Save energy and keep warm in your home

With energy prices increasing, many of us are looking for ways to reduce our expenses. This guidance includes advice on how to reduce your energy use, how to stay warm and highlights grants to make your home energy efficient.

Investments to save more money over the long term

From insulating your home to generating your own renewable energy, there are further investments you can make. Check out our grants advice page for retrofit and energy-saving funding options. 

Home insulation

Loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption. Underfloor insulation, wall insultation and new windows will also reduce energy consumption but are more expensive to install.

The Energy Saving Trust provides estimates of the typical installation costs for the different types of homes.

Heat Pumps

When upgrading your heating system, you could consider transitioning to a heat pump, a low carbon system and an alternative to gas central heating. Heat pumps are most effective when the house is either well insulated or insulation improvements have been implemented.

The Energy Saving Trust has advice on how different pumps work, costs and installation.

Solar Panels

With solar panels you generate your own electricity, reducing the amount you need to purchase from your supplier. As electricity costs have risen, solar panels can pay for themselves in as little as four years and will typically last over 20 years, following installation.

You can use the London solar opportunity map to check if your home is suitable for solar: and then use the Renewable Energy Hub database to look up a list of installers close to your postcode.

Upgrade your boiler

If your boiler is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing it with a modern high efficiency model. You can find a list of registered installers via Competent Persons Register, SNIPEF or Installers First. The installer for gas and LPG boilers must be Gas Safe registered. For oil boilers, it is recommended that you use an OFTEC registered installer.

For information on how to upgrade to a Heat Pump or other low carbon heating system contact an accredited installer who may be able to help you access grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Energy efficient windows

You can make your windows more energy efficient by installing double or triple glazing. You can find more information about this on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Prevent damp and mould

Poor ventilation is the most common cause of damp and mould growth, due to the build-up of condensation in the home. Buildings need to 'breathe' and rely on constant air circulation. Anything that stops the flow of air through your home prevents moisture from escaping or evaporating and leads to damp.

Drying clothes, cooking and even breathing can add moisture to the air in homes, which then forms condensation when it comes onto cold surfaces such as walls and windows.  When insulating and draught-proofing your home do not block ventilation grills or trickle vents.

To find out more, see our page on dealing with damp, condensation and mould.