The 2026 World Cup offers the chance for millions of people in the UK to save money by watching football matches at night, mainly because 55 games are set to be played after 10pm British Summer Time (BST).

How? By using a time-of-use energy tariff that gives them cheaper energy during off-peak hours. While there are reports about energy surges during matches and concerns about how the grid might cope, there are ways to cut your costs.

This might seem strange, but it makes sense. Because of the time difference between the UK and the host countries, the US, Canada and Mexico, there are going to be 13 kick-off times, depending on where the match takes place. 

These times stretch from 5pm and 5am, with most games starting at either 8pm or 2am. 

Inconvenient for most, but a great chance to save money through one of the time-of-use tariffs on offer from the major energy companies, such as Octopus, EDF, or British Gas. 

A time-of-use tariff is an energy pricing offer where the cost of electricity depends on the time of day it is used instead of a regular flat rate where you pay the same regardless of the time. 

In short, a time-of-use energy tariff lets you use electricity at times of the day when it is cheaper. When is electricity cheaper? During off-peak times, which are usually from 10pm until 8am, these depend on the provider and type of tariff. 

This could be really helpful if you’re planning to watch matches that will kick-off in the middle of the night. 

For instance, Scotland’s opening match against Haiti on 14th June kicks off at 2am. Their two other group stage games, against Morocco on 19th June and Brazil on the 24th, both start at 11pm.

Using energy during off-peak hours could cost 8p per kilowatt hour (KwH), whereas doing so in peak time, usually between 4pm-7pm, could cost as much as 45p per KwH. That isn’t to say the cost savings from watching your TV would be as great, your TV isn’t a huge energy consumer (it’s about 5% of your overall consumption), but it will save you something. 

However, if you do have your TV on at 2am, you’ll also be using other appliances, such as your lights, your phone charger (likely), and possibly your kitchen if you’re making food to have during the game. 

Are all time-of-use tariffs the same?

No, not all time-of-use tariffs are the same. There are two types of time-of-use tariffs: static and smart. A static time-of-use tariff offers cheap energy at the same time every day for a seven-hour period, although some last for between 8 and 10 hours. 

Smart time-of-use tariffs are different in that the price you pay will be different depending on real-time supply and demand, with the price sometimes, but not always, changing as often as every half an hour. They’re designed to reward flexibility and can help you save loads on your energy bills. If you want to use a smart time-of-use tariff, you will need a smart meter. 

One thing that makes smart time-of-use tariffs even more effective is when you have a home storage battery, as this lets you store energy when prices are at their lowest and then use them during peak hours.

Which World Cup games will be played at night?

Thursday 11 June
South Korea vs Czechia — 3am (Guadalajara)
Friday 12 June
USA vs Paraguay — 2am (Los Angeles)
Saturday 13 June
Brazil vs Morocco — 11pm (New York/New Jersey)
Haiti vs Scotland — 2am (Boston)
Australia vs Turkey — 5am (Vancouver)
Sunday 14 June
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — 12am (Philadelphia)
Sweden vs Tunisia — 3am (Monterrey)
Monday 15 June
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — 11pm (Miami)
Iran vs New Zealand — 2am (Los Angeles)
Tuesday 16 June
Iraq vs Norway — 11pm (Boston)
Argentina vs Algeria — 2am (Kansas City)
Austria vs Jordan — 5am (San Francisco)
Wednesday 17 June
Ghana vs Panama — 12am (Toronto)
Uzbekistan vs Colombia — 3am (Mexico City)
Thursday 18 June
Canada vs Qatar — 11pm (Vancouver)
Mexico vs South Korea — 2am (Guadalajara)
Friday 19 June
Scotland vs Morocco — 11pm (Boston)
Brazil vs Haiti — 2am (Philadelphia)
Turkey vs Paraguay — 5am (San Francisco)
Saturday 20 June
Ecuador vs Curacao — 1am (Kansas City)
Tunisia vs Japan — 5am (Monterrey)
Sunday 21 June
Uruguay vs Cape Verde — 11pm (Miami)
New Zealand vs Egypt — 2am (Vancouver)
Monday 22 June
France vs Iraq — 10pm (Philadelphia)
Norway vs Senegal — 1am (New York/New Jersey)
Jordan vs Algeria — 4am (San Francisco)
Tuesday 23 June
Panama vs Croatia — 12am (Toronto)
Colombia vs DR Congo — 3am (Guadalajara)
Wednesday 24 June
Scotland vs Brazil — 11pm (Miami)
Morocco vs Haiti — 11pm (Atlanta)
Czechia vs Mexico — 2am (Mexico City)
South Africa vs South Korea — 2am (Monterrey)
Thursday 25 June
Japan vs Sweden — 12am (Dallas)
Tunisia vs Netherlands — 12am (Kansas City)
Turkey vs USA — 3am (Los Angeles)
Paraguay vs Australia — 3am (San Francisco)
Friday 26 June
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — 1am (Houston)
Uruguay vs Spain — 1am (Guadalajara)
Egypt vs Iran — 4am (Seattle)
New Zealand vs Belgium — 4am (Vancouver)
Saturday 27 June
Panama vs England — 10pm (New York/New Jersey)

