When thinking about how to save energy in your home, heating may well be one of the first things you think of. Heating our homes and places of work accounts for around a fifth of the UK’s total emissions so finding ways to be as efficient as possible is a great way to tackle climate change.
When thinking about the way you heat your home it’s important to not only think of how you produce heat in the first place, but also how you keep the heat inside your home. See how we break it down below.
Insulation
Having an efficient heat source is great for keeping energy usage down in your home, more importantly though is ensuring that the heat isn’t escaping. Keeping heat in the home means you will need a smaller amount of heat to warm up the home in the first place, saving you money over the course of a year.
Heating a home becomes a lot more expensive and inefficient when most of the heat is escaping through the roof, windows or walls. Here are some of the ways you can stop heat escaping:
Loft insulation
Around a quarter of heat in a house is lost through the loft due to the way that heat rises. If your loft is unused, or just a storage space, fitting insulation is a great way to save this heat from escaping. Installing loft insulation is relatively inexpensive and can save you hundreds of pounds per year, as well as saving hundreds of kilograms of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
The recommended level of loft insulation is 270 mm, and the approximate cost of the materials and installation is £300. However, loft insulation can save you up to £180 per year. This means after around two years you will start to make a saving.
Average cost of installation: £300
Average savings per year: £180
ROI: 2-3 years
Wall insulation
Similarly, wall insulation helps to save energy from escaping through the walls of your home. The most common form of wall insulation is cavity wall insulation, which involves filling the cavity with insulation to trap heat. The materials used for cavity wall insulation vary from foam to polystyrene beads to glass and mineral wool, however they all work in a similar way.
For solid walls, internal or external insulation is available, which involves fixing a layer of insulation to the inside or outside walls to save heat from escaping. This is typically a more expensive option for installation, but will save money and reduce CO2 each year.
The recommended level of insulation for cavity walls is the same as the loft recommendation; 270 mm. Though the approximate cost of cavity wall insulation is higher, at around £400-500. The approximate annual saving for cavity wall insulation is £140, meaning after around four years you will start to make a saving.
It’s always worth checking with insulation what you already have, as you might find you already have insulation, but not up to the recommended 270 mm. If this is the case, it would be cheaper to top it up, so your upfront costs won’t be as high. Additionally, you might also be able to insulate some parts of your home yourself, again, bringing those upfront costs down.
Average cost of installation: £500
Average savings per year: £140
ROI: 3-4 years
Double or triple glazing
Draughty windows provide an easy escape for heat. While newer homes and renovations typically come with double glazing as standard, some older homes still have single glazed windows which can be leaky or draughty due to their age. Some suppliers even produce triple glazed windows which can save energy even better than double glazed. Costs can vary depending on the size and type of window you need, but upgrading your windows can be another great way of saving money and heat over years of use.
The below graph is taken from the government website, and shows the savings you stand to make the different types of double or triple glazed windows, depending on your house type.
| Energy rating | Detached | Semi detached | Mid terrace | Bungalow | Mid-floor flat |
| A rated | £120-155 | £80-110 | £65-85 | £55-75 | £40-55 |
| B rated | £110-140 | £75-100 | £60-80 | £50-70 | £35-55 |
| C rated | £105-135 | £75-95 | £60-75 | £50-65 | £35-50 |
Though it’s important to remember the installation costs of installing glazed windows, as you might find it takes a while to see a tangible return on your investment.
For example, a three bedroom semi-detached house (9 windows) would cost £4,400 for triple glazed. Considering your average savings per year are unlikely to exceed £150, it will take you a while to see a ROI.
Average cost of installation: £4,400 (double-glazed, semi-detached)
Average savings per year: £100
ROI: 3.5 years
Heating systems
Inefficient heating systems are the main causes of higher heating and energy bills in households, with heating energy accounting for around 50% of all the energy used in the home. While radiators are the most common, take a look at some of the other options that are available:
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating has evolved to become incredibly versatile, with options available throughout the whole house, rather than just a single room as some may be used to. Underfloor heating offers many benefits over traditional radiators and is suitable for a wide variety of floor types.
