Measures to reduce energy bills

The following pages provide information more significant measures to lower the energy bills and carbon footprint for your home or building.

Reducing heat loss
Solar panels
Wind power
Heat pumps (ground, water and air source)
Other forms of low-carbon heating

For each measure you will find information on its benefits, any possible negative effects, whether it needs planning permission and, if it does, the circumstances in which permission is likely to be forthcoming.

You are encouraged to consider the measures below when planning any refurbishment, alteration or extension to your home. Regardless of the type of alteration or extension you are planning, there are some basic standards you should consider:

The orientation of your home - this may influence where the most appropriate location for an alteration/extension would be
The size and design of your proposal – a larger extension may not always be the best solution, so consider your internal and external space requirements and the climate impact, such as maintenance costs (heating), use of materials and their embodied carbon, and the resulting quality of the remaining external/garden space
The quality of materials – this contributes to the overall efficiency and long-term cost savings, particularly important for insulation and new windows/doors
The installation of insulation and inclusion of renewable energy measures such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, and heat pumps – these can improve the comfort of your home, reduce your carbon footprint and overall bill costs
The incorporation of green infrastructure (such as green roofs) – this provides additional insulation, but also to improve biodiversity, overall visual appearance and your wellbeing.

For further advice on how to retrofit your home or business and to find out what low carbon heating or renewable energy technologies might work for you, visit the Simple Energy Advice website and check out EcoFurb's Plan Builder.

Building Regulations and energy performance standards

Some important regulatory issues to consider when planning a renovation or building project:

Building Regulations minimum energy efficiency standards may apply for major works such as extensions or replacement roofs – these are set out in Part L (2021) of the Building Regulations.
There are also minimum energy performance standards to be met if the building is to be rented out. This is currently EPC Band E, but is expected to be further tightened in future years, up to EPC band C.
At some point after 2030, it is expected that the sale of new gas boilers will be phased out as part of the move towards net zero. In most cases, it is likely that boilers will be replaced with heat pumps. As heat pumps work best in more energy efficient homes, it makes sense to include thermal insulation as part of any refurbishment project, even if you are not planning to replace the heating system now. You should aim to increase the energy performance of your home to a minimum rating of EPC band C.

Historic Buildings

Older, traditionally constructed buildings may need a different approach to retrofit. Some of the measures identified below may have unintended consequences, such as hindering the management of moisture in the building fabric. In these cases, it is important to take a ‘whole building’ approach to planning your retrofit, and it is recommended that you seek expert advice, such as from a heritage consultant or a council Conservation Officer. Historic England have a range of guidance on retrofit and energy efficiency in historic buildings.

Funding works

Retrofit measures should eventually pay for themselves through energy bill savings, but many can be expensive and disruptive to install. However, if you are already planning building repairs, renovation or extension, you can include energy efficiency measures for lower additional cost and disruption than if installed as a standalone project. They will also then pay for themselves more quickly through savings on future energy bills. Furthermore, it may save greater disruption in the future as changes become necessary to the way we heat our homes (see next section on performance standards).

You may be eligible for funding for some measures.

Please check the following sites:

The energy grants page on www.gov.uk - this provides information on funding which may be available to eligible homeowners, tenants and residential landlords, towards the cost of installing energy efficiency improvements and low carbon technologies.
Smart Export Guarantee – you may be eligible for payments for any renewable electricity that you generate that is put into the grid.