Knockout Stage Night Games

Round of 32

• Winner F vs Runner-up C — 2am, 30 June (Monterrey)
• Winner I vs best 3rd — 10pm, 30 June (New York/New Jersey)
• Winner A vs best 3rd — 2am, 1 July (Mexico City)
• Winner G vs best 3rd — 9pm, 1 July (Seattle)
• Winner D vs best 3rd — 1am, 2 July (San Francisco)
• Runner-up K vs Runner-up L — 12am, 3 July (Toronto)
• Winner B vs best 3rd — 4am, 3 July (Vancouver)
• Winner J vs Runner-up H — 11pm, 3 July (Miami)
• Winner K vs best 3rd — 2:30am, 4 July (Kansas City)

Round of 16

• Philadelphia match — 10pm, 4 July
• Mexico City match — 1am, 6 July
• Seattle match — 1am, 7 July

Quarter-Finals

• Kansas City match — 2am, 12 July

Third-Place Play-Off

Miami — 10pm, 18 July

Round of 32
Winner F vs Runner-up C — 2am, 30 June (Monterrey)
Winner I vs best 3rd — 10pm, 30 June (New York/New Jersey)
Winner A vs best 3rd — 2am, 1 July (Mexico City)
Winner G vs best 3rd — 9pm, 1 July (Seattle)
Winner D vs best 3rd — 1am, 2 July (San Francisco)
Runner-up K vs Runner-up L — 12am, 3 July (Toronto)
Winner B vs best 3rd — 4am, 3 July (Vancouver)
Winner J vs Runner-up H — 11pm, 3 July (Miami)
Winner K vs best 3rd — 2:30am, 4 July (Kansas City)
Round of 16
Philadelphia match — 10pm, 4 July
Mexico City match — 1am, 6 July
Seattle match — 1am, 7 July
Quarter-Finals
Kansas City match — 2am, 12 July
Third-Place Play-Off
Miami — 10pm, 18 July

All these matches are an opportunity to save money by switching to a time-of-use tariff because with each one you can cut your energy costs by more than half while watching.

One thing to remember though, time-of-use tariffs will work best when you have:

• heat pumps – because heat pumps let you preheat your home at those cheap hours. This will naturally work best when you have insulation.
• home battery – having a battery means that you can load up on cheap energy at night and then use it during the day, avoiding high costs altogether.

The post How to save energy while watching the World Cup appeared first on The Eco Experts.

It’s been over a week since the July-September energy price cap was announced, and we’re pleased to say that the government has reacted by refreshing the UK’s renewable energy commitment and pledging to cut  emissions by 87% by 2042. 

This new target means the UK will move faster in its bid to cut ties with fossil fuels, which the government says is “the best choice” to reduce the exposure of families to shocks in the energy market. 

This is great, particularly as an agreement between the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. 

It also follows a record-breaking time for renewable energy. In March, the UK enjoyed the highest monthly numbers for solar panel and EV installations. 

In fact, 90% of the best performing months for solar roll out have happened in the past year, which shows how quickly households in the UK are moving towards renewables as an alternative to expensive and unstable gas. 

Will this continue? We certainly think so, especially if we’re set to have more heatwaves in the coming years. The government’s support of clean energy is encouraging, and hopefully they’ll let us know more about the Warm Homes Plan soon. 

Government unveils Seventh Carbon Plan

The government has said it plans to cut the UK’s emissions by 87% in the years from 2038-2042. This is in response to ballooning energy bills and two major energy crises: Ukraine, and the Strait of Hormuz. The government says families could save around £500 a year by installing solar panels. Let’s hope their upcoming Warm Homes Plan helps meet demand. 

Octopus Energy’s green energy tariff to cut Welsh energy bills by £200

The UK’s largest energy provider has launched Tenant Power, a new green energy tariff to help social households cut their energy bills. Essentially, buildings equipped with solar panels and a compatible battery system will be able to generate their own energy and sell what they don’t use back to the grid. Octopus Energy claims this will cut bills by 30%. 

