How to save money on energy

What is an energy-efficient property?

In most cases, an energy-efficient home is a house or a flat with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between A-C. The average UK property currently holds a D rating, which suggests there’s often room for improvement.* In many cases, having a high rating also means you reduce your negative impact on the environment, and you pay less in energy bills.

How energy efficient is my home?

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.

Your EPC may also include estimated costs and projected savings for each recommended improvement, making it a practical starting point.

6 easy tips to make your home more energy-efficient

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.

Turn the lights off in rooms you don’t use.
Don’t leave appliances in stand-by mode.
Install a smart meter to easily manage your heating schedule – even when you’re away.
Turn the heating down. Lowering your thermostat by just 1 °C could reduce your energy bills by up to 10%.**
Use energy-efficient lightbulbs. Although an LED lightbulb may have a larger up-front cost, it will last longer and help you reduce your energy consumption.
Consider installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to control the temperature of individual radiators and avoid heating unused rooms.

What further energy-efficient home improvements can I make?

In addition to the above tips, there are many more “green” improvements you can do to make your home more energy efficient.

Below, we’ll explore several other energy-saving options that are worth considering:

Insulation

Insulating your property is a key factor in improving energy efficiency. There are various types of insulation available to help regulate temperature in a flat or a house, including under floor insulation, solid and cavity wall insulation, and 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, loft and ground insulation

Roof and loft insulation, as well as under floor insulation, can help you save on your energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save around £35 per year on heating bills when installing the recommended 27 cm of insulation.^

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.

Alternative energy sources

Switching to renewable or alternative energy sources – such as solar panels or heat pumps – is a great way to ensure your property is more energy efficient.

Solar panels

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.

Installing solar panels not only improves your home’s energy efficiency, but can also help lower your energy bills.

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 Feed-in Tariff 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.

Heat pumps

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.

If you’re looking for a property that combines modern living with energy-efficient features, we’re here to help. Our new build homes are designed to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and built with your comfort in mind.

Additional energy efficient features

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.

Upgrade your windows and doors

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.

Check your boiler before winter sets in

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.

How to save money on energy

If you’ve been thinking about making your home more energy efficient, here are some “green” property features you may want to keep in mind.

What is an energy-efficient property?

How energy efficient is my home?

6 easy tips to make your home more energy-efficient

What further energy-efficient home improvements can I make?

Insulation

Alternative energy sources

Curious to see what’s on the market?

Additional energy efficient features

Check your boiler before winter sets in

Have you recently made energy-efficient changes to your home?

Buying

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