More and more nowadays, people are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the planet – and to keep their energy bills down too!
Read on to find our easy energy-saving tips and sustainable switches, so you can have a more energy-efficient home.
Do I need to make sustainable home switches?
You don’t have to make any eco-friendly or energy-saving switches in your home, but it can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
The UK government has a tool for improving your home’s sustainability. This gives you some recommendations based on factors like:
- where you live
- what kind of walls your home has
- what kind of roof your home has
How sustainable is my home?
The easiest way to find out your home’s energy efficiency is with an energy performance certificate (EPC).
This uses different factors of your home to give you an efficiency rating between A and E, with A being the highest grade.
You can check your home’s EPC rating or register for a new EPC via GOV.UK.
Quick and easy sustainable switches
If you want to save on money and time, there are some small sustainable home switches you can make.
Install radiator foil
Radiator foil helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes through your walls.
Instead, it pushes it back into the room, helping you make the most of the heat your radiator produces.
Use LED or smart lightbulbs
If you use halogen lightbulbs at home, switching to LEDs can save you money and be kinder on the planet, as LEDs are more energy efficient.
If you already have LED bulbs, think about making the move to smart bulbs.
With smart bulbs, you can set timers on lighting, dim your lights and turn them on or off remotely.
Switch to eco mode
If you have a dishwasher and washing machine at home, using their eco mode settings can make all the difference.
Eco modes wash at a lower temperature, saving you energy.
Invest in thermal curtains
Thermal curtains are designed to trap heat in your room, reducing the amount that escapes through your windows.
You can find these at most home furnishing stores.
Bigger sustainable switches
If you want to make more of a change, you could consider some bigger sustainable home switches.
Change your wall insulation
Wall insulation needs to be replaced at different times, depending on the type of insulation you have.
Replacing your insulation with a better alternative can help you save on energy by reducing how much heat escapes.
You can change your wall insulation on your own if you have the skill and experience, but most people use professional services.
Install solar panels
Solar panels can be expensive to install, and it usually takes years to make your money back via savings on energy bills.
But if you have the patience for this switch, it can make all the difference. Remember, you’ll need professionals to install them for you.
Are there any energy schemes?
The UK government supports different energy schemes for homeowners to help them benefit from being more sustainable.
The funding for these schemes is provided by installers, energy companies and local authorities.
Some well-known energy schemes the UK government is investing in include:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Home Upgrade Grant phase 2
- Sustainable Warmth Competition
- Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
- Energy Company Obligation
- Great British Insulation Scheme
You can apply to these schemes using GOV.UK’s application pages.
Can my energy provider help me be more sustainable?
Yes. Energy providers often offer support for sustainability and saving energy.
The Energy Company Obligation scheme offers help with energy-saving home improvement costs in certain cases, such as when:
- you’re living in social housing
- you're renting from a private landlord
