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Energy Guides

Looking for more information about energy? Whether you’re thinking about switching providers or have a query about gas or electricity, our expert energy guides can give you the answers you’re looking for. Browse all our energy guides below.

How the Iran conflict could affect UK energy bills in 2026

30th Mar 2026:
From April 2026, energy bills will go down due to policy changes. At the same time, UK gas prices have more than doubled since late February. What does this mean for you?

Why the £150 bill cut means you should switch today

6 Feb 2026:
On 26 November 2025, Rachel Reeves handed us her Autumn Budget. Lots of big announcements, but here’s the headline: from April 2026, the average home will save around £150 a year on energy.

Wind energy explained

How does wind power work in the UK?

20 Jan 2026 : As we look for cleaner, more sustainable ways to power our lives, wind energy has quickly become one of the most promising solutions.

A guide to underfloor heating

Costs, benefits and is it worth it?

21 Jan 2026 : Getting out of bed or off the couch on a cold day and setting your feet down on a warm floor can feel like a luxury.

Can I switch energy suppliers if I owe money?

A complete guide

4 Nov 2025 : With energy costs being one of the biggest regular household expenses, falling into debt with your supplier can feel very stressful.

Energy back billing rules

Protection for UK households

3 Nov 2025 : It can be a shock to receive an energy bill for a lot more than you were expecting.

How to get power cut compensation in the UK

3 Nov 2025 : Although the UK’s power network is, on the whole, reliable and stable, faults and outages do occasionally occur.

Green energy icon

How does tidal energy work?

How the ocean is generating clean electricity. 3rd Dec 2025: As the push for cleaner energy continues to grow, tidal turbines are leading the charge

Energy, car charging, parked, drive-way.

EV Home Charger Installation Costs for 2026

29 Nov 2025 :If you've made the switch to an electric car, or you're planning to soon, the next question is usually: how do I charge it easily and affordably?

An image showing there is no place like home on a cushion and a homely living room

What Temperature Should Your House Be?

Finding the Ideal Temperature for Day and Night. 28 Nov 2025 : Keeping your home at the right temperature is one of those small everyday decisions that has a big impact.

How to Sell Electricity Back to the Grid in the UK

12 Sep 2025 : If you have solar panels, you can earn extra income by selling your surplus energy back to the grid.

Is natural gas renewable? Everything you need to know

15 Sep 2025: Finding more sustainable ways to generate energy is more important than ever.

What is Carbon Capture and Storage?

21 Aug 2025 : As we all try to do our part in tackling climate change, carbon capture and storage is one technology helping to make a real difference.

What is vampire energy?

The worst phantom energy devices to be aware of

7 Oct 2025 : Vampire energy is the power your appliances use when they’re plugged in but not in active use, even if they’re switched off.

How to set up or switch gas and electricity suppliers when renting

16 July 2025 : The contract’s been signed, the deposit’s been put down, and you’re ready to get packing.

solar energy, roof panel

How Do Solar Panels Work? A Simple Guide to Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the most sustainable ways to reduce your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint, and it’s becoming more accessible than ever.

How to insulate a house to save money and energy

As energy prices continue to climb, home insulation is becoming more and more of an essential part of saving energy and money in the home.

Where to put a carbon monoxide detector to stay safe at home

When it comes to home safety, some risks are easier to spot than others – but carbon monoxide, unfortunately, isn’t one of them.

solar energy, roof panel

Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK? A Breakdown of Costs and Savings

With energy prices still high and more people looking for ways to cut household bills, interest in solar panels has soared across the UK.

A Guide to electric car charging Everything you need to know about EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche trend – they’re firmly part of the UK’s driving landscape.

What are greenhouse gases? and how to reduce your carbon footprint

When talking about them out of context, greenhouse gases can be neither good nor bad – it’s the amount of them in the atmosphere that counts.

family outside house

What is an electrical safety certificate? How to get one and why you need it

An electrical safety certificate is an essential document that verifies your home’s electrical system is safe.

Fixed vs variable energy tariffs

21 Jan 2025 - Which is best for your home? When choosing an energy tariff, you've probably seen the terms 'fixed' and 'variable' floating around

Cold Weather Payments

What They Are and How to Apply for Them : 5 Feb 2025: Worrying about your energy bills can leave you feeling left out in the cold – in more ways than one?

A business person engaging with their smart meter data

What is an EPC?

A Simple Guide to Energy Performance Certificates : 3 Feb 2025 - Ever wondered how energy-efficient your home is? Well, an energy performance certificate, or EPC, could give you the answers you're looking for.

Where Does Electricity Actually Come From? Its Journey to Your Home

Electricity powers nearly every aspect of our daily lives, but most of us rarely stop to think about how it’s made or the journey it takes to reach our homes.

