How to improve home energy efficiency (ranked from low to high cost)

More and more of us are thinking about ways to make our homes use energy more efficiently. Partly it’s because we want to save money on electricity and gas bills, while a lot of us also want to be kinder to the environment. Being more energy efficient cuts costs and helps cut back on carbon emissions.

To help you find ways to get more by using less, we've ranked 12 top energy efficiency tips, from lowest to highest cost.

If you're wondering how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you might find it a little overwhelming to figure out where to begin. With so many ways to improve the energy efficiency of a house, it can be tricky knowing which ways are worth your time and money.

To give you a helping hand, this article lists some of the best ways to improve home energy efficiency in cost order. We also show the expected impact level too, to help you better understand your choices.

How energy efficient is your home?

Before considering how to make your home more energy efficient, it's helpful to know how it's already using power for heating, lighting and running all your devices. With this information, you'll be better able to evaluate what improvements you could consider making to your home.

A good place to start is with the EPC (energy performance certificate) for your home. This is a basic report that's produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor after inspecting the property.

An EPC must be created whenever a property in the UK is built, sold or rented. Your home will be rated from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient), along with suggestions for how the rating can be improved. The assessor takes into account the age, location, design and construction of your home, along with the current systems for heating and lighting. Factors like the type of glazing, age of any boiler and the insulation that's been installed will all impact the EPC rating.

To get a more in-depth report, which also estimates the cost and environmental benefits of various efficiency installations, you can sign up to Snugg for free.

1. Adjust the thermostat

You control how much energy your home uses by the settings you've chosen for your thermostat. This tells your heating system when to turn on and off, based on the time of day and the temperature.

Some thermostats make use of the latest digital technology, allowing them to be set and monitored remotely. This gives you a high degree of control over your heating system, even when you're not in the property. This can help you cut your consumption of gas or electricity, saving you money on utility bills.

Even a basic thermostat that's adjusted manually and attached to a wall inside your home, gives you control. You can choose to lower the temperature when you're asleep or away from home, and raise it when you're awake or back in the property. A programmable thermostat can automate this process by allowing you to set different temperature schedules for different times of day and days of the week.

Cost: None

‍Impact: Moderate to high

2. Schedule the boiler

Heating your home and hot water with a boiler can be one of the biggest contributors to your energy usage and bills. which is why scheduling your boiler can help you save energy and reduce your heating costs. By setting a schedule for your boiler to operate during off-peak hours or when demand is low, you can ensure that your boiler is operating at maximum efficiency and minimize the amount of energy it uses.

To schedule your boiler, you can use its timer function without the need for a separate programmable thermostat.

Cost: None

‍Impact: Moderate to high

3. Reduce the boiler's flow temperature

This is an easy improvement that you probably haven't considered. The boiler flow temperature is the heat of the water when it's sent into the radiators around your home, and if you have one, your hot water tank.

Lowering this flow temperature can be an effective way to save energy and reduce your heating costs, while making a difference that you may not notice. Most boilers are set to circulate water at a default temperature of around 70-80°C, but depending on your hot water system, you could set this to be much lower.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, if your system has a conventional boiler with a hot water cylinder, you should not reduce the flow temperature to less than 65°C, to prevent the risk of bacteria growth. 

If you have a combi boiler with no hot water cylinder, you can turn the boiler flow temperature down as low as you like. You can experiment to find a level that suits you.

Lowering a boiler's flow temperature can save the average household around £112 per year, according to Nesta. You can participate in Nesta's Money Saving Boiler Challenge and lower your boiler's flow temperature right now!

Cost: None

Impact: Moderate

4. Switch to LED bulbs

Every old-style, incandescent light bulb in your home uses more energy than modern replacements. They also need replacing more often. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

You can reduce energy consumption further by checking that the wattage and brightness levels are right for your needs, and no more. You may also want to consider investing in smart bulbs that can be controlled via a smartphone app or smart speaker. These allow you to light rooms only when it's necessary, giving you a further saving on energy usage and your electricity bill.

Cost: Low, depending on the number of bulbs

Impact: Low

5. Dress your windows

Curtains, blinds and shades can play a key role in regulating heat loss and gain through your windows. During the winter months, properly selected window treatments can help to reduce heat loss and keep your home warm. In the summer, they can help to reduce heat gain and keep your home cool.

To maximise the energy-saving benefits of your window treatments, choose curtains, blinds or shades that are specifically designed to improve your home's insulation. For example, thick curtains with a thermal lining can help to reduce heat loss and improve your home's overall insulation.

Cost: Low to moderate, depending on materials and window sizes

Impact: Low to moderate

6. Draught-proof doors and windows

Your home could be losing a lot of heat through gaps and cracks around doors and windows. Even a tiny gap can let cold air find its way in and let your warm air escape.

This is why draught-proofing your doors and windows can make a big difference. Keeping the warm air in and the cold out will reduce your energy use and heating bills, and can make you feel more comfortable.

Draught-proofing your doors and windows is a relatively simple and affordable project that you can do yourself. It doesn't require a lot of DIY skill to seal the gaps and cracks around your doors and windows. Doing this will improve the energy efficiency of your home, reduce your energy use, and save you money on your heating and cooling bills.

Cost: Low to moderate

Impact: Moderate.

7. Install a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats use advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms and geofencing technology to learn your habits and preferences. They can use these techniques to automatically adjust the temperature of your home to optimise your comfort and energy usage.

