Top Tips
There are lots of easy actions you can take which can make a
significant difference to your pocket and the planet.
This page has been split down into the following sections for
your convenience
Top Tips:
No cost measures
- Close the curtains at dusk to reduce the amount of heat being
lost through the windows
- Set your heating timer correctly
- Turn your thermostat down by 1 degree to save up to £40 per
year
- Set the temperature on your hot water cylinder to 60ºC
- Only fill the kettle with as much water as you require
- Always turn lights off when you leave a room
- When buying new appliances always choose A energy rated ones if
possible.
- Fill your washing machine/dishwasher/tumble dryer to full or
use the half load/economy selection
- Switch your computer off when not in use, it does not use more
energy to start up and shut down than normal running
- Switch electrical appliances off standby when not in use
especially over night (e.g. TVs, videos, set top boxes)
- Switch off at the plug socket appliances that have a
transformer (e.g. phone chargers, computers) as these use power
even when not in use
Minor Works
Insulation of your home is an excellent way to make it more
energy efficient. It reduces the rate of heat loss/gain in your
home. This means it stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer
making it much more comfortable and reduces the need for heating
and cooling that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
When employing contractors to carry our works in your home, we
advise you obtain at least two independent quotes for the
works.
Please see grants and funding page for help with insulation
measures.
Loft Insulation
Heat rises, so 25% of heat can be lost through the roof area. By
insulating the roof, much more heat is retained within the
property, which can have significant reductions on your heating
bill. Savings of up to £100 can be achieved.
Current building regulations recommend that houses should have
270 mm of loft insulation. There are different materials available
ranging from natural sheepswool to manmade rockwool for this, some
of which can be installed DIY, others require a contractor with
specialist equipment for installation.
Different materials have different ‘u-values’. This relates to
its insulating properties, the lower the u-value the slower the
rate of heat loss (i.e. materials with a low u-value are the best
insulators).
Cavity Wall Insulation
Approximately 35% of heat is lost through the walls of your
home. Generally houses built after the 1930s have cavity walls.
These can be insulated with mineral wool fibre, polystyrene beads
or foam. These are pumped into the cavity through a series of holes
drilled in the outside wall.
Cavity wall insulation has the largest cost savings and
installation costs have significantly reduced.
Cavity wall insulation can also help to reduce dampness on the
walls of the property.
As you cannot see cavity wall insulation there is no simple way
of checking that it has been done properly, we therefore recommend
you use a contractor who will issue a cavity wall guarantee
certificate produced by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee agency
(CIGA), which covers the work standards and materials used.
For insulation of solid walls see below.
For more detailed information on cavity wall and loft insulation
see our 'insulating your home'
page.
Hot Water Jacket
Insulating your hot water tank is a really cheap way to make big
savings, especially if the tank is in the loft where it can be cool
and draughty.
Current British standards state that the hot water tank jacket
should be at least 80mm thick. They cost about £10 and are
available in a variety of sizes. Most jackets can be installed
DIY.
Hot Water Pipe Insulation
Foam insulating piping can be fitted around hot water pipes. DIY
is usually possible, but for more tricky pipes to access
professional help may be required.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
TRVs detect the air temperature around the radiator and switch
it on and off accordingly. This means that each room temperature
can be controlled independently. This prevents wasteful
overheating. In rooms that are not occupied all the time, it makes
sense to set the TRVs to a lower level.
Room Thermostats
Room thermostats detect the air temperature around them and
switch the boiler on and off as it falls below or rises above a
preset temperature.
It is important not to place a room thermostat in a draught or
above a heat source.
Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC can save you 10% on your
heating bills.
Programmers
Fitting a programmer allows you to automatically control when
your heating and hot water is switched on and off. This means your
home can be ready-heated when you get up in the morning, and
switched off during whilst at work and during the night.
Draught proofing
Heat loss can occur through closed windows and doors through
gaps or spaces. Depending on the size of the gap or crack different
types of draught proofing are recommended. This is usually
relatively simple to install and DIY reduces the payback
period.
Major Works
External Wall Insulation
This is a method of insulation for solid wall properties.
Insulation is fixed to the external of the building and a
weatherproof protected finish added.
There are several methods of doing this. It is advisable to use
a specialist contractor for this. Check that you do not need
planning permission to do this before starting any work.
This is a large investment, but if renovating or resurfacing the
outside of the building then it may worthwhile considering
insulating at the same time.
Internal Wall Insulation (or dry lining)
This is another method for insulating solid walls. There are two
main methods for doing this, insulation boards attached directly to
the wall or wooden battens infilled with insulation.
Double-glazing
Windows are a major source of heat loss. Curtains, blinds and
shutters will help reduce this.
Single panes of glass are thin and therefore heat is lost
quickly through them. Double-glazing drastically reduces this, and
helps to eliminate cool areas around the window.
A window can be double-glazed by adding a second pane of glass
or plastic in front of the original (secondary glazing) or by
removing the existing single pane and replacing with a sealed
double-glazed window.
For either method it is essential for there to be an air gap
between the panes that is well sealed. This air gap acts as the
insulation, slowing the rate of heat loss.
Secondary glazing tends to be cheaper.
Energy Supplier Schemes
Most energy suppliers provide funding for cavity wall insulation
and loft insulation under The Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC).
Funding does vary depending on utility company, and house size and
type. For more information on whats available contact the Energy
Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.
Landlords and tenants
There are grants available for privately rented properties
for:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Hot water tank jackets
- Draught proofing
The level of grant varies depending on the tenant, but can be
100% of the cost of the works. This programme is managed by the
Energy Savings Trust. Please contact them directly for more
information (0845 674 5555).
The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance can help you claim back
your investment to insulate your home when completing your tax
return.