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Make your home energy efficient

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is all about using less energy which in turn, reduces pollution, carbon emissions and the cost of your energy bills. Having an energy efficient home focuses on reducing the amount of energy needed to power appliances and heat your home.

For example, you can create a more energy efficient home by having your loft properly insulated. This will reduce the amount of heat escaping through your roof and means your heating system doesn't need to work as hard to keep your home at the ideal temperature.

Did you know? According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 40% of the UK's carbon emissions come from our homes? That's why energy efficiency is everyone's responsibility as we move towards a net zero UK.

Why is energy efficiency important?

Being more energy efficient at home will help to lower the cost of your energy bills, lower your carbon footprint and even increase your property value. Energy efficient measures will also make your home more comfortable by being warmer, drier and properly ventilated.

Appliances such as TVs, microwaves, laptops and phone chargers still use electricity when they're not being used. Make sure you turn them off at the plug for a more energy efficient home.

On average, 65% of a house's energy is used up heating empty rooms. A smart thermostat works more efficiently by allowing you to heat up different rooms and zones separately.

Turning down your thermostat by just one degree is a small step to quickly improve your house's energy efficiency. Most homes are comfortable between 18-21 degrees.

Ways to create an energy efficient home

Efficient heating

Check your boiler

Having a modern boiler, which is well maintained, will heat up your home more efficiently. They burn fuel more efficiently and recover more heat from the exhaust flue gas than older boilers. Visit our heating hub for advice from our experts.

Efficient heating

Fuel your home with a heat pump

Heat pumps are around 3 to 4 times more efficient than LPG, oil, electricity and gas boilers. Thousands of homes in the UK are already feeling the benefits of a heat pump. With a government grant, you could save £5,000 on installation.

Grandad and grandson in garden solar panels on roof of house

Solar solutions

Generate energy with solar panels

Adding solar panels to your home means you can generate cleaner electricity and save on your bills. And adding a battery means you can store up excess energy to use when you need it.

employee holding smart in home display unit

Smart meters

Review your smart meter

Smart meters promote efficient home energy use by allowing you to review your energy consumption via the in-home display – see what's using the most energy at home.

Prevent heat loss

Keep your home warm with loft insulation

Prevent heat loss with loft insulation, keeping your home warmer for longer. Use our grant finder tool to see if you're eligible for a home energy efficient grant.

Small everyday changes to improve your efficiency

Making your house energy efficient doesn't need to take up a lot of time – a few small changes at home can really make a difference and noticably reduce your energy consumption. For example, switching to LED light bulbs are more efficient since they can last 10 times longer as compact fluorescent bulbs, and outlive incandescent light bulbs. They produce less heat too so less energy is wasted.

Fridges and dryers are two of the most energy-intensive appliances in a home, so it's best to replace these with more energy efficient models.

If you can, keep it cool when you wash – a wash at 30°C could save over a third of energy used when compared to washing at much higher temperatures.