National Grid plans to ramp up clean energy upgrade

National Grid is trying to get permission for a set of 25 investment upgrades across England and Wales as it tries to help households make the most of clean energy. The plans, which need to be given the go-ahead by Ofgem, would make it easier to transport clean energy from power generation sites to people’s homes, data centres and industrial areas. Together they would cost £4.5bn and are part of the bigger £70bn 2030 upgrade. 

Could your building or EV run on solar windows?

It’s certainly possible. Researchers in Singapore have developed an ultrathin translucent solar cell that can transform windows into solar generators. We’re probably not going to see this rolled out too soon, but with the way solar is taking over the energy mix, it’s not farfetched to imagine it happening one day.  

Red tape on loft conversions to be cut

It’s not only solar panels and heat pumps that can help you cut your energy bills. Insulation is also really important and often the first step in any home improvement. That’s why it’s great that the government is aiming to cut red tape. In this case, councils will be informed that planning permission on small installations should be made by a planning officer, not a committee, which should speed things up. 

Average price of clean technology

Solar PV system: £7,679.00

Solar storage battery: £9,301.85

Air source heat pump: £13,658.42

Ground source heat pump: £20.402.51

Number of the week

£200

That’s how much Octopus Energy thinks they can cut energy bills in Wales with their new green energy tariff. 

Sources

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-security-jobs-and-investment-boost-through-climate-action
• https://octopus.energy/press/more-news-press-releases/amp-ing-up-savings-tenant-power-arrives-in-wales-cutting-energy-bills-for-social-homes-by-pound200-a-year/ 
• https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/eastern-green-link-5
• https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/near-invisible-ultrathin-solar-cells-that-could-turn-windows-into-power-generators

The post Govt makes huge new clean energy pledge with new Carbon Budget appeared first on The Eco Experts.

Buildings could soon be used to generate clean energy thanks to a new type of ultrathin solar cell that can be placed into windows. 

The discovery, made by scientists from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore, paves the way to a future where an electric vehicle (EV) can charge via its sunroof while parked under the sun, or wearable devices such as smart glasses or watches can use sunlight to charge via minute solar panel cells.

Led by Associate Professor Annalisa Bruno, the researchers created a perovskite (PV) solar cell  50 times thinner than conventional PV cells. To put it in perspective, that’s around 10,000 times thinner than a strand of human hair. 

The semi-transparent PV solar cells recorded 7.6% efficiency, meaning it converted 7.6% of the sunlight it absorbed into electricity. The opaque cells recorded efficiency levels as high as 12%. 

The cells’ power to generate renewable energy while allowing natural light to pass through means they can be used in a lot of different areas, such as buildings, industrial areas or vehicles. 

One of the researchers, Dr Luke White, said it  “opens up new possibilities for sustainable architecture, such as tinted windows that generate electricity.”

As well as the fact they can be used on-the-go (in the sunroof of an EV, for instance), the solar cells are also colour-neutral and transparent enough to be put onto windows and building fronts without significant aesthetic changes. 

Associate Professor Bruno, Cluster Director for renewables, low-carbon solutions and energy storage, who conducted the experiments at the Energy Research Institute, explained that “the built environment accounts for roughly 40% of global energy consumption, so technologies that seamlessly convert buildings’ surfaces into power-generating assets are gaining urgency.”

She added that the “perovskite solar cells offer distinct advantages as they can be manufactured using simple processes at relatively low temperatures. 

“They can also be tuned to absorb specific wavelengths while remaining transparent, and could potentially be scaled over large areas, reducing their carbon footprint.” 

In contrast to traditional silicon solar technology, these perovskite-based cells can harvest energy from diffused or indirect light. This  makes them particularly effective for cities, where cloud cover and vertical architecture often restricts direct sunlight. 

Should the technology be expanded at its current efficiency, buildings with expansive glass exteriors could be repurposed as functional surfaces for capturing solar energy. In Singapore, initial projections indicate that applying these cells to a  structure like the Marina Bay Sands has the potential to produce hundreds of megawatt-hours of power each year. This amount of power generation would be comparable to the yearly electricity needs of approximately 100 four-room public housing flats.

Professor Sam Stranks, Professor of Energy Materials and Optoelectronics at the University of Cambridge, said: “Semi-transparent perovskite solar cells are an exciting route to harvesting energy from surfaces that are difficult to use with conventional silicon panels, such as windows, façades and lightweight electronics. 

“The results reported here show a promising balance between transparency and power generation in very thin devices, while the next critical tests will be long-term stability, durability and performance over larger areas.”

