Building energy efficient homes from scratch has become an artform. You can choose eco-friendly materials, position windows where you like, and make the most of natural light and ventilation. But what if your home was built years ago? Is there anything you can do?
Thankfully, the answer’s yes. You won’t have a blank canvass but there’s still plenty of room to draw up some energy savings. So, let us put you in the picture with these 5 great ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
1. Create your own renewable energy
‘Renewable energy’ means energy from natural sources like the sun or wind. So, you could think about installing solar panels or an air source heat pump. This would reduce your dependence on the grid and help you create an energy efficient home.
Although there would be an up-front cost, solar panels have become more efficient. According to the Energy Saving Trust, they’ll lower your energy bills and start to pay back your investment.
Solar panels work best if they’re facing south, followed by west or east. And you might be able to sell spare energy back to the grid. You could even get a free quote through our partner, Octopus.
Air source heat pumps extract thermal heat from the outside air to heat your home and hot water. Remarkably, they can do this even when it feels cold outside. Find out how heat pumps work and how much one might cost you.
Of course, there are other ways to reduce your electric and gas bill too. For example, smart technologies can adjust the heat in different rooms to match your routine. And they can turn the heat down when you’re out. Very smart indeed.
2. Turn to low-energy lighting
Here’s a bright idea. Swap all your old halogen and incandescent lightbulbs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). They use up to 90% less energy.
LEDs also last 30 times longer than incandescent bulbs and 3 to 5 times longer than fluorescent energy-saving lights. So, you’ll save yourself trips to the hardware store too.
You can also create a more energy efficient home by installing smart lighting. This lets you control your lights remotely on your smart phone. You can even set timers, so your lights won’t get left on by accident.
Finally, you can use smart lighting to hook up your LEDs to motion sensors. They’ll come on when someone walks into the room. And then turn off when the room isn’t being used.
3. Save precious water
It’s easy to take water for granted when you’ve got it on tap. But it’s actually one of our most precious resources. That’s why it’s eco-friendly to use as little mains water as possible.
Buying a water butt is a great place to start. You can use rainwater to stop your garden from getting thirsty in summer. And it’s a lifesaver during hosepipe bans too.
You could even think about investing in a ‘rainwater harvesting’ system. This collects rainwater, filters it, and stores it underground. You could use this water to flush toilets.
Here are some other ideas to save water.
- Instal flow regulators or aerators to taps.
- Fit water-efficient shower heads.
- Use shower timers (so you know how long you’re in there).
- Buy a bath that holds less water.
You can read the Energy Saving Trust website to find more ways to save water. Oh, and don’t forget to get a water butt. No buts.
4. Buy energy-efficient appliances
It’s easy to focus on the price label when you’re buying a washing machine, oven or TV. But check out the energy label too. Running costs can be just as important as upfront costs over time. And they’re a key way to reduce your electric bill.
Energy labels tell you how much energy an appliance uses and compares it to similar products. They’re given a rating from A to G, with A being the best. How much could you save? It depends on the appliance and how much you use it. But try to buy the most efficient appliance for the size you need.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a 424-litre fridge freezer with an F rating only costs slightly more to run than a 265-litre fridge freezer with a G rating. Even though it’s a lot bigger.
Here are some other good ways to save energy.
- Run washing machines and dishwashers at lower temperatures.
- Only run appliances when they’re full (so you use them less).
- Turn them off rather than leaving them in standby mode.
You could also order a smart meter. This will show your live energy usage and help you to understand and manage it.
5. Improve your insulation
Doing this will boost your home’s ‘thermal performance’, reduce your emissions, and help you stay warm in winter. It will also help you stay comfortable during summer hot spells. Did you know that good insulation slows heat gain from the sun? Clever, eh.
The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2024 that installing 270mm loft insulation could cost you around £1000 depending on whether you have a terraced or detached home. The benefit is you could save around £300.
Look to insulate your walls, roof, floors, and doors as much as you can too. And block any drafts. Think about upgrading to double glazing, or even triple glazing, if you can afford it. Or try window films, shades, shutters, or energy-saving thermal blinds if you can’t. All these things can help make your home more energy efficient.
The value of having an energy-efficient home
These ideas are a great way to improve your EPC score. And the more you do, the more your score will increase. But there’s another reason to do them too: they could increase your home’s value.
Research shows that energy efficiency is becoming more and more important to home buyers. For example, Rightmove’s Greener Homes Report said moving a home from an F to a C rating could increase a property’s value by an average of 15%.
So, think carefully about what you could do. Improving your EPC comes with upfront costs. But you might get a good return on this investment in the future.
This content was accurate when published on 20/02/2026.
Want more ways to cut your running costs? Check out My Home Manager in our Mobile Banking app. You’ll find top tips alongside real time data about your energy use. And if you’re interested in borrowing money to create a more energy efficient home, look into home improvement loans on our website.