Spend-to-save home improvements
You can find ways to save energy in your home by making larger improvements to help make it more energy efficient. They can cost more upfront but should save you money on your energy bills over time. They may also improve health and wellbeing by reducing damp, mould and condensation in your home.
Insulate your hot water cylinder to save up to £50 a year
If you have a hot water tank, you can invest in a hot water cylinder jacket, available in most hardware shops and online. It reduces the amount of heat the cylinder loses and keeps water hot for longer, making them more efficient and cheaper to use.
Install smart thermostats and heating controls to save up to £50 a year
Smart thermostats and heating controls offer greater flexibility and control over your energy use. Smart controls do everything that conventional heating controls do but are connected to the internet and offer more functionality such as allowing you to adjust your temperature settings when you’re not at home via a smartphone.
Install roof and loft insulation to save up to £285 a year
Loft insulation is one of the most straightforward ways to increase insulation in your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if you don’t have any, adding 270mm thickness could save you £285 a year. If you already have 120mm, increasing this to 270mm could save you £35 a year.
You can either do this yourself, or ask a professional.
Replace your boiler with a heat pump with the help of a government grant
Heat pumps use cleaner electricity and are significantly more efficient than traditional boilers so will reduce your home’s energy usage. The government is offering grants of £5,000 off the cost of a heat pump to properties across England and Wales through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Check if you’re eligible for a heat pump grant on GOV.UK.
Upgrade to more energy efficient appliances to save on your energy bills
All electrical appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and TVs have an energy rating A-G, A being high and G lowest. A higher rating means the device is more energy efficient. You can compare models by how much electricity they use. For example, upgrading from a C rated washing machine to an A rated one could reduce the energy you use to wash your clothes by 25%.
For example, upgrading from a C rated washing machine to an A rated one could reduce the energy you use to wash your clothes by 25%.
Install solar panels on your roof to save £305 per year
The Energy Saving Trust estimate that you can save around £305 per year by installing solar electricity panels on your roof. These panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. Once you’ve paid for the initial installation, you can generate your own renewable electricity and reduce your electricity costs.
Sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation, you can generate your own renewable electricity and reduce your electricity costs.
Upgrade to double glazing to save £175 a year
According to the Energy Saving Trust, upgrading from single to double glazing could reduce the cost of your bills by £175 a year. It will also reduce cold draughts and sound pollution from outside.
Install underfloor insulation to save £85 a year
Floor insulation can not only make floors feel warmer and more comfortable in your home, but it can also help reduce your heating bills.
Cavity wall insulation could save you £300 a year
Cavity wall insulation is installed in the space or ‘cavity’ between the inner and outer walls of a property and can typically be fitted in homes built after the 1920s. This type of insulation helps to keep heat inside your home, making it more comfortable and lowering your heating costs.
You will need an installer to carry out a survey to check that your home is suitable, and the work takes approximately 2 hours for an average house. TrustMark will help you find a trusted installer that is thoroughly vetted and continually monitored to ensure they meet required standards.