Household retrofit guidance for private properties - Energy saving tips

Free and affordable energy-saving measures

Heating and appliance controls, such as timers, thermostats, and radiator valves, help you to stay comfortable in your home while conserving energy.

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Schedule your heating 

Many central heating systems, like boilers and heat pumps, have timers that allow you to schedule your heating. You can use these controls to heat only the areas you need, saving energy and reducing costs.

Set different temperatures for each room

Thermostatic radiator valves let you set different temperatures for each room. For example, you can keep the downstairs warmer if that’s where you spend most of your time.

During winter, avoid turning off your radiators completely - as this can cause dampness and mould to form when they are switched back on.

Energy Advice London has advice on staying in control of your heating.

Ways to conserve energy in your home

The Energy Saving Trust has useful tips on how to get the most out of your heating system to conserve energy and save on bills.

The Centre of Sustainable Energy provides detailed central heating information on how to save energy and money.

Basic draught proofing

Older homes often have draughts that let warm air escape, leading to discomfort and higher energy bills. 

Air leaks can occur through gaps around windows, doors, pipes, floorboards, and other areas – making your home harder to heat in winter and cool in summer.

Draught proofing improvements

To reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency, you can:

• fit brush or hinged flap draught excluders along the bottom of the door. Then, add a curtain that covers the whole door
• seal gaps with foam, metal, or plastic draught strips
• fill gaps around pipework with silicone or expanding foam
• use flexible fillers or decorators’ caulk to fill any gaps
• add flaps or brushes to keep cold air out
• use a chimney draught excluder or balloon to stop heat escaping

Do not block essential ventilation, such as air bricks, boiler flues, or trickle vents. 

Make sure that kitchens and bathrooms are well ventilated to prevent damp.

Cost: Less than £500

The Energy Saving Trust and Historic England have draught proofing guides to save energy and money. 

LED lighting and energy ratings for appliances

When purchasing new appliances such as fridges, washing machines or ovens, choose energy-efficient models. These products are rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). 

Lighting accounts for 15% of a typical UK household’s electricity bill, so switching to LED light bulbs can help lower costs.

Cost: Less than £500

The Energy Saving Trust has a useful guide to energy efficient lighting to help you lower electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions, including getting the best out of your LED lighting.

Also, The Centre of Sustainable Energy has tips on which energy saving lightbulbs to use for your lighting needs.

Insulating pipes, tanks and radiators

Insulating your pipes, hot water tank, and radiators is a quick and low-cost way to save money on your energy bills.

To insulate your pipes: Use foam tubes that fit around any exposed pipes carrying hot water. This helps keep the water warm and reduces the risk of pipes freezing.

Cost: Less than £500

If you have a hot water tank in your home, you can purchase an insulating jacket from DIY shops to fit around the tank. 

This works in the same way as the pipe insulation in that it helps to prevent heat loss from the tank and save on energy. An 80mm jacket is recommended by British Standards.

Cost: Less than £500

For radiators fitted on external walls in your home, installing reflector panels behind the radiator will help to stop heat loss through the wall and reflect the heat back into the room. These are particularly helpful for homes with uninsulated solid walls.

Cost: Less than £500

Reusing water and rainwater

Heating water in your home can consume a great deal of energy. You can reduce hot water use by fitting regulators to taps or installing water-efficient showerheads.

In the UK, one of the best ways to re-use rainwater is by installing a water butt connected to your downpipe. 

This allows you to collect rainwater for gardening or washing your car, reducing your reliance on mains water.

Cost: Less than £500

The Energy Saving Trust has easy to use tips to save water use in your home.

The Centre of Alternative Technology provides practical advice and tips for reusing rainwater and greywater.