The post Invisible ultrathin solar cells could power EVs and buildings appeared first on The Eco Experts.

Watch episode 16 of Positive Energy – powered by The Eco Experts, with Michael Braybrook, Managing Director UK at Zaptec, in conversation with Sam Pamphlon

For episode 16 of The Positive Energy podcast, we’re proud to welcome Michael Braybrook, Managing Director UK at Zaptec, to speak about electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers in the UK.

Michael is responsible for running Zaptec in the UK. Right now he’s focused on the upcoming debut of the Zaptec Go 2, an AC charger equipped with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. His big ambition is to revolutionise EV charging and help people understand how they work.

“If you do 15,000 miles a year and drive a nice vehicle, it’s probably going to cost you between £2,500 – £3,000 a year,” Michael told us. With a home EV charger, “that could go down to as little as £360 a year,” he said. 

Zaptec, a Norwegian manufacturer, produces intelligent and accessible EV charging solutions for both residential and commercial applications. Although the firm initially focused on space technology, it has since shifted to EVs. Recently, Zaptec collaborated with British Gas to launch the first communal EV charging tariff in the UK.

In this episode, host Sam Pamphlon sits down with Michael to debunk common myths about EVs, especially about charging costs and energy usage. They delve into the experience of EV ownership without a home charging setup and outline what to expect during the installation of an EV charger.

Michael also spoke about the green tech in the UK, including government policy developments, road tax, and available grants or tariffs for those who already own an EV and a home charger.

This podcast explores a wide range of topics, from the convenience of never having to stop at a petrol station again, to future-proofing your household by connecting all of your low-carbon technology together.

Want to know more about green technology?

Check out our guides below: 

• Best solar panel installers
• Government grants for solar panels
• Best heat pump installers
• Government grants for heat pumps
• Best double glazing companies
• Best home EV chargers

Get a free quote for an EV charger for your home by using our quick quote tool.

Watch previous episodes of Positive Energy

Episode 13 – Stuart Gadsden

Episode 14 – Mark Millar 

Episode 15 – David Leighton

The post The road to electric vehicles, with Michael Braybrook – Positive Energy Podcast, ep16 appeared first on The Eco Experts.

We finally know the new energy price cap for July–September, and unfortunately it’s worse than anyone predicted: £1,862. That’s significantly higher than even the most pessimistic forecast. From our point of view, we were £15 off with our prediction of £1,847.

It really should come as no surprise. Since the start of the US-Iran war at the end of February, wholesale gas prices have increased by about 30%. The UK is far too dependent on fossil fuels. The bigger-than-predicted price cap proves that households in this country are more vulnerable to the fossil fuel markets than previously thought.

It also shows that ministers must not slow down their efforts to make renewable energy the norm. Under no circumstances should they follow the advice of former prime minister Tony Blair, who this week (no doubt timed to coincide with the energy price cap) called for the government to scrap large parts of the drive towards clean energy.

We can only guess what Blair’s motivations are (he also wants the UK to back Donald Trump’s ongoing war with Iran, one of the main causes of the booming energy prices), we can only be grateful that he’s no longer anywhere near Downing Street. 

It is absolutely vital that the government ignore every word of Blair’s unhelpful intervention and instead do everything it can to get households away from gas and onto cheaper, more reliable, more stable renewable energy. This means getting the Warms Homes Plan up and running and ramping up our storage capacity. Only then will our bills be safe from fossil fuel chaos. 

Ofgem announces a 13% increase to the energy price cap

It’s finally here, and it’s worse than anyone thought. The July–September energy price cap will be £1,862. The fact it’s higher than any of the big energy companies or analysts predicted (the average was £1,847) shows that the UK is a lot more vulnerable to the shocks in the international fossil fuel markets than we used to think. The answer? More renewable energy storage to make sure gas is setting the price of electricity less often. We’re moving in the right direction, but we need to speed up.

How to beat the energy price cap

Bills may well be booming, but there are plenty of things you can do to beat the price cap. You won’t be surprised to see solar panels near the top of the list, but other tips include getting onto a fixed tariff, insulating your home and installing double glazing, as well as being a bit more careful using your everyday appliances.

Wind and solar generated more electricity than gas in 2025 

This is great and proof that the world at large is doing the right thing for the planet and household bills. For the first time ever, wind and solar accounted for more of the world’s electricity generation (22%) than gas (20%). Is gas producing too much? Yes. Will renewable produce more in the future? We think without a doubt yes. 

Ferrari launches its first 100% EV

You know the world is going electric when the world’s most iconic car manufacturer finally releases its first 100% EV. It can go 310kmh, so Ferrari certainly hasn’t sacrificed its famous speed for a clean drive. Would Enzo Ferrari approve? We like to think so. 

