Insulation, a modern heating system and glazing are improvements that will cut your costs the most.
With 33% of heat lost through walls without insulation, the addition of insulation alone can cut your bills by up to £380 a year.*
Your home may have an energy certificate, which shows how well your property uses energy. This certificate, known as an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), also offers suggestions on what improvements you can make to boost your property’s energy efficiency. If you’ve misplaced or can’t find the energy certificate, you can easily search for it on the Government website. You’ll need one before you market a property for sale or to let.
Your EPC may also include estimated costs and projected savings for each recommended improvement, making it a practical starting point. You can find out more about them here.
To help you make “greener” choices and save some money at the same time, here are our top tips and quick wins to help you cut energy use and costs.
In addition to the above tips, there are many more improvements you can apply to make your home more energy efficient, reducing the amount you might spend on energy:
Insulating your property is a key factor in reducing heating bills and improving your EPC scoring. Options range from ground floor insulation, solid and cavity wall insulation to loft insulation. For this reason, you’ll often find that newly built properties tend to have better energy ratings. If you're interested in buying a new build, why not explore available homes today.
Roof and loft insulation, as well as ground floor insulation, can help you save on your energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save around £230 per year on heating bills when installing the recommended 27 cm of insulation when starting with nothing.^
With three different types of loft insulation available - quilts, blown insulation or insulation boards – you’ll be able to choose the option that best suits your property.
Although the UK may not be known for its sunny weather, having solar panels on your roof not only makes it a more energy-efficient property, but can also help decrease your energy costs.
On days when your solar panels produce more energy than your home requires, this surplus can be fed back into the grid. If you’re able to claim the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) from your energy provider, you could even be paid some money for exporting the electricity your solar panels created.^
However, it’s important to keep in mind that installation costs may initially be high and vary according to your roof’s structure and how accessible it is.
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is by installing a heat pump. There are two different types: ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps – both are energy-efficient ways to provide your home with hot water, the main difference being the heat source. As their names suggest, ground source heat pumps (GSHP) absorb heat from the ground and air source heat pumps (ASHP) from the surrounding air.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales, and £2,500 towards an air-to-air system.
Of course, the above factors aren’t the only ones to look out for. Other upgrades, such as double or triple glazed windows, modern boilers, smart appliances, and smart meters, can all make a real difference to your home’s energy efficiency.
Replacing single-glazed windows with double or triple-glazed windows not only improves energy efficiency, but also helps reduce outdoor noise. If you’re unable to replace the windows, you can also install secondary glazing. This doesn’t replace the windows, but adds a layer to the existing ones to help insulate the property. If you live in a listed building, secondary glazing may be the only option available.
Efficiency upgrades pay you back mainly through lower bills and a faster, smoother sale, with a modest value uplift on top rather than a windfall. Simply put, the bills are the reason to do it, and the added value is a bonus.
So, whether you're planning to sell, buy, or simply future-proof your home, making smart, eco-conscious improvements can offer long-term benefits for both your wallet and the planet.
As the colder months are almost here, it’s important to ensure your boiler is in good condition. A routine boiler service before winter not only helps prevent breakdowns when you need heating most, but also ensures your system is running efficiently - saving you money on energy bills in the long run. And if your boiler is over 10 years old, it may be worth upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient model. Newer boilers are typically more reliable and can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
* https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/cavity-wall-insulation
** https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/guides/energy-saving-tips.html
^ Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee and Boiler Upgrade Scheme
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