How To Make A Home More Energy Efficient Following The Energy Price Cap Increase
This month has seen the introduction of the new energy price cap and with it comes a 10% increase for a typical household’s energy bill. With this in mind, making your home more energy efficient has never been so important. By doing so, not only can it help you save money on your utility bills, but it also benefits the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
In this blog, we share some useful tips on how to make a home more energy efficient following the increase of the energy price cap. From small simple changes to larger home upgrades with the help of government incentives, these practical and effective tips will not only enhance your home’s energy efficiency, but also save you money and become much more eco-friendly.
What is the latest October energy price increase?
As of 1st October 2024, the energy price cap in the UK has gone up for a typical household from £1,568 to £1,717 per year for those who use gas and electricity and pay by Direct Debit. As mentioned, this is a 10% increase from the last cap, however it’s important to remember that if you use more energy, you will pay more.
This energy price cap, which is determined by Ofgem, is in place until 31st December 2024 with the next review taking place in November. This review will determine the energy price cap for January to March 2025.
This new rise in energy prices puts more pressure on families already dealing with high living costs. Higher energy bills can make it hard to manage budgets, however there are ways you can reduce the amount of energy you use which in the long run, reduces the amount you spend on your energy bills.
Tips on how to make a home more energy efficient
Despite the October energy price increase, the good news is there are many ways in which you can make your home more energy efficient. Focusing on energy efficiency can help in two ways: reduce your energy bills and positively impact the environment. Changes can range from easy improvements you can make in your home to bigger home upgrades. Here are some of our top tips on how to make a home more energy efficient.
Check if you’re eligible for ECO4 funding
One of the most cost effective ways to strive for an energy efficient home is to check if you’re eligible for ECO4 funding. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is an energy efficiency scheme where energy suppliers have a legal obligation to install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and heating measures, to domestic properties.
With this funding, it enables low income and vulnerable households to make their home more energy efficient with little to no cost to them. From cavity wall insulation to loft insulation to renewable energy sources like heat pumps, ECO4 funding provides financial incentives for homeowners to make eco-friendly upgrades to their properties, enabling them to improve their EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating, reduce heat waste, and cut their energy consumption.
The eligibility criteria for this scheme depends on if you receive certain benefits, if you’re on a low income, or if you live in a property with a low EPC rating. You can find a full list of eligibility criteria on the gov.co.uk website. If you’re still unsure whether you qualify for this funding, speak to a certified installer, like Eco Providers, or you can use our handy ECO4 online application tool to check if you’re eligible in 60 seconds.
Consider installing solar to your property
While the initial costs of installing solar panels to your property may seem high, the multitude of benefits that comes with it overtime far outweighs these costs. Generating your own free and clean energy from sunlight, solar panels can reduce your reliance on the National Grid and significantly reduce your electricity bills. They’re also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, creating a more sustainable future for everyone.
And with government incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can actually sell excess energy you generate back to the grid, further increasing your return on investment. You can speak to an approved installer, like Eco Providers, for more information, or get a FREE instant quote online today.
It’s not just solar panels that can make your home more energy efficient either. Air source heat pumps are a fantastic heating solution that can transfer around three times more heat than it extracts into your home. Just like solar panels, air source heat pumps can help save you money on your energy bills and lower your environmental impact.
You may also be eligible as part of the ECO4 scheme for the fully funded installation of solar power systems and heating solutions to your property. You can use our online eligibility tool to see if you qualify.
Other ways to improve your homes energy efficiency
We’ve highlighted some of the bigger upgrades you can make to your property with the help of government incentives. But what are some of the small simple changes you can make for a more energy efficient home?
Draught proofing
One easy and affordable way to make your home more energy efficient is draught proofing. This often includes sealing gaps and cracks around your windows, doors, and loft hatches. Simple draught proofing can save you a whole lot of energy as it enables your home to maintain a cosy temperature by sealing in the heat and keeping out the cold.
You can draught proof your home with easy-to-find materials like draught excluders, weather stripping, sealant, and expanding foam. Tackling those draughts is a simple DIY job that can greatly improve your home’s energy performance and keep your home warmer for longer.
Upgrade your windows
If your home has single-glazed windows, changing to double or triple glazing can really help keep the heat in. Double-glazed windows have two glass panes with an insulating gas in the middle. Triple glazing adds another pane and layer of gas for even better insulation.
This extra insulation helps to reduce heat loss, so you need less energy to heat your home. Upgrading your windows may mean an upfront cost, however the long term savings on your energy bills, better comfort, and less noise make it a smart choice.
Change your lightbulbs to energy efficient ones
Switching from regular bulbs to energy-saving LED bulbs is an easy way to create an energy efficient home. LED bulbs use far much less electricity than incandescent bulbs and this leads to lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions.
LED bulbs do cost a little more, however they last much longer, meaning you will not have to buy new bulbs as frequently. When buying LED bulbs, be sure to check their energy rating and opt for ones with a higher energy rating for better efficiency.
Don’t leave things on standby
Many well known appliances still use power even when they seem to be turned off. While it may not seem like a lot for each appliance, it can add up to a big amount over time and can contribute to higher energy bills.
Try and get into the habit of turning off appliances completely at the wall socket when you’re not using them. This easy step stops them from using any unnecessary power in standby mode and helps you save energy and money.
Speak to Eco Providers today for more information
With the recent October energy price increase, it’s easy to worry about the rising cost of energy. However, as we’ve highlighted there are small simple changes you can make to help reduce your energy bills. And with government incentives like the ECO4 scheme, you can make bigger, more eco-friendly upgrades to your home with little to no cost for you.
Here at Eco Providers, we’re a government-backed, Trustmark-registered company that specialises in providing tailored heating and insulation upgrades. Our mission is to combat fuel poverty, help you reduce your energy bills, and lower your carbon emissions.
If you’d like to learn more about the ECO4 scheme, or you’d like to check your eligibility, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Similarly, if you’d like to learn more about how we can help install solar power to your property, speak to us or get a FREE instant quote online today. We’re here to answer any questions you have and provide you with tailored heating and insulation solutions for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any immediate steps I can take to reduce my energy bill?
The simplest answer is to use less energy, but this can be difficult especially as we head into the winter months. Some immediate ways to reduce your energy include switching to energy efficient light bulbs, unplugging appliances that aren’t in use, taking shorter showers, and setting your thermostat a few degrees lower.
What should I know about the October energy price increase?
The energy price cap affects electricity and gas bills. It sets a limit on how much energy suppliers can charge for energy and this applies for the UK, including England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland has a different energy market with its own regulations, so this price cap doesn’t affect them. It runs from 1st October to 31st December 2024, with the new energy price cap being set on 1st January 2025.
What are some long term benefits of making energy efficient upgrades to my home?
Investing in efficient home improvements does more than just save energy and lower bills. It also helps reduce your carbon footprint, meaning you’re doing your bit to fight climate change and support a more sustainable future.
How can I identify areas in my home that are contributing to energy waste?
An energy audit helps find places in your home that are losing heat and we can provide you with one here at Eco Providers. The usual issues include poorly insulated lofts, external walls, and ground floors, and draughty windows or doors. Gaps around pipework can also be a contributing factor. With a comprehensive energy audit, you can easily identify and fix these problems which will significantly lower heat loss and boost your home’s energy efficiency.