Govt to upgrade heat networks 

The government isn’t being held back by criticism of its clean energy policies, it’s thankfully pushing on with improving heating networks in parts of the UK including Bristol and Rochdale. This should help tens of thousands of people cut energy bills and access cheap, clean energy. 

Average price of technology

Solar PV: £7,868.70

Solar battery storage: £9,364.64

Air source heat pump: £13,735.84

Ground source heat pump: £22,866.42

All prices accurate as of 28/5/2026. Credit: the MCS.

Number of the week

£221

That’s how much the average household bill is going up on 1st July with the next energy price cap.

Sources:

• https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/news/beat-energy-price-cap
• https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/for-the-first-time-wind-and-solar-generated-more-electricity-than-gas-worldwide-in-april-2026/
• https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/news/ferrari-luce-electric-vehicle
• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/heat-network-upgrades-to-lower-bills-for-families-and-businesses?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=6c64ec5a-b237-4591-b8b0-3c1a9bed60d4&utm_content=immediately
• https://institute.global/insights/politics-and-governance/the-labour-party-is-playing-with-fire-over-its-future-and-the-future-of-the-country

The post Billpayers to be stung by 13% energy price cap rise appeared first on The Eco Experts.

Ferrari has announced its first electric vehicle (EV), the Ferrari Luce. 

Inspired by zero emissions and high performance, the luxury sports car manufacturer claims that this EV takes “electrification and technical innovation to new levels.” 

Regulatory changes and tariffs for EVs under President Trump have caused several car manufacturers such as Ford and Volkswagen to produce more petrol cars as demand for EVs in the states drops. Across Asia, Chinese EV brands such as BYD and XPeng have dominated the market already. As a result, Ferrari originally ruled out making EVs, instead making hybrid cars to tailor to the current market.

Now, Ferrari has prioritised net zero emissions and energy efficiency. The Ferrari Luce has the lowest drag coefficient in Ferrari history, making it more energy efficient. Also, during the production phase, the company achieved a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions. 

While supercar competitors such as Lamborghini and Porsche have scaled back on EV plans due to low demand for high-end EVs and competition from Chinese brands, Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, said that the EV “combines unique driving emotions with extraordinary performance.” 

“The Ferrari Luce is the result of more than 60 of our new patents and lies at the heart of an ecosystem of collaborations with outstanding technology partners,” he explained.

The Ferrari Luce was created by designer Flavio Manzoni, part of the collective LoveFrom, but the EV maintains Ferrari’s skilled engineering. All components are made in-house to make repairs easier and to reduce CO2 emissions during the assembly process.

The EV is powered by an electric engine in each wheel and uses a 122 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery. It can go from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, has a top speed of 310 km/h, and has a range of 530km. The car weighs 2,260kg.

Described as a “different sort of Ferrari for a different sort of Ferrari client,” it is the brand’s first ever four-door, five-seater car, and has a hatchback marketed for family use. 

This mirrors the want for EVs in the UK, shown in 2025 as a record-breaking 473,348 new EVs were registered, equivalent to a 23.4% share of the total new-car market. 

However, it is one of the most expensive EVs on the market, closing in at nearly half a million pounds (£474,320). 

The Ferrari Luce falls in line with the company’s principle of “technological neutrality” and enables the Company to expand into the EV market as other manufacturers bow out. 

Ferrari Chairman, John Elkann, described it as an “unconventional, multidisciplinary perspective.”

The Ferrari Luce also comes with an app to optimise climate control and receive updates about charging settings. 

There is long-term support available for batteries and electric power systems and lifecycle assistance to make sure performance is preserved over time.

The post Ferrari unveils first electric vehicle appeared first on The Eco Experts.

Bills are going up from 1 July after Ofgem  announced that the energy price cap will rise by 13% from £1,641 to £1,862. 

The cap, dictated by energy regulator Ofgem, is designed to protect British households from growing energy bills. 

This might sound like doom and gloom, and we have to admit it’s not very good, but there are loads of ways you can make sure you’re not paying what the energy price cap says.

These include making use of smart tariffs, fixed tariffs, making your home more energy efficient, and using solar panel grants to get panels on your roof, which will make you less dependent on the grid. 

Here are some of the ways you can beat the energy price cap and keep your bills down.

Insulation

How much can you save?: up to £550

One of the best and cheapest ways you can help beat the energy price cap is to have a well insulated house. that stops heat and air escaping. 

