A third of homeowners say energy efficiency too expensive – here are 5 cheap and easy ways to keep your house warm this winter
The majority of homeowners (57%) experience barriers to carrying out energy efficiency improvements, according to our 2024 HomeOwner Annual Survey research. More than a third (36%) of homeowners have not undertaken work to improve the energy efficiency of their homes because of the cost of improvements, one in five (19%) say the lack of grants and incentives is a barrier and a similar proportion are not convinced the up-front cost will pay for itself in energy savings (18%).
Some homeowners say a lack of trusted tradespeople (11%), a lack of skilled trades (8%) and previous insulation scandals (6%) have also stopped them from carrying out energy efficiencies.
