Top five home energy efficiency improvements
18th February 2025
From the longer, warmer days to seeing the trees wake up from winter, there’s a lot to like about the spring. Many of us celebrate this seasonal fresh start by showing our homes some love – with a spring clean, a declutter, or even an eye towards home improvements we have in mind for the year.
Some of the best home improvements are the ones that can pay for themselves in the long run. The kind of changes that can cut the cost of our energy bills, and keep us cosier when it’s cold.
In this article, we talk about the different types of home in the UK, how they typically vary in energy efficiency, and the top five energy efficiency measures you could think about doing to save money on your bills.
Types of homes in the UK
The era your home was built in can make a big difference to your bills. That’s because over time, construction materials and methods, heating systems, and home sizes and styles have changed.
But what are the main characteristics of different types of homes that could be costing you money?
Period homes
Period homes
They may seem very different, but Georgian townhouses, Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and charming traditional cottages have plenty in common. For one, they can be prone to shedding heat through their brick or stone walls. While original features like bare floorboards, bay windows and fireplaces are also common culprits of heat loss.
Detached and semis
Detached and semis
Typically generous in size, detached and semi-detached properties are already a lot of home to heat. Then there are all the windows, walls, floor and roof spaces you can lose heat from (particularly in bungalows). Many of these homes built in the mid-20th century may also have older, less efficient heating systems still in use.
Flats
Flats
Shared walls, floors and ceilings can help keep your home naturally insulated. But with older blocks in particular, there may be inefficiencies that are out of your control, like communal heating systems or draughty corridors.
New builds
New builds
Before even breaking ground, new builds are designed with the latest standards of energy efficiency in mind. But modern open-plan living can mean several large spaces to heat. So investing in cost-cutting furnishings can still help you save.
Top tips for a more energy efficient home
We all like to save money on our energy bills where we can. But you might be renting, have found your forever home, or have a specific budget in mind. That’s why we’ve got ideas for everyone: from longer-term investments to small changes that can still help you save.
Insulation is key to improving energy efficiency
One of the best ways to run an efficient home is to stop heat running away.
Big ideas
Having insulation fitted somewhere you’re already settled may sound like a major inconvenience. But adding cavity wall insulation or upgrading what’s laid in the loft can be a lot simpler and less expensive than you might think. And as up to 1/3 of your home’s heat can escape through your walls, and up to 1/4 through your roof, proper insulation can make a big dent in your bills.
Inexpensive wins
If you have hard flooring anywhere in your home, like wood, tiles or laminate, rugs are one of the best inexpensive insulators. As well as being comfortable underfoot, they are a great thermal barrier for trapping heat. And for exposed pipework, pipe jackets (also known as lagging) can significantly reduce heat loss, with prices as affordable as £1 per metre.
Get energy efficient windows
Another avenue heat loves to escape through.
Big ideas
Replacing old single glazing with double or even triple glazing is, without a doubt, an expensive upgrade and a big job. But it’s still worth serious consideration if you plan to stay put for decades to come. In some circumstances, repairing or restoring your current windows may help improve their efficiency without breaking the bank.
Inexpensive wins
Window glazing films are an easy way to add another thermal layer to your existing windows. And not only can they help trap heat in the winter, but keep your home cooler in the summer. Heavy, thermal curtains are another simple way to stop heat escaping. And if you already have curtains you love, then thermal liners can offer the same sort of benefits.
Draught proofing your home
Not only do draughts let cold air in. They push hot air out.
Big ideas
Draughty floorboards can be a drain on your home heating. And pulling them up to fit underfloor insulation is usually quite disruptive. But if you have exposed floorboards already, filling the gaps between them is a much simpler task. It doesn’t require a lot of expensive materials either, but you’ll probably want to call in the experts to get the best results.
Inexpensive wins
Fortunately, there are plenty of wallet-friendly fixes to deal with draughts. From your classic snake-like draught excluders to sticky draught stopper strips you can add to door and window frames yourself. Letterbox and keyhole covers can help shore up your front door. And if you’re feeling the cold from your fireplace, a chimney balloon or plug can close it off. It’s temporary too, so you can simply remove it when you next want to light a fire.
Ways to upgrade your heating system
A modern heating system could be the secret to serious savings.
Big ideas
Changing the heart of your home heating system is a decision that’s unfortunately often made for you. But delaying the inevitable could be costing you money. While the efficiency of some older boilers can be as low as 60%, new boilers boast upwards of 90% efficiency. State-of-the-art heat pumps are extremely energy efficient too, and have longer lifespans than traditional boilers.
Inexpensive wins
In many instances, overhauling your entire heating system may be overkill. But there are several simpler upgrades to help you cut costs at home. Smart thermostats and radiator valves can cleverly manage your heating, stopping you from wasting energy unnecessarily. And rather than replacing older radiators, reflectors can help you make the most of what you’ve got.
Maintaining an energy efficient home
Improvements can be as simple as making sure everything is in shipshape.
Big ideas
Proper maintenance can be one of the most cost-effective ways to save money on your bills. Not only will a yearly boiler or heat pump service ensure everything at home is working at its most energy efficient, but can prevent pricier problems cropping up in the future.
Inexpensive wins
It’s a good idea to bleed your radiators at least once a year to keep them working at their best, then topping up your boiler pressure if need be. While you’re at it, it’s worth checking your boiler temperature isn’t set higher than necessary. Dropping it down from its default temperature to between 55-60°C can save you up to 6% on your energy bills.
Getting help with energy saving home improvements
If you’re interested in making any energy-efficient home improvements, you may be able to get funding to help cover the costs. There are several national and local financial support schemes that will be worth looking into.
Here’s some suggestions of where to start looking:
- Free insulation and boiler grants
- Boiler upgrade scheme
- Heat pump grants
- Heat pump grants in Scotland
- Help to improve a home with no mains gas boiler
- Warmer Homes Scheme Scotland
- Nest scheme Wales
For more helpful information visit The Source.