How can I make my home more energy efficient?
There are many ways you can help make your home more energy efficient. Increased energy efficiency can help reduce your fuel bills and keep your home warmer, and helps the environment by decreasing the amount of carbon released through the use of fuel.
Listed below are just some of the ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home. If you would like more advice, or have questions related to your property, you can contact Act on Energy on (freephone) 0800 988 2881.
You can also find ways to save energy in your home on the government website.
Check your central heating
You might be able to save money by changing your heating controls - for example, by using thermostats and timers.
Gas central heating and gas fires need to be regularly serviced to keep them safe and to keep them running efficiently. Remember to only use a Gas Safe contractor to carry out the work.
The older your boiler, the more inefficient it will be, costing you more to keep your home warm. A-rated condensing boilers are the most energy efficient.
If you've got central heating it is also worth getting the radiators bled to remove any air that could stop it working efficiently.
Read more about saving money on heating from Citizen's Advice.
Check if you can use less electricity
It's a good idea to find out how much your electrical appliances cost to run and how you could use them differently to save electricity.
Read more about saving money using electrical appliances from Citizen's Advice.
Fit draught excluders
Fitting draught excluders to your doors, windows and even the letter box and keyholes will make a difference to your heating bills. You can also close gaps between floorboards and under skirting boards.
Make sure that you don't block ventilation that's needed for boilers and fires as this could be dangerous.
Find out more about draught proofing from Energy Saving Trust.
Insulate your roof and loft
Uninsulated roofs can lose up to 25% of household heat. The recommended thickness for loft insulation is 270mm so it's worth thinking about whether yours needs 'topping-up'.
Find out more about roof and loft insulation from Energy Saving Trust.
Insulate your cavity walls
On average a third of heat is lost through the outside walls of your house if not insulated.
Find out more about cavity wall insulation from Energy Saving Trust.
Insulate water tanks and radiators
Insulating your water tank and radiators is a quick and easy way to save money on your bills.
Insulating behind your radiators helps keep your home warmer and fitting a jacket on a hot water tank helps keep the water hotter for longer.
Find out more about insulating tanks and radiators from Energy Saving Trust.
Use energy efficient light bulbs
These are a quick and easy way to start reducing your electricity bills. The bulbs last ten times longer and use around 80% less energy. You can buy them in your local supermarket or DIY store.
Making your home more energy efficient
There is a range of funding available which may be able to help towards the cost of some of these measures.
Find out more:
Energy Efficiency Grants
Energy Support Fund
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
