Energy bills in the UK have risen sharply over the last few years, and for those of us living in apartments, the challenge feels even more personal. You can’t always control the building’s insulation or the efficiency of the shared heating system, yet you’re still the one paying the bill. I’ve spent years covering personal finance and property, and the question I hear most often from flat-dwellers is simple: “What can I actually do about it?” The answer, as it turns out, is quite a lot — but it requires a different approach than what works for a house.
That last figure — 35% of flat renters feeling powerless over their own heating — is the one that sticks with me. It tells me the problem isn’t just about price. It’s about control. Whether you own your apartment or rent it, there are practical, low-cost changes that can make a real dent in your bills without requiring permission from a landlord or a full renovation. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Before we get into the details, it’s worth understanding how your choice of appliances — even something as simple as a fridge — can affect your monthly energy use. A smart power strip, for example, can cut standby power waste from your TV, games console, and kitchen gadgets by switching them off completely when not in use. A Wi-Fi water leak detector is another small investment that can prevent a costly hidden drip from wasting heated water and driving up your bill.
What “sustainable apartment living” actually means for your bills
The phrase gets thrown around a lot, but here’s the practical version: it means using less energy without making your home uncomfortable. For a flat, that’s a different game than a house. You have less roof space for solar panels, fewer walls for external insulation, and often a shared heating system you can’t modify. So the focus shifts to what you can control — your own behaviour, your gadgets, and the small physical changes that don’t need planning permission.
I’ve seen people spend hundreds on “eco” gadgets that save them a tenner a year. That’s not sustainable — it’s just expensive. The real wins come from the boring stuff: stopping draughts, using your heating controls properly, and understanding how your building actually works. If you’re renting, your first move should be to check your tenancy agreement for any restrictions on changes. Understanding your lease contract can save you from accidentally breaching terms while trying to save money.
Why your flat leaks money — and who it hits hardest
Flats lose heat faster than houses because they have more external wall area relative to their volume. A top-floor flat loses heat through the roof. A ground-floor flat loses it through the floor. And any flat with single glazing is basically heating the outdoors. According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing alone can save around £140 a year — and that’s before you touch the thermostat.
Consider this scenario: you live in a mid-terrace flat built in the 1970s with single-glazed windows and an electric storage heater. Your annual bill is around £2,500. By adding draught excluders to the front door, sealing the window frames with self-adhesive foam tape, and putting a thermal liner behind your curtains, you could cut that bill by roughly 10–15% — about £250–£375 a year. The materials cost less than £50.
What I tend to notice is that renters in older buildings are hit hardest. They can’t replace windows or upgrade the boiler. But they can use radiator reflector panels — foil sheets that sit behind the radiator and bounce heat back into the room instead of letting it soak into the wall. Those cost about £10 each and can improve radiator efficiency by up to 10%. If you’re in a flat with a communal heating system, you might not even have a meter for your individual usage. That’s a different problem entirely, and one worth raising with your landlord or management company.
If you’re in a flat where you can’t control the heating times, a carbon monoxide alarm with a digital display is a sensible safety addition — especially if you’re using portable heaters or a gas cooker to supplement the heating. It won’t save you money directly, but it lets you use alternative heat sources safely, which can be a lifeline in older buildings.
Where people go wrong — and what to do instead
I’ve watched well-meaning flat-dwellers throw money at the wrong problems for years. Here are the most common mistakes I see, and how to fix them.
Buying expensive gadgets before fixing the basics
A smart thermostat is great, but if your windows are draughty, you’re still heating the street. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that up to 24% of heat is lost through single-glazed windows. No amount of smart tech will fix that. Fix the fabric first: seal gaps, add curtains, use reflector panels. Then think about automation.
Ignoring the water heating settings
Most combi boilers in UK flats are set to heat water to 70°C. Dropping that to 55°C can save around 6–8% on your gas bill, according to industry estimates. You won’t notice the difference in your shower, but your wallet will. The setting is usually a dial or digital menu on the boiler itself. If you’re renting, ask your landlord before changing it — but most are fine with it.
Heating empty rooms
If you have radiators in rooms you rarely use, turn them off or down to frost protection mode. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you set each room independently. A set of basic TRVs costs about £15–£30 and can be fitted in minutes. If you’re renting, you can buy clip-on TRVs that don’t require any plumbing changes. Disagreements over heating are a common source of flatmate friction, and individual room controls can solve that without arguments.
