The government will today launch a new advert giving energy saving tips to the public.

The short video suggests turning down the boiler flow temperature, switching off lights and changing to energy saving bulbs, as well as doing washing on a lower setting and turning off appliances at the wall.

“This is a 30-second ad,” says the voiceover. “That’s not long, but it is long enough to do something that could save you money on your energy bills.”

The advert will air on Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 throughout the festive period.

It is part of the £18m “It All Adds Up” public information campaign launched earlier this month to outline “straightforward” measures for people to cut their bills over the winter.

It came after growing pressure from campaigners and environmentalists, who said small changes to lower demand would boost energy security, lower bills and limit emissions, benefiting the climate.

But there has also been growing awareness of the impact of the higher cost of gas and electricity has been having on the cost of living crisis, with a report in September saying almost half of UK adults were finding it difficult to afford their energy bills.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s predecessors, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, resisted the calls to put out advice, with Ms Truss ditching a similar plan amid fears it would be too “nanny state”.

Business and energy minister Lord Callanan said the initiative was “already getting important information out to millions of households across the country, showing them simple, low and no-cost tips to cut their energy use and bills this winter”.

He added: “Simple steps can make a big difference to cutting bills, while keeping homes warm and safe, and by launching this new TV advert, even more people will be aware and the savings will keep adding up for UK households.”

But Which? said more long term thinking was required, in addition to short term energy saving measures.

Rocio Concha, the Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “As well as offering these quick solutions, with energy bills expected to remain high for some time, the government should do more to help people improve their home’s long term energy efficiency by supporting consumers who may struggle with the cost of measures such as insulation which can make a big difference to household bills.”