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Save energy in your home next winter and forever
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Have a look at our suggestions below to see if they give you any ideas for saving energy and money and making a personal contribution to slowing global heating. Then if you would like to discuss anything contact us at aafaf.warmerhomes@gmail.com. We will get back to you for a chat over the phone and follow this up with a visit if you wish but note that we are not qualified to provide professional advice..
Have a look for problems on the outside: maintenance is very important
Damp penetration from the outside can be a source of heat loss and could eventually create a serious and expensive problem. Check from the safety of the ground, using a pair of binoculars if you have them.
Damp penetration from the outside can be a source of heat loss and could eventually create a serious and expensive problem. Check from the safety of the ground, using a pair of binoculars if you have them.
- Check gutters, hoppers and downpipes are all working well - best done on a wet day to see if there is water overflowing or leaking out.
- Check roofs for broken or slipped slates or tiles. Check vulnerable areas around chimney stacks and ridge lines. Lead flashing and soakers are hard to check from the ground but if these have moved or come away from the wall water might be getting in.
- Ensure drains and gullies at ground level are clear and debris is not likely to get washed into them. For solid wall houses in particular check that there hasn't been a build-up of earth against the base of external walls preventing moisture from evaporating.
The ideas below are colour coded.
Those in green can be carried out by many householders without help and you may be able to get free advice under the CAfS Cold to Cosy scheme if you are on low income or are vulnerable. If you are not eligible you can still pay for help.
For those in yellow get expert help or advice (CAfS may be able to help you with this).
For those in blue get expert advice and consider applying for grants (again CAfS may be able to help you with suggestions). Some of these items may require planning permission..
Those in green can be carried out by many householders without help and you may be able to get free advice under the CAfS Cold to Cosy scheme if you are on low income or are vulnerable. If you are not eligible you can still pay for help.
For those in yellow get expert help or advice (CAfS may be able to help you with this).
For those in blue get expert advice and consider applying for grants (again CAfS may be able to help you with suggestions). Some of these items may require planning permission..
Simple and relatively cheap actions inside
You may be able to get these done for free if you are on low income or pension benefits. Even if you have to pay these are likely to save you money in the first year or so.
You may be able to get these done for free if you are on low income or pension benefits. Even if you have to pay these are likely to save you money in the first year or so.
- Draught-proof around doors, letter boxes, skirting board
- Stop up chimneys that are rarely or never used – cheapest method is a “Chimney Sheep” made from Herdwick wool. It costs about £30, is easy to fit and will save the cost in heat lost up the chimney in its first year
- Change old style light bulbs to LEDs
- Make sure that your thermostats and radiator valves are set effectively
- Check the insulation in your loft and look around for evidence of roof leaks
- Do you have an efficient insulation jacket on your hot water tank?
- If you have a thermostat and it will not risk your health, turn it down a degree and put on an extra jumper
- Put up blinds or thick curtains on windows and curtains over doors
- Fit a draught excluder round your loft hatch and a layer of insulation on the hatch
- Install loft insulation if you have none or consider adding more if you have only a thin layer up to the joists: 270mm is the recommended minimum.
More expensive but very cost-effective actions
These actions can be expected to save money over a few years.
These actions can be expected to save money over a few years.
- Don’t heat rooms while you are not using them by fitting a thermostat to each radiator. They cost about £20 each plus the cost of fitting by a plumber
- If there are parts of the house you use for only part of the day it may be worth fitting a smart room thermostat and smart radiator valves (cost about £500)
- Add secondary double glazing to any single glazed windows
Even more expensive actions (some for consideration when you are carrying out other work)
- Use thicker underlay, or boarding over old floorboards with a thin sheet of plywood to stop draught coming up through the gaps
- Add cavity wall insulation (or check it if you believe it was filled in the past – it may have slumped and be ineffective). Get independent advice to confirm that it is a suitable measure for your house
- For houses with solid walls add internal or external insulation – get expert advice as walls must be able to breathe
- Install solar panels, possibly including battery storage
- Replace single with double glazing. This provides additional comfort but is very poor value for money and has high embodied carbon. Secondary glazing may be a better option if windows are in good repair.
- Install an air- or ground-source heat pump (but only after you have taken most of the other measures above to achieve a high level of insulation)
Older buildings
If you live in an older property, (built before 1920), it’s important to be aware of how the building performs in order to avoid trapping moisture in the walls. CAfS have some fact sheets, guides and videos to help explain the issues on their website: https://cafs.org.uk/for-your-home/insulation-for-pre-1920-homes/.
You can also learn more about options for improving the energy efficiency of older buildings on Historic England’s website: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/energy-efficiency-and-historic-buildings/.
If you live in an older property, (built before 1920), it’s important to be aware of how the building performs in order to avoid trapping moisture in the walls. CAfS have some fact sheets, guides and videos to help explain the issues on their website: https://cafs.org.uk/for-your-home/insulation-for-pre-1920-homes/.
You can also learn more about options for improving the energy efficiency of older buildings on Historic England’s website: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/energy-efficiency-and-historic-buildings/.
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