Underfloor heating works out around 25% more efficient than radiators, and can even be as much as 40% more energy- efficient when paired with a heat pump. It’s no surprise that many eco-building projects look to underfloor heating and heat pumps as the primary heat source. Like with any heating system, having the right amount of insulation when fitting wet underfloor heating is key to getting the most out of your underfloor heating system.
It is estimated that underfloor heating can save you around 25% a year on your energy bills. However, this could be higher depending on the areas of your home it’s installed in, and what kind of heating system it’s paired with.
| The running costs have been based on a standard electricity price of £0.39 per kWh and a domestic natural gas price of £0.12 per kWh (correct as of Oct 2022). | |||
Air source heat Pump
Heat pumps are possibly the most efficient and eco-friendly ways to heat a home. They work by extracting heat from the air or ground, converting it into heating for your home and hot water. Where gas boilers operate at around 92% efficiency, heat pumps can reach up to 400% which can means lower running costs and lower emissions all-round.
The upfront costs of heat pumps can be off-putting for some, but there are financial incentives available to help cover the cost. Heat pumps will be vital for the future of homes as part of the Government’s ‘green revolution’, and provide a huge benefit to homes.
Installing an air source heat pump can potentially save you hundreds of pounds. It can be quite difficult to make accurate saving estimates, as it will depend on a number of factors, including house size, the make of the air source heat pump, as well as what kind of system it’s paired with.
However, according to the Energy Savings Trust, you stand to make the following savings per year with an air source heat pump:
If you have a gas boiler, changing to an ASHP can save you around £395 per year, if it is G rated. However, if it is A rated, you are looking at a loss of around £80 per year.
For LGP boilers, you stand to save £590 per year, if it is G rated, and £35 per year, if the boiler is A rated.
If you switch out your oil boiler for an air source heat pump, you can save £105 per year, if it’s G rated, and a loss of £330 per year, if it’s A rated.
These figures are annual and based on a four bedroomed, detached house.
Average cost of installation: £3,000 – £6,000 (including £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant)
Average savings per year: £-330 – £590
ROI: 3 – 6 years
Ground source heat pump
It’s estimated the average performing GSHP is capable of saving:
- £-205 – £520 per year when paired with an average oil heating system.
- £145 – £870 per year when paired with an average gas heating system.
- £380 – £1200 per year when paid with an average LGP heating system.
- £1,600 – £2,500 per year when paired with an average electric heating system.
These savings are based on an averaged sized, four bedroom detached home. You may stand to save more depending on the size of your home. Additionally, pairing a ground source heat pump with solar panels or underfloor heating can see you save even more.
Average cost of installation: £10,000 – 12,000 (including £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant)
Average savings per year: £-205 – £2,500
ROI: 5 – 8 years
Solar Thermal
Solar thermal panels are an effective way to provide your hot water whilst saving energy. They convert energy from the sun into heat by warming fluid within the panels. Solar thermal panels can produce up to 60% of your home’s annual hot water, and up to 100% in the summer months. Not only does this help you to save energy but it can also lower your energy bills.
Solar thermal panels are a great choice for those who are not looking to undertake a large renovation job. Minimal upheaval is required for installation and initial costs tend to be affordable.
Tips to save extra heat energy in your home
Solar PV panels
The biggest savings from solar panels will come from using the power they generate. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the standard household with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system can save anything between £205 – £610 per year off their bills.
Additionally, with solar panels, you also have the opportunity to sell any excess energy you generate though SEG and FiT schemes. The amount you get paid will depend on the company, as well as how much excess energy you have been able to generate.
