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Energy Efficiency
Sustainability
Standards & Regulations

How to make your home more energy efficient in 2023

James Francis
James Francis
August 1, 2023

Rising energy prices were on the agenda for most of 2022, with various different global factors playing a part in increased costs of wholesale supplies, which almost quadrupled. Following an energy price cap increase of 12% in October 2021, there was a further increase of 54% in April 2022. In an attempt to control the situation, in October 2022, the government implemented the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), though at £2,500 for typical annual consumption levels, it was still 27% higher than the summer 2022 cap. In April 2023, the EPG increased again to £3,000. 

There are predictions that lower energy wholesale prices will begin to drive down prices from July 2023, though the actual outcome of that still remains to be seen. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how energy bills work, why price rises come into play, and give you some practical advice for reducing your home’s energy consumption through effective insulation. There are actions you can take right now, as well as some long-term investments that will help you in the quest for cheaper energy bills. 

UK energy bills today

In February 2023, the energy regulator Ofgem announced its update to the energy price cap for the period 1 April - 30 June 2023. During that time, the cap was set at an annual level of £3,280 for a dual-fuel household paying by direct debit based on typical consumption. This is a reduction of almost £1,000 from the previous level of £4,279, reflecting a fall in wholesale energy prices. The figure of £3,280 indicates how much consumers would pay on their energy suppliers’ basic tariff if the EPG were not in place. There will be further announcements about changes to the EPG later in the year. 

Four signs your home is not energy efficient

#1: You need the heating on all day and night or for extended periods

#2: The floors and/or walls are cold to the touch

#3: You’ve tried other ways of warming up the house, like heavy curtains, draught excluders, and chimney balloons, but they’ve been ineffective

#4: There’s damp and condensation inside your home

 

Thermomodernization, heat loss, renovation, ETICS

A fabric-first approach to energy efficiency

What is a fabric-first approach?

Taking a fabric-first approach means maximising the performance of your building envelope - the entire external construction of your home or commercial property. This means making sure things like the roof, walls, floors, doors, windows and foundations are as energy efficient as possible. This technique is commonly used in new-build constructions, but can also apply to existing buildings. 

So before investing in add-ons such as photovoltaic panels or installing more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, it’s worth considering the fabric of your property and how it could be made more energy efficient.

How will a fabric-first approach improve energy efficiency in my home or building? 

The closer to airtight a building is, the easier it is to keep warm - or cool. So by creating a well-sealed building envelope and using high-quality materials to insulate your walls, floors and roof, you can minimise the energy needed to heat or cool your property. 

Insulation - a fabric-first solution

Investing in good quality insulation can help keep your home warm and reduce energy consumption. But how? 

Insulation slows down heat loss through walls, loft spaces and the roof. That means hot air can’t escape easily during the winter, so your home heats faster and stays warm for longer. You’re also less likely to need fans or air conditioning in the summer, as external heat won't warm up your house. This means reduced energy consumption all year round and cheaper energy bills. 

It’s also worth noting that insulating your home can add value to your property. An Energy Performance Certificate rating of A or B could boost the value of your home by as much as 14%.1

An Energy Performance Certificate rating of A or B could boost the value of your home by as much as 14%.

Money Supermarket

How a high EPC rating increases property price

Where can I use insulation? 

Loft and roof insulation

As much as a quarter of your home’s heat2 could be lost through an uninsulated roof. Loft insulation typically comes in rolls or boards, making it relatively easy to install, and there are specific insulation products available for flat roofs and pitched roofs. 

Insulating your loft in a typical terraced house could save you £150 a year, rising to £380 a year for a detached property. That’s a payback time of less than two years on a terraced house and just one year on a detached home, making it more than worth the investment. 

Wall insulation

Walls can account for a third of heat lost from your home,3 so consider insulating them as much as possible. 

Both internal partition walls and separating walls can benefit from insulation, helping to keep individual rooms warm and cosy. However, external walls, whether cavity or solid, are the key to ensuring you have a well-insulated building. 

Most houses in the UK have either solid walls or cavity walls, and each requires a different insulation solution. Check which type of wall you have. This will often be in the survey conducted when you purchased the property, or will be set out on your Energy Performance Certificate.

Cavity wall insulation, in particular, can be a quick and cost-efficient way to improve energy efficiency. There are also options for insulating solid walls. Learn more about external wall insulation.

Floor and ceiling insulation

Ground floors are another source of heat loss in buildings - particularly suspended wooden floors in older houses - with potential for around ten per cent of heat4 to be lost.

Insulation slabs can be installed under suspended floors, as well as on top of concrete floors to help tackle this. If you have any floors above unheated spaces such as garages, you should consider insulating those, as heat will be lost there too.  

Ceiling insulation is generally used in apartment blocks and commercial buildings. Read more about ROCKWOOL’s floor and ceiling insulation.

Building assessments

Always commission a thorough building assessment before undertaking any work. This will help identify any issues that need to be dealt with first and ensure any measures you take are appropriate. And when you are engaging tradespeople, look out for those with the Government-endorsed Trustmark standard or working to an industry-recognised PAS standard.

Help and advice on energy bills

If you need further advice on your energy bills or help to cut your energy use, try these resources.

  • There will be some advice on your home’s Energy Performance Certificate. If you don’t have it, search for it online at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.
  • Simple Energy Advice - a UK government-backed site offering impartial advice
  • Home Energy Scotland - a government-backed source of impartial advice for people living in Scotland
  • Energy Saving Trust - an independent, trusted voice on energy efficiency
  • Citizen’s Advice - help and advice on dealing with your energy bills and energy supplier
  • Ofgem - the UK’s independent energy regulator also offers advice for consumers
  • Uswitch - an online and telephone comparison and switching service that helps you to compare prices on a range of products and services, including energy suppliers

Depending on your circumstances and where you live, you may be eligible for assistance to make your home more energy efficient. To find out, check these resources:

To estimate your current energy costs and get tailored advice on how to reduce your consumption, try the Energy Efficiency Calculator from Simple Energy Advice.

References

  1.  Money Supermarket - How a high EPC rating increases property price -  https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/value-of-efficiency/  
  2. Energy Saving Trust - https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/  
  3. The Green Age - https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/where-am-i-losing-heat-home/  
  4. The Green Age - https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/where-am-i-losing-heat-home/  

Article History

Our experts continually review and update our articles when legislation changes or new information becomes available. 

Current version: 3 - 1/08/23

Version 2 - 20/03/200222

First published: 14/09/2020

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