As we head into the colder months, most of us will start to feel our energy use creep up – longer heating hours, more hot water, and appliances working harder to keep homes comfortable.
And while bills aren’t at the extremes seen in 2023, they remain well above pre-crisis levels and are expected to rise again in January. With household budgets under pressure, now is a good moment to cut energy waste where you can – and the steps that save you money are often the same ones that help shrink your home’s carbon footprint.
Find your home’s EPC rating and personalised recommendations for making it greener
Here are six key retrofit steps that make a real difference:
1. Find out how energy efficient your home is
Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is the easiest starting point. It shows how much energy your home typically uses and recommends upgrades tailored to your property type. Even if you’re not planning to sell, it’s a handy roadmap that helps you prioritise work and estimate savings.
2. Make the easy, low cost upgrades first
- Some of the biggest wins take just a weekend:
- Swap any remaining traditional or halogen bulbs for LEDs – they use up to 80 per cent less electricity.
- Install a smart thermostat and set your heating to match your household routine.
- Use smart plugs or timers to avoid unnecessary overnight appliance use.
- When replacing appliances, choose the highest energy rating you can afford – modern A-rated models use far less power over their lifetime.
- These changes can trim bills straightaway without major renovation.
3. Upgrade windows and doors
Single-glazed windows leak heat fast. Replacing them with A-rated double or triple glazing can significantly improve comfort and reduce draughts. If new windows aren’t in the budget, look into secondary glazing. It’s a cheaper, effective option that adds an extra insulating layer to what you already have. Draught-proofing letterboxes and door frames is another low-cost fix with quick payback.
4. Insulate, insulate, insulate!
Insulation remains the biggest bang for your buck.
Walls: If your home has cavity walls, insulating them is relatively simple and cost-effective. Solid walls need internal or external insulation, which is pricier but transformative for heat retention.
Loft/roof:
The recommended insulation depth is at least 270mm. Topping up a half-filled loft can save hundreds of pounds over a few winters and cut carbon too. It’s one of the easiest upgrades to tackle.
Floors:
Around eight per cent of heat can disappear through an uninsulated floor. Suspended timber floors can usually be insulated from below, while solid floors can take a layer of rigid insulation when refurbished.
5. Install renewable energy systems
Solar panels remain one of the most popular home upgrades – and with electricity prices still volatile, generating your own power can be a real buffer against bill shocks. Thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee, you can earn money for unused electricity exported back to the grid.
6. Switch to a low or no-carbon heating system
Air-source and ground-source heat pumps are increasingly common alternatives to gas boilers and can dramatically cut your household emissions. Government grants remain available to help with installation costs. If a heat pump isn’t right for your property just yet, upgrading an old G-rated boiler to a modern A-rated condensing model will still reduce energy use and emissions while keeping your home warm.
Find out how to make YOUR home greener – and exactly how much it could save you
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