What is an energy-efficient property?
In most cases, an energy-efficient home is a house or a flat with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between A-C. The average UK property currently holds a D rating, which suggests there’s often room for improvement.* In many cases, having a high rating also means you reduce your negative impact on the environment, and you pay less in energy bills.
How energy efficient is my home?
Your home may have an energy certificate, which shows how well your property uses energy. This certificate, known as an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), also offers suggestions on what improvements you can make to boost your property’s energy efficiency. If you’ve misplaced or can’t find the energy certificate, you can easily search for it on the Government website.
Your EPC may also include estimated costs and projected savings for each recommended improvement, making it a practical starting point.
6 easy tips to make your home more energy-efficient
To help you make “greener” choices and save some money at the same time, here are our top tips and quick wins to help you cut energy use and costs.
- Turn the lights off in rooms you don’t use.
- Don’t leave appliances in stand-by mode.
- Install a smart meter to easily manage your heating schedule – even when you’re away.
- Turn the heating down. Lowering your thermostat by just 1 °C could reduce your energy bills by up to 10%.**
- Use energy-efficient lightbulbs. Although an LED lightbulb may have a larger up-front cost, it will last longer and help you reduce your energy consumption.
- Consider installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to control the temperature of individual radiators and avoid heating unused rooms.
What further energy-efficient home improvements can I make?
In addition to the above tips, there are many more “green” improvements you can do to make your home more energy efficient.
Below, we’ll explore several other energy-saving options that are worth considering:
Insulation
Insulating your property is a key factor in improving energy efficiency. There are various types of insulation available to help regulate temperature in a flat or a house, including under floor insulation, solid and cavity wall insulation, and loft insulation. For this reason, you’ll often find that newly built properties tend to have better energy ratings. If you're interested in buying a new build, why not explore available homes today.