When shopping for a smart thermostat, look for models that are compatible with your existing heating and cooling system and smart home devices.

Cost: Moderate

‍Impact: Moderate to high

8. Insulate the loft

Loft insulation is one of the best ways to improve home energy efficiency and reduce heat loss through your roof. A properly insulated loft can help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing your energy usage and saving you money on your heating and cooling bills.

Insulating your loft is also a relatively simple and affordable project that you can do yourself with a little bit of DIY experience. However, if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, you can hire a professional to do the job for you.

Cost: Moderate

Impact: High

9. Use energy-efficient appliances

When it's time to replace your old appliances, choose energy-efficient models that can help you save money on your energy bills. Look for appliances with an Energy Efficiency Rating label that ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

Examples of energy-efficient appliances include refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers. These appliances are designed with energy-saving features, such as advanced insulation, smart sensors and low-energy settings, which can help reduce your energy usage and save money on your energy bills.

Cost: Moderate to high, depending on the appliance

Impact: Moderate to high

10. Insulate the walls

Wall insulation is another effective way to reduce heat transfer and improve the energy efficiency of your home. There are two main types of wall insulation: cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation.

Cavity wall insulation involves filling the space between the inner and outer walls of your home with insulation material, such as foam or mineral wool. Solid wall insulation, on the other hand, involves adding insulation to the exterior or interior walls of your home. This can be a more expensive and complex process than cavity wall insulation, but it can provide greater energy-saving benefits.

Cost: Moderate to high

Impact: High

11. Double (or triple) glaze your windows

Upgrading to double or triple-glazed windows is one of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Windows are great for letting in sunlight, which is a wonderful natural resource. But older glass and glazing lets heat escape. Today's double or triple glazing is a great way to improve the insulation of your home.

Double-glazed windows consist of two panes of glass separated by an insulating layer of air or gas, while triple-glazed windows consist of three panes of glass with two insulating layers. By reducing the amount of heat that escapes through your windows, you can create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home, particularly during the colder months.

Double or triple glazing your windows is a significant investment, so it's important to consider your budget and consult with a professional before making any decisions. But double or triple-glazed windows can provide significant energy-saving benefits and improve the overall comfort of your home.

Cost: Moderate to high, depending on the number of windows and type of glazing.

Impact: High

12. Install solar panels or a heat pump

Installing solar panels or a heat pump can be a great way to generate renewable energy and heat your home. Solar panels generate electricity from the sun's energy, while heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground to provide heating and hot water for your home.

Solar panels and heat pumps are one of the most significant investments on this list, so it's important to consider your budget before making any decisions. However, solar panels and heat pumps can provide significant energy-saving benefits over time. And they can reduce your carbon footprint while providing a more sustainable source of energy for your home.

Cost: High

‍Impact: High

Bonus: Reduce the up-front cost with a home energy efficiency grant

If you're not sure how to improve home energy efficiency on a limited budget, you might be able to get a grant to offset the up-front cost. These grants can cover part or all of the cost of solar panels, new boilers, heat pumps and more. Several home energy efficiency grants are available that help homeowners improve their homes' energy efficiency and reduce their energy bills.

It's important to note that different grants and support may be available depending on where you live. We take into account the options available whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Sign up to Snugg to get your free personalised energy efficiency plan and see which grants you might qualify for.

Frequently Asked Questions about making your home more energy efficient

What is the best first step for reducing energy consumption?

The quickest and easiest way to cut the amount of energy used in your home is to look at your thermostat. Can you lower the temperature a little and still be comfortable? By lowering the temperature by just one degree you will be saving energy, while you may not feel much different.

You can also take a look at how often your heating system comes on. Again, cutting this a little can reduce your energy costs.

All these changes can be made using the controls already available in your home. A further step is to install thermostatic radiator valves. Use these to reduce the amount of heat wasted in rooms that you use less often.

How can we reduce the consumption of electricity?

Cutting your electricity use means making lots of small changes around your house. These include:

• Turning off devices that are left in standby mode.
• Using high energy appliances, like a tumble dryer or washing machine, less often.
• Replacing older light bulbs with LEDs.

When you're using electrical appliances, like a washing machine or oven, you can plan ahead to use it more efficiently. This might involve making sure you always wash a full load, or cooking in batches.

Another approach to reducing the running costs of electricity is to make use of solar energy. By installing solar panels you can generate your own electrical power, and even sell surplus to energy companies.

Why does my house lose heat so quickly?

Heat loss is one of the many environmental problems facing UK homes. Most were constructed years ago, before we became concerned about the impact of using fossil fuels. Back then, little thought was given to sustainable energy, and the natural resources used to heat our homes were relatively inexpensive.

Fortunately, there are many ways to help fix the problem of older homes losing a lot of heat. Insulation in lofts, on walls and under the floor can make a big difference. Double or triple glazing can help keep heat in, as will draught-proofing around doors and windows.

Do you need good insulation for an energy efficient home?

Insulation is one of the most effective ways to make your home energy efficient. Today's regulations ensure that new homes are built with extensive insulation in the roof, on the walls and in the floor. An extremely well-insulated home requires much less energy to heat.

You can fit insulation into older homes. Loft spaces can be insulated with blanket insulation rolled between joists. Walls and floors can be insulated efficiently and discreetly. When you're looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, improving insulation should be one of your top considerations.