A father-of-two from the West Midlands has shared how a straightforward change to his daily routine is saving his family a significant £240 a year on their energy bills.
The power of a smart meter check
Luke Denley, a 43-year-old secondary school teacher, made the discovery after diligently tracking his usage. A self-confessed savings enthusiast for two decades, Luke checks his smart meter weekly to spot trends and potential cuts. "When my bill started creeping up with the cost of living crisis, I knew I was paying too much," Luke explained. He and his wife decided they needed to be wiser with their energy consumption.
Identifying the hidden energy drain
Luke uses multiple appliances, including a heated airer, washing machine, and television, and runs his dishwasher and tumble dryer on overnight schedules. To understand his usage, he employed a phone app to monitor individual devices. "It took me a while to realise which devices were sucking up the most energy," he admitted. The culprit? His router extender was using far more power than he had ever realised. The simple act of switching it off when not needed became his key habit.
Substantial savings for family life
By combining this new habit with participation in Octopus Energy's Saving Sessions, Luke has managed to reduce his monthly energy bill by £20. His typical bill was around £130. "My twin boys don't come cheap," Luke said, noting that the extra £240 a year now goes towards family treats like Christmas, birthdays, and meals out. "We just try to enjoy life with the extra money." His story highlights how small, conscious actions, supported by technology like smart meters, can lead to substantial financial relief for UK households.