How to Take Over Energy Utilities When Moving Home

11 Jun 2025: What happens to your gas and electricity when you move home?

How Do Smart Thermostats Work? A Smart Home Heating Guide

Once just a dusty dial stuck to the wall, the thermostat is now an essential part of the modern home. A compact, intelligent piece of technology, it gives you complete control over your heating.

What are MPAN and MPRN Energy Meter Numbers?

MPAN and MPRN can seem confusing when you’re trying to decipher your energy bill. And that’s where this guide comes in – it’s your one-stop shop for not just understanding MPAN and MPRN, but learning how to use them to your advantage.

What is Net Zero?

You may have heard the phrase ‘net zero’ being brought up in the news often, recently. But what exactly does it mean, and why are we talking about it more and more?

40 energy saving tips

23 July 2024 - Whether you want to reduce your utility bills or contribute to a greener planet, adopting energy-efficient habits can make a significant difference. At UW, we're committed to helping you achieve these goals.

Is Electricity Cheaper at Night? How Off-Peak Energy Works

16 Mar 2026 - When it comes to lowering your energy bills, timing can be everything. So, is electricity cheaper at night?

What Uses Gas In The Home? and How to Reduce Your Gas Bill

21 Jan 2025 - With energy prices fluctuating regularly, it’s no surprise that more and more people want to know how to keep their bills in check.

What is a DNO? How to find who your Distribution Network Operator is

8th may 2025: Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are the companies that own and manage the wires and substations that supply electricity to homes and businesses across the UK.

The Great British Insulation Scheme : What is it and who can apply?

There's nothing worse than a home that takes forever to heat up on a cold day. Poor insulation doesn't just leave you shivering — it also means you're spending more on energy than needed.

Customer service agent _purple circle background

Get help with your energy bills : Support programs and schemes

Gas and electricity prices have been fluctuating significantly for the last few years, making managing household expenses more challenging than ever for families across the UK – particularly when it comes to energy bills.

How to Use Central Heating Economically and Save on Your Energy Bill

Since home heating and hot water contribute to an estimated 50% of energy bills, we’re sharing practical tips on how to use your central heating system more economically.

How Do Storage Heaters Work?

Here’s Everything You Need to Know : 29 Apr 2025 - There's nothing worse than a cold house — but if you're not connected to a gas supply, you might be worried about the higher energy costs that come with electric heating.

Which Household Appliances Use The Most Electricity?

9 Oct 2024 - Energy bills can creep up on us, especially when we don't realise which household gadgets and appliances are silently guzzling electricity in the background

How to Bleed a Radiator

26th Sep 2024 - Got your heating on full whack, but somehow your home still feels cold? Can you feel cold spots on your radiators? It might be time to bleed them.

What is an Economy 7 Meter and Tariff?

23 Oct 2024 - Navigating the complex world of energy tariffs can feel like a daunting task, but understanding your options is crucial for keeping your household bills under control.

Preparing for Winter with Prepayment Meters

Summer is great for many reasons – sun, holidays, and lower bills. But as the colder months come around, you start sticking the radiator on and bills inevitably start creeping up again.

What is a kWh and how much is it?

Understanding gas and electricity costs:
Ever looked at your energy bill and wondered, 'What is a kWh?'. Don't worry, you're not alone.

What Are Standing Charges for Gas and Electricity?

Have you ever looked at your energy bill and wondered what all of your fees actually mean?

Energy efficiency tips for your boiler

Taking care of your boiler will help keep your home energy efficient. UW can help you with this. Check out our top tips today.

Who Supplies My Gas and Electricity?

13 Mar 2026 - How to Find Your Energy Provider? Just moved into a new property? Find out who supplies your gas and electricity with our simple guide.

The impact of rising wholesale energy costs

Wholesale energy costs have more than doubled over the last 12 months, however UW is fully committed to provide fair prices to our customers.

What the UK energy crisis means for energy suppliers and customers in 2021

The wholesale price of gas has increased significantly during 2021.

Ways to save a little more with UW during the energy crisis

We recognise that some UK families are facing a serious challenge. Rises to wholesale energy costs are affecting energy bills on top of other cost-of-living rises.

A Complete Guide to Smart Meters: What They Are And How They Can Save You Money

Nobody likes having high energy bills – we can all agree on that. Which is why knowing how to be more efficient and reduce your usage is super important.

An icon of multiple coins

Utility Warehouse launches new three-service Fixed Saver 13 tariff £208 below the price cap

1st February 2024 - Multiservice supplier offers customers the chance to lock in energy rates at £1,720 until March 2025

Cup - duplicated (Lui updating)

Utility Warehouse secures highest overall score in Which? annual energy firm rankings

UW ranked top of Which? Energy Supplier Rankings ahead of 17 other suppliers

The energy price cap explained following the recent price increase

On 1st October, the new energy price cap set by the Government came into effect, bringing a rise to energy prices.

Why wholesale energy prices have been rising and what tariff is better for you

Wholesale energy prices – the prices suppliers pay to buy energy – have risen by about 250% since January.