Running a home in the UK is costly, with heating bills rises showing no sign of slowing down. Fortunately, it isnt all doom and gloom. There are ways of improving the energy efficiency of your home, and they are not just good for the planet. They can also help you reduce your monthly bills, ensure your home remains cosy and even add to the value of your property.
Let’s take a look at the confusion around UK government grants. We’ll show you the no-nonsense, effective, upgrades you should consider.
The basics – understanding your home’s EPC
Before you think about spending anything, you need to know where you stand.
Your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This rates efficiency from A to G (most to least efficient), you should have a copy of this, if however, you do not you can search for it online on the EPC register using your address.
The EPC provides you with a traffic light system indicating any recommended improvements and giving you guidance on how much this might save you. If your home is a D or E rating you should try to get it to a C, where you will get the biggest practical savings.
The core upgrades that offer the best savings
In the typical UK home, there are three fundamental upgrades that will offer you the best savings.
Insulation
When heat is leaving your house, you are wasting money. Loft insulation, which offers a layer of mineral wool in your roof space can save you around £315 pa. Cavity wall insulation injects foam or beads into the cavity between your brick walls and can save you around £480 pa and solid wall insulation which involves applying a layer of insulation to the outside or inside of your walls can garner a saving of around £840 pa.
Loft insulation is the cheapest, and can often be a DIY job, whilst solid wall insulation can be more complex on older properties.
Upgrade your boiler
If you have a gas boiler over 10 years old, replacing it with a modern condensing boiler could improve efficiency. Modern boilers are more efficient and can save you several hundred pounds annually.
Double glazing and draft proofing
Draughts through your windows or doors can really bump up your energy bills. Draft proofing is a quick fix, buying weather stripping for around £20 will save you up to £60 pa. If you have single glazing, consider investing in A-rated double glazing it will significantly reduce heat loss.
UK grant schemes for Energy Efficiency
Often the government and energy companies run schemes which help cover the cost of upgrades, especially for lower-income households or homeowners with older, inefficient homes.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Aimed at reducing energy bills for lower- and middle-income homes. This scheme focuses primarily on single measures such as one type of insulation or targeted heating controls. Homes in the lower Council Tax bands(A-D in England, A-E in Scotland/Wales) and those with a low EPC rating (D-G) qualify. There are a number of government websites where you can check your postcode to see if your area is being targeted.
The ECO4 Scheme (Energy Company Obligation)
There is a legal requirement for major energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, etc.) to assist in making UK homes more energy efficient. This scheme covers things like solar panels, heat pumps and full insulation upgrades. It is targeted at those receiving certain benefits (Pension Credit, Universal Credit. Etc.) and those in homes that are the most inefficient.
Local Authority Schemes
Local councils may run their own initiatives, which usesgovernment funding like the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Search for “[Your Council Name] energy efficiency grants” and this will show you what is available.