According to the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) a well-insulated home can make about a £550 difference to your energy bills. That’s about 33%, or a third of the current energy price cap. The average home in the UK is rated EPC band D, which will see bills roughly £200 higher than EPC band C.

A poorly-insulated home can lose around 25% of its heat through the roof alone. Add in draughty walls, single glazing and uninsulated floors, and many homes are effectively leaking money every winter.

Loft insulation remains one of the cheapest and fastest upgrades available, with many homeowners able to recover the installation cost within a few years through lower heating bills. Cavity wall insulation can also dramatically improve efficiency, especially in older houses across the UK. 

Insulation matters because the less heat a property loses, the less energy is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. That means lower gas and electricity consumption regardless of what the price cap is doing. It also means that your heat pump, if you have one, will work much better because your heating demand can fall by as much as 90%.

In our opinion, insulation is one of the most valuable and affordable steps into beating the price cap. 

Use smart tariffs

How much can you save?: up to £360

People are also turning to smart tariffs to cut costs. Unlike traditional fixed or standard variable tariffs, smart tariffs reward consumers for shifting their electricity use to cheaper off-peak hours. With a smart meter installed, customers can run washing machines, dishwashers, or charge electric vehicles (EV) overnight when electricity prices are significantly lower.

Time-of-use tariffs are becoming increasingly popular as the National Grid infrastructure improves to be able to handle more renewable energy. When wind generation is high overnight, suppliers often pass those savings on to customers through lower rates. 

If you’re willing to adapt your routines slightly, the savings can be substantial. Some agile tariffs even offer periods where electricity prices drop close to zero during times of excess renewable generation.

Examples of smart tariffs include: 

•  e.on Next offering cheaper electricity every day between 7pm-2am
• British Gas offering its PeakSave tariff to customers to make the most of half price electricity
• Octopus Energy offering tariffs to track the price of wholesale electricity, make the most of super cheap EV charging, and sell excess solar using smart export.

You can also make the most of the Smart Export Guarantee, where any excess electricity your solar panel system makes can be sold back to the grid. 

Solar panels

How much can you save?: £290 – £700+ depending on property size 

Solar panels are another great way to avoid high energy bills as they can reduce the cost by up to 64%. Also, as previously mentioned, any excess electricity generated by your solar system can be sold back to the grid. 

A typical rooftop solar system can generate a large proportion of a household’s daytime electricity needs, reducing reliance on grid power and cushioning homeowners from future price rises. Homes with battery storage can go even further, storing cheap or self-generated electricity for use during expensive evening peak times, or to sell when it’s not needed.

Solar panels work best when combined with smart energy habits. Households that run appliances during daylight hours can maximise the amount of free electricity they use directly from their panels. We would also suggest making simpler and cheaper changes first, such as installing insulation before installing solar panels, in order to make them as efficient as possible. 

Heat pumps

How much can you save?: up to £260

Heat pumps are a brilliant long-term solution to mitigating high energy prices, particularly as the UK pushes towards its net-zero goals. The government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 and as a result, heat pump grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can take £7,500 off the cost. 

This makes heat pumps a brilliant low-carbon technology to lower energy bills, especially considering their efficiency. Air source heat pumps use electricity to extract warmth from the outside air and can deliver four units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. A gas boiler can only deliver one unit of heat for every unit consumed, making heat pumps four times more efficient. 

Take a look at how the wholesale price of gas affects electricity bills. 

Heat pump critics often point to installation expense or performance concerns in colder weather, but modern heat pumps are becoming increasingly efficient and are already widely used across northern Europe.

We’ve debunked the other heat pump myths so you can make the right decision for your home. 

Double glazing

How much can you save?: up to £235

Similarly to insulation, double glazing can help increase the efficiency of your home by making sure it loses as little heat as possible during the winter. Also, during the summer, it can block excess heat, keeping your house cool without having to rely on fans or air conditioning. 

This can save you money on your energy bills in the long run as it means your central heating, whether it’s provided by a heat pump or gas boiler, won’t have to produce as much heat. 

Cutting down on energy usage 

How much can you save?: up to £300

This might sound like a pretty small fix, but cutting down on energy consumption can work wonders in the long run. This can range from anything from making sure your TV is off rather than on standby, or turning off your oven five minutes before your food is done so it cooks with residual heat rather than extra energy. Those five minutes can count for a lot! 

