Student Energy Saving Tips After Winter (March 2026)

As winter ends and temperatures begin to rise across the UK, it’s the perfect time for students to cut energy usage and build smarter habits before summer. Making small adjustments now can reduce your spring energy usage and ease financial pressure — especially if you’re living in student accommodation or a shared house.

According to Ofgem, household energy costs remain a significant expense for renters — including students in shared houses, university halls, and private student accommodation in areas like Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield.

If you’re living in student accommodation, here’s Orange Student Properties’ practical guide to saving energy after winter — and keeping your housing costs more affordable.

1. Lower Your Heating (Without Freezing)

During winter, most student houses keep the thermostat between 20–22°C. As spring arrives, reduce it gradually to 18–19°C.

Why this works:

Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can cut energy usage by around 10%.

Quick wins for your student house:

• Only heat rooms you’re using (all our houses are provided with individual radiator thermostats to allow you to do this).

• Keep doors closed to trap warmth.

• Open curtains during sunny afternoons to benefit from natural heat.

• Bleed radiators if they’re cold at the top (common in larger student houses like ours in Lenton and Sheffield).

If you’re unsure about your heating controls in your student accommodation, get in touch with Orange Student Properties and we can help.

2. Take Advantage of Longer UK Daylight Hours

From March onwards, daylight hours increase significantly (especially after the clocks go forward). Make the most of it in your student house!

Energy-saving habits:

• Study near windows instead of using overhead lights (this is better for your eye!).

• Switch off kitchen and hallway lights during the day.

LED bulbs use up to 80% less electricity and are ideal for affordable student accommodation in cities like Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham.

3. Cut “Standby” Energy Waste in Shared Student Houses

Many UK student households waste electricity through appliances left on standby — particularly in shared houses.

Common culprits:

• TVs and gaming consoles

• Laptop and phone chargers plugged in all day

• Kettles with illuminated switches

Use extension leads with on/off switches and turn them off overnight or when everyone’s out at lectures.

This is especially important in larger student houses in like ours in Fallowfield and Lenton where multiple devices run constantly.

4. Reduce Hot Water Usage

Hot water accounts for a large portion of energy use in any student accommodation house.

As the weather warms:

• Shorten showers by 2–3 minutes.

• Wash clothes at 30°C.

• Avoid half-loads in washing machines — share loads with other members of the house.

• Only boil the water you need in the kettle.

Small changes help keep your accommodation more affordable across the spring term.

5. Air-Dry Clothes Instead of Using a Tumble Dryer

Spring weather in the UK can still be unpredictable — but dry days are perfect, and satisfying,  for air-drying clothes outside your student house.

Options include:

• Indoor drying racks near open windows

• Outdoor washing lines

Tumble dryers are among the highest energy-consuming appliances in shared student accommodation.

If you’re Orange Student Properties house in Sheffield, Lenton or Fallowfield has outdoor space make the most of it and dry clothes outside this spring and summer.

6. Work as a House — Not Individually

Energy saving works best when everyone in the house participates.

Some UK universities, including the University of Manchester, run sustainability initiatives encouraging students to reduce energy collectively in halls and shared accommodation, particularly in areas like Fallowfield.

Try:

• Setting agreed thermostat limits and timer schedules (so the heating isn’t on all day).

• Creating a “last out switches off” rule.

• Tracking weekly meter readings together.

• Running a friendly house challenge to cut usage.

This approach works especially well in larger student accommodation houses in Lenton and Sheffield.

Why Energy Saving Matters for Students in Sheffield, Lenton & Fallowfield

With rent, food prices, and transport costs rising, reducing energy use can:

• Lower your spring and summer bills

• Reduce arguments in shared houses

• Help you stay within your student budget

• Keep your student accommodation affordable

• Cut your carbon footprint

Even reducing electricity use by 10–15% across spring can save a noticeable amount over a term in any shared student house.

Final Thoughts from Orange Student Properties

Spring is the easiest time to reset habits in your student accommodation.

You don’t need extreme changes — just smarter ones:

• Turn heating down.

• Use natural light.

• Unplug unused devices.

• Work together as a household.

At Orange Student Properties, we’re committed to providing affordable student accommodation and quality student houses across Sheffield. Small energy-saving changes now mean lower bills all term — and a more comfortable, cost-effective student experience.

All Inclusive Bills Options Available

At Orange Student Properties, we are aware that some tenants like to sort out their bills themselves, whereas others, prefer all-inclusive rents so they don’t have to worry about it.

When you sign up for one of our properties, if you let us know your preference we are happy to be flexible to accommodate your choice.