Several government and local programmes are designed to make homes more energy-efficient, reducing utility costs. However, these programmes are typically limited to low-income households.

In April, the government will disclose The Great British Insulation Scheme, a £1 billion programme that will result in hundreds of thousands of homes in the UK receiving new insulation and “saving consumers approximately £310 per year.” It will emphasise installing less expensive measures like loft and cavity wall insulation. 

The government has stated that The Great British Insulation Scheme is intended to help a broader customer base currently ineligible for support, particularly people in energy-inefficient homes, those with an energy performance certificate rating of D or lower.

Check your EPC Rating

Energy Performance Certificates

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy-efficient a property is. It would be best if you had an EPC  in England and Wales when you’re:

  • selling a property
  • renting out a property
  • building a new property

You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent.

In Scotland, it is not compulsory to have an EPC rating though there is talk of legislation changing this in the future.

An EPC contains:

⚠️ ECO4 has closed to new applications — here’s the help you can get nowECO4 grants are no longer available. See the grants and funding you can get now.
  • information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs
  • steps to improve a property’s energy efficiency and save money

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) and is valid for 10 years.

The Great British Insulation Scheme will operate alongside ECO4, which already assists low-income households.

In contrast to the disastrous green homes grant programme that it replaces, The Great British Insulation Scheme will be carried out by large energy suppliers, which are already understaffed and frequently unable to answer the phones of their existing customers. The emphasis appears on low-cost solutions, even though the UK requires more concrete solutions.

Accredited retrofit assessor visits to Furbnow start at £350 plus VAT.

The optimal flow temperature for combi boilers is 60 degrees Celsius or less; however, most homes are between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius. The money-saving boiler challenge website has a step-by-step guide on adjusting the temperature.

What can I do to make my home more energy efficient?

Prevent heat loss through the floor- Consider the underlay, typically an afterthought when installing a new carpet or floor. It comprises millions of microscopic fibres that act as natural insulators, making it an effective heat barrier.

Fitton says that putting down a decent-quality underlay when you replace your carpet will save you 5% on your energy bills and increase the thermal comfort in the room. It prevents cold air from penetrating and keeps the surface warm, so your feet will generally feel better.

Close the blinds: The Thermal Performance of Window Coverings in a Whole-House Test Facility with Single-Glazed Sash Windows is the catchy title of another simple energy-saving tip recommended by the Energy House study. Trapping a layer of air between the curtain and the window creates a flimsy double-glazing setup.