Leaving appliances on standby
Standby power accounts for roughly 5–10% of household electricity use, according to the Energy Saving Trust. That’s about £30–£60 a year for a typical flat. A smart power strip cuts power to devices when they’re not in use. Plug your TV, soundbar, games console, and phone charger into one, and switch it off when you leave the room.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Fix | Cost | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|
| Draught-proofing (windows + doors) | £20–£50 | £140 |
| Radiator reflector panels | £10–£20 | £30–£50 |
| Thermal curtains | £30–£80 | £50–£100 |
| Smart power strip | £15–£30 | £30–£60 |
If you’re dealing with a flat that has poor insulation and you’re on a tight budget, a smoke alarm with a 10-year battery is a non-negotiable safety item — especially if you’re using portable heaters or electric blankets to stay warm. Safety always comes before savings.
Your practical guide to cutting energy bills in a flat
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Start with a draught audit
Walk around your flat on a windy day with a lit incense stick or a piece of tissue paper. Hold it near window frames, door edges, letterboxes, and keyholes. If the smoke or paper moves, you’ve found a draught. Seal it with self-adhesive foam tape for windows, a brush strip for the bottom of doors, and a letterbox flap cover. This is the highest-return activity you can do — it costs under £20 and can save you £140 a year.
Optimise your heating schedule
If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to turn the heating on 30 minutes before you wake up and off 30 minutes before you leave. Do the same for the evening. If you work from home, heat only the room you’re in. A smart thermostat like a Hive or Nest can learn your schedule and adjust automatically, but even a basic timer will do the job. If you’re renting and can’t change the thermostat, ask your landlord — many will allow it if you offer to cover the cost.
Use your windows strategically
On sunny winter days, open your curtains on south-facing windows to let in free solar heat. Close them at dusk to trap that heat inside. Thermal-lined curtains are best, but even heavy regular curtains make a difference. If you have blinds, lower them at night to create an extra air gap between the glass and the room. This single habit can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 25%.
Check your water temperature and boiler pressure
Most combi boilers are set too high from the factory. Lower the water temperature to 55°C for heating and 50°C for hot water. You’ll save gas without noticing any difference in comfort. Also check the boiler pressure — it should be between 1 and 1.5 bar when cold. If it’s lower, the system may be less efficient. Topping it up is simple: look for the filling loop (usually a silver braided hose) and open the valve until the pressure rises. If you’re unsure, ask your landlord or a gas-safe engineer.
Consider a smart radiator valve for problem rooms
If one room in your flat is always too hot or too cold, a smart radiator valve can balance the system. It lets you set a specific temperature for that room, independent of the main thermostat. This is especially useful for flats with a single thermostat in the hallway that can’t sense the temperature in your bedroom or living room. Installation takes about five minutes — unscrew the old valve head, screw on the new one, and pair it with the app.
If you’re dealing with a persistent issue like a radiator that won’t heat up properly, it might be worth speaking to a tenant-landlord lawyer if your landlord isn’t responding to repair requests. You have rights, and sometimes a legal nudge is the only way to get a broken heating system fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a smart thermostat in a rented flat? ▾
Will draught-proofing cause condensation problems? ▾
What if my flat has electric storage heaters? ▾
Is it worth getting a smart meter for a flat? ▾
Can I claim any government help for energy bills? ▾
If you’re struggling with a landlord who won’t address energy efficiency issues, a home security starter kit with outdoor cameras can at least give you peace of mind about the property’s safety while you sort out the heating. It’s not a direct solution to high bills, but feeling secure in your home matters just as much.
One thing you can do today
Walk around your flat with a candle or incense stick and find every draught. Seal them with foam tape or a door brush. That one hour of work could save you more than £100 this year. Then check your boiler’s water temperature setting and turn it down if it’s above 55°C. Those two actions alone will put you ahead of most flat-dwellers in the UK. If this was useful, you might also want to read how to negotiate rent like a pro in the UK.
Sources and Further Reading
Short-term let or long-term lease: weighing your UK rental options — If you’re considering moving to a more energy-efficient flat, this guide compares the costs and flexibility of different rental arrangements.
Draught-proofing advice. Energy Saving Trust, 2024.
Windows and doors energy saving guide. Energy Saving Trust, 2024.
Energy price cap explained. Ofgem, 2024.
Get help paying your energy bills. Citizens Advice, 2024.