Other ways to cut down on your energy consumption: 

• Unplug chargers and appliances when they’re not in use, as many still draw power even when switched off
• Wash clothes at a lower temperature whenever possible. Modern detergents work just as well at 30°C
• Only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle instead of filling it every time
• Make the most of natural daylight during the day rather than switching lights on unnecessarily
• Keep doors closed in winter to stop heat escaping from warm rooms
• Swap old light bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs, which use far less electricity and last much longer
• Let dishes air dry instead of putting them in the dishwasher
• Turn down your thermostat by just one degree. Even a small change can reduce energy usage noticeably over time
• Use lids on pans while cooking to help food heat faster and reduce cooking time
• Charge devices like phones and laptops during off-peak hours if your energy tariff offers cheaper rates at certain times
• Open curtains during sunny days to naturally warm your home instead of relying entirely on heating
• Take shorter showers to reduce both water and heating energy usage
• Dry clothes outside or on an indoor airer instead of using a tumble dryer whenever possible
• Keep your fridge and freezer stocked, as full appliances retain cold temperatures more efficiently

Can I beat the energy price cap?

Yes, you absolutely can if you follow all of these steps. By getting yourself onto a good, fixed tariff, insulating your home, installing solar panels (with a battery), installing double glazing, and cutting energy elsewhere, you can beat the energy price cap. 

Summary

The shift is clear as more and more households in the UK are looking towards low-carbon technology and renewables to focus on reducing overall energy demand, in order to keep bill prices low. 

In our opinion, it’s this approach that offers the most protection, not just from the current price cap, but from future energy price caps too. 

For many consumers, the most effective strategy is combining several measures together. A well-insulated home with solar panels, a heat pump, and a flexible smart tariff can dramatically reduce exposure to rising wholesale prices. 

While not every household can afford major upgrades immediately, even smaller changes — such as topping up loft insulation or switching to an off-peak tariff — can begin lowering bills straight away.

As energy costs continue to dominate household budgets, the homes that use less energy altogether are the ones beating the price cap.

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The East Anglia THREE (EA3) offshore wind farm has installed its first turbine and at the same time broken the record for the longest blades in the UK.  

The turbine features three 115 metre blades, with each one spanning further than a Premier League football pitch. 

There will be 285 record-breaking blades in total, for the 95 turbines that make up the EA3 offshore wind farm, which will sit 69km off the Suffolk coast. They are all being manufactured in the UK, at wind energy specialists Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Hull. 

This project has been made possible by a partnership between integrated energy giant ScottishPower and UAE-owned renewable energy company Masdar. 

Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, called the record a “defining moment and a UK industry first for ScottishPower, Iberdrola and Masdar,” and said that they’re accelerating “the deployment of homegrown renewable energy at scale.”

“East Anglia THREE will be the biggest and most powerful offshore windfarm in our portfolio,” Jordan said. 

“That means billions of pounds invested in UK and global supply chains; thousands of jobs supported during construction; more than a hundred long-term roles created in the East of England; and greater energy security, with more clean power coming on to the grid than ever before.” 

During construction, over 2,300 jobs have been supported, with 100 permanent roles created.

Jordan continued: “East Anglia THREE will play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future and it’s fantastic to see our vision come to life.”

The 14megawatt (MW) turbines stand at 262m tall, which is higher than the observation deck at the shard, and have a rotor diameter of 236m.

The previous record was held by turbines also manufactured by Siemens Gamesa. They were seven metres shorter, coming in at 108m.

UK Head of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, Darren Davidson, said: “These are the biggest blades ever built for a project in UK waters – a real landmark for offshore wind.

“We’re proud that these record-breaking blades have been manufactured at our factory in Hull, where we now employ more than 1,400 people, and where we’re also investing in the future by training our next generation of workers through a well-established and successful apprenticeship scheme.”

Initial operation is targeted to be at the end of 2026. Once operational, a single revolution of just one of these giant turbines has massive energy saving potential. It could produce enough electricity for one of the following:

• Powering a UK household for over four days 
• Charging 1,700 mobile phones
• Brewing nearly 1,000 cups of tea
• Drive an electric vehicle (EV) for 100 miles

EA3 will be amongst the world’s largest offshore wind farms once operational, delivering homegrown, renewable electricity with the equivalent of powering 1.3 million households across the UK.

Husain Al Meer, Director of Global Offshore Wind at Masdar, said: “This is a milestone moment for the UK’s offshore wind sector, with the completion of the first turbine for East Anglia THREE representing a truly monumental achievement.

“We are proud to work alongside ScottishPower and Iberdrola to bring this project to fruition and to be playing our part in securing the UK’s clean energy future, while helping to create jobs and drive sustainable growth.

“We see tremendous potential for offshore wind, not just in the UK but across the wider European market, where offshore wind can provide critical energy security, power economic progress and help nations achieve their clean energy objectives.”