The amount can range between £100 – £1,000 per year, and will obviously mean you will see a faster return on your investment The table below shows what some companies are willing to pay per kWh of energy.
| Energy supplier | Price (p/kWh) | Name of tariff |
| Tesla (requires Powerwall 2 battery) | 24 | Tesla energy plan |
| Octopus Energy (own customers) | 15 | Outgoing Fixed |
| Bulb (own customers) | 5.57 | Export Payments |
| E.On (new E.On solar PV customers) | 5.5 | Next Export Exclusive |
| ScottishPower | 5.5 | Smart Export Variable Tariff |
| Pozitive Energy | 5 | SEG tariff |
| SO Energy | 5 | So Altair |
| Octopus Energy (non-customers) | 4.1 | Outgoing Go |
| OVO | 4 | OVO SEG Tariff |
| SSE | 3.5 | Smart Export Tariff |
| Shell Energy | 3.5 | SEG V1.1 Tariff |
| British Gas | 3.2 | Export & Earn Flex |
| Utilita | 3 | Utilita Smart Export Guarantee |
| Bulb (non-customers) | 3 | Export Payments |
| E.On (all other customers) | 3 | Next Export |
| Utility Warehouse | 2 | UW Smart Export Guarantee |
| EDF | 1.5 | Export+Earn |
| E | 1 | E SEG January2020v.1 |
Average cost of installation: £5,500
Average savings per year: £205 – £610
ROI: 9 years – 27 years (depending on location)
Master your thermostat and heating controls
Use a timer to ensure your heating only comes on when you need it, and so it only stays on just as long as you need. Some smart thermostats can be controlled remotely using your smartphone, so if you end up not being at home when your heating is planned to come on, you can switch it off, saving you energy and money in the long run. Taking the time to learn how your heating system works, how long it takes to reach certain temperatures and how you can control it using a thermostat can pay off.
Reduce the maximum temperature
During cold weather it feels like you might need to crank the heating up to compensate for frozen fingers and toes when you’ve been out and about, however think twice before you set the temperature to the max. Knocking the temperature of your heating down by just 1°C could cut up to 10% off your energy use per year, and you are unlikely to notice the difference!
Heating room by room
If you typically spend a certain time of day, such as the evening, in only one room of your house then it is best to selectively heat that one specific room to a comfortable temperature. Keeping doors to unused rooms closed helps to keep heat in, adding another way of insulating and reducing draughts throughout the house.
Saving Electricity
With the popularity of ‘smart’ devices and electronics in everyday life, it can be easy to overlook how much energy we use. However, saving energy can be simple in the home with just a few simple steps:
Check your standby devices
Many devices have standby modes which aim to save energy when the device isn’t being used. This can be useful for short time periods in between use however if you don’t plan on using your device for a while, it is always best to switch your devices fully off when not in use to save the most energy. Charges for electronic devices such as smart phones and laptops use energy even when not in use, if your laptop or smart phone is fully charged then unplug the charger until it is ready for a charge again to save energy in between uses.
Avoid energy intensive items
White goods and household appliances come with energy ratings from G to A+++ and while the upfront cost of the more efficient appliances may be slightly higher, they use less energy to run which means lower costs. An A+++ fridge costs a third of what a B rated fridge costs to run per year, for example.
Little changes can mean big differences
Making little changes around the house may not make a huge impact on their own but can add up when used together, for example: washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than 40, switching appliances off at the plug when not in use and switching light bulbs from filament to LED all can save energy and money per year.
Saving Water
Saving water in the home can be simple. Think about the places where you use the most water in your house, where the majority of it ends up not being used and going straight down the drain. Using less hot water in the bathroom has the double benefit of saving water and heat simultaneously, thus saving you more money.
Fill up your dishwasher and washing machine
It might be obvious but is often overlooked, using dishwashers and washing machines regularly on half loads uses more energy and water than if they were on full wash cycles. If you have a small amount of dishes after a meal, consider hand washing. For clothes, try to wait until you can fill your washing machine to maximise on efficiency.
Install water efficient systems in your bathroom
Installing a low-flush toilet helps you from flushing unnecessary water, and money, away every time you use the toilet. Low-flush toilets use around 50% less water over the course of their lifetime, which is a substantial reduction. Similarly, low-flow or regulated flow taps and shower heads can help save hot water when you wash, saving you heat energy and water at the same time.
If you’re ready to make the change to becoming more energy efficient in your home and want to make the change towards renewable and low temperature heating, get in touch to see how we can help.
