Where to Start News
Where do you start with cutting your energy bills? Is it worth switching supplier or tariff, and what do you need before you can switch? Should you get a smart meter, and what help is there if you are struggling to pay?
Every getting started story we have reported, newest first: switching, meters, bills, tariffs and support. Each one links to our guides on the first steps to take.
- July 2026
£5 million allocated to Nest scheme, taking total to £37 million this year
The Welsh Government has added £5 million to the Nest scheme, taking its total to £37 million this financial year, as part of a £17 million injection into housing retrofit.
Energy Saving Trust publishes analysis on clean home upgrade savings
Energy Saving Trust analysis says clean home upgrades can save households up to £800 a year, as it sets out five policy pillars for the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan.
- June 2026
NEA publishes Clearing the Decks paper on energy debt
National Energy Action has published Clearing the Decks, a paper arguing that record energy debt of £4.79 billion raises bills for all households, as the price cap rises 13 per cent on 1 July 2026.
ECIU report quantifies household savings from net zero technologies
A report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates a typical household with insulation, a heat pump, solar with a battery and an electric vehicle saves almost £1,600 in 2026.
- May 2026
Which? updates loft insulation costs and savings guidance
Which? has updated its loft insulation guidance, publishing Energy Saving Trust savings figures of up to £340 a year and RICS cost data for professionally fitted insulation.
Energy Saving Trust updates cavity and solid wall cost and savings figures
The Energy Saving Trust's cavity and solid wall guides, updated May and June 2026, put average cavity wall insulation at £2,700 with £200 annual savings on a semi-detached home.
- March 2026
Nest crisis route for boiler repair or replacement scheduled to end
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the one-off crisis route within its Warm Homes Nest scheme, which helps eligible households with no heating or hot water, currently runs only until March 2026.
- December 2025
North East Mayor launches free energy advice service for the region
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has launched North East Warm Homes, a free energy advice service funded by the North East Combined Authority as part of a £4m initiative.
- October 2025
Low Carbon Hub publishes Your Home Retrofit Guide
Low Carbon Hub has published a free plain-English guide to home retrofit, covering quick wins, planning, funding and local support for households in Oxfordshire and beyond.
CSE launches Energy Choices Tool
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has launched the Energy Choices Tool, a website giving independent advice on smart energy options tailored to individual circumstances, funded by two electricity distribution networks.
- September 2025
FMB publishes homeowner guide to creating an energy efficient home
The Federation of Master Builders has published a homeowner guide to energy efficiency, advising that work starts with the fabric of the home and follows a whole house retrofit approach.
SSEN begins real-world trials of Electricity Supply Checker
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has begun real-world customer trials of an Electricity Supply Checker in Swindon and South Oxfordshire, telling households whether their connection can support heat pumps and EV chargers.
- August 2025
ECIU analysis finds poorly insulated homes £570 worse off under price cap
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds homes rated EPC Band F pay £570 more a year than Band C homes under October 2025 price cap prices, with around half a million homes affected.
Welsh Government budgets £35 million for Nest scheme this financial year
The Welsh Government has budgeted £35 million this financial year for the Warm Homes Nest scheme, published alongside figures showing 340,000 Welsh households in fuel poverty in October 2024.
- February 2025
NEA polling finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy
National Energy Action polling with YouGov finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy, as Ofgem raises the price cap 6.4% to £1,849 a year for a typical household from 1 April.
- January 2025
Nest publishes 2023-24 annual report
Nest has published its 2023-24 annual report, showing 4,816 Welsh households received home energy improvement packages and 12,809 received free energy saving advice.
ivie publishes its Ultimate Energy Saving Guide
ivie has published a free PDF energy saving guide covering savings room by room, home efficiency basics and a list of energy saving products, aimed at UK households facing high bills.
- November 2024
Nesta and CNZ trial finds remote control of heat pumps cuts peak electricity use
A Nesta and Centre for Net Zero trial found that remotely controlling heat pumps during peak periods cut heat pump electricity use by 74% and household electricity use by 32%, with most participants satisfied.
- October 2024
NEA responds to Autumn Budget 2024 warning on energy bills and debt
National Energy Action said the Autumn Budget will not reduce the effect of unaffordable energy bills or record energy debt this winter, warning of likely bill rises in January.
NEA announces delivery of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures with the four gas distribution networks
National Energy Action has announced delivery of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a £12.2 million programme with the four gas distribution networks, intended to reach around 30,000 vulnerable people.
GetAHeatPump.org.uk guidance website launched
Nesta and the MCS Foundation have launched GetAHeatPump.org.uk, a non-commercial guidance site for householders, supported by Which UK? and the Energy Saving Trust.
New crisis route introduced for households without heating or hot water
The Welsh Government has added a crisis route to the Warm Homes Nest scheme, giving one-off emergency repairs to households with no heating or hot water who meet the scheme's eligibility rules.
DEEP research finds solid wall insulation can cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent
Research led by Leeds Beckett University has found that insulating the UK's eight million solid walled homes could cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent, with solid wall insulation the single most effective measure studied.
Green Homes Wales pilot launched in autumn 2024
The Green Homes Wales pilot, launched in autumn 2024, has offered households above the Nest and ECO4 income thresholds advice, interest-free finance and vetted retrofit experts.
- September 2024
NEA and YouGov survey finds 46% of GB adults likely to ration energy this winter
A National Energy Action and YouGov survey has found that 46 per cent of adults in Great Britain are likely to ration their energy use this winter, as the price cap rises 10 per cent.
Which? launches free home energy planning service
Which? has launched a free online home energy planning service giving households a personalised improvement plan, estimated costs and savings, grant checks and access to vetted installers.
Home Energy Scotland launches Community Analytics report pilot
Home Energy Scotland has introduced a Community Analytics report and opened a 2024-25 pilot offering the tool to up to 20 community groups across Scotland.
Polling finds 40% of Northern Ireland households in fuel poverty
Polling carried out for National Energy Action NI in September 2024 indicated that as many as 40 per cent of households in Northern Ireland were living in fuel poverty.
- August 2024
ECIU analysis finds EPC band F homes face bills around £330 a year higher than band C under October price cap
ECIU analysis of Ofgem's October 2024 price cap finds homes rated EPC band F pay around £330 a year more for gas than band C homes, and around £630 more across both fuels.
- July 2024
SGN publishes article on fuel poverty support partnerships
SGN has set out how its Safe and Warm Community Scheme with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and its Safe and Warm programme with Citizens Advice Scotland are reaching households in fuel poverty.