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We’ve been building up to it since the end of February, and now we’re only days away from the next energy price cap, at which point we’ll know for sure how much Donald Trump’s war with Iran is costing billpayers. 

We’ve done some calculations and we think it will increase by 11.1%. That would mean a price cap of £1,847 between July and September. It’s not great news for billpayers, but hopefully we’re being overly pessimistic. 

All we know for sure is that life is getting more expensive, and the past three months have shown once again that we can’t rely on importing fossil fuels. The UK needs to expand its renewable capacity and get more homes onto electricity. 

The good news is that we’re well under way. In March, more than 27,000 solar panel systems were installed across the UK, taking the total number past 2 million. Two-thirds of these were in homes, which to us says that households are really waking up to how solar can save them money. 

According to the founder of a solar panel installer in Gloucestershire, solar panels are now about “saving money” far more than protecting the environment. This shift in how people see solar might be one of the long term effects of the energy crisis.  

Will we see even more take up with a double-digit jump in the energy price cap? And will these numbers influence the details of the Warm Homes Plan? We’ll have to wait and see, but there’s definitely great momentum behind solar energy, so much so that even ultra-cheap energy sceptics Reform UK have admitted they can’t stop big solar farms being built. 

We predict the energy price cap will go up 11.2%

Bills are definitely getting more costly from July. By exactly how much, we won’t know until 27 May when Ofgem sets out the next energy price cap. Cornwall Insight have predicted a 13% bump, and they’ve been right in the past. Our figure is taken from our own analysis, as well as looking at what major energy companies expect to happen. 

The UK has now seen more than 2 million solar panel installations

There were 27,607 solar installations in March, taking the UK beyond the 2 million mark. We all know the reason why: solar is the cheapest form of energy there is. Depending on gas will keep bills permanently high, especially as a long term peace between the US and Iran seems miles off. 

Heat pumps the only way to keep households safe from price shocks

If you want any more proof that electrification is the way to protect your wallet from price shocks, just look across the English Channel. A new report from a Danish think tank has found that with chaos in the gas markets, households can save £1,906 by replacing boilers and petrol cars with heat pumps and electric vehicles. 

Reform UK admit defeat in stopping solar farms

Cheap energy sceptics Reform UK are seeing the light… at least in one sense. They’ve recently conceded that they cannot stop some of the biggest solar farms in the UK from being developed and providing people with clean power, despite their best efforts. Let’s hope that continues.

Average price of clean technology

Solar PV: £7,913.27

Solar battery storage: £9,413.70

Air source heat pump: £13,723.41

Ground source heat pump: £23,480.04

Number of the week

£1,847

That’s our prediction for the next energy price cap.

Sources

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrp19v9vl2o
• https://theecologist.org/2026/may/18/solar-installations-through-roof
• https://www.politico.eu/article/nigel-farage-cant-block-labours-mega-solar-farms-reform-uk-energy-chief-richard-tice-admits/
• https://concito.dk/en/news/electrification-is-the-most-powerful-tool-to-protect-europeans-from-energy-shocks
• https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/news/energy-price-cap-prediction

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Japanese car manufacturer Honda has unveiled a new compact electric vehicle (EV) that will hit the UK market in July 2026. 

The Honda Super-N is part of the N-Series ‘Kei’ range. It will deliver 199 miles of all-electric city range and the compact and efficient e-Axle will offer from 47kW to 70kW. Prices will have a starting price of sub £20,000. 

According to Michael Doyle, head of automobile, Honda UK, the Super-N will focus on “forward-thinking technology” to showcase its electrified future in a compact, characterful form. 

“With its driving dynamics tailored to UK roads, and unique features, such as Boost mode, every aspect of this model has been engineered to bring exhilaration and fun to every journey, no matter how short,” he said. 

Among its new features, the Super-N has a new Boost mode to not only increase vehicle output to maximise performance, but it offers a multi-gear shift with Active Sound Control. 

The car’s styling has drawn inspiration from the Honda Turbo City II to create a “one-of-a-kind vehicle”, Doyle said, generating the “Japanese feeling” of ‘yukai’ (pleasing) when you see it, ‘meikai’ (intuitive) and the anticipation of ‘tsukai’ (thrilling) before you get behind the wheel. 

The distinctive blue interior plays homage to the original City Turbo II, while the ambient lighting bathes the dashboard in a cool blue light at night, changing to a rich purple when Boost Mode is selected. 

Doyle said that Super-N customers will be able to choose from a wide range of exterior colours and customisation options, including the availability of a two-tone specification that has a contrasting gloss black finish for the panel and rear spoiler. 

Register your interest for the Honda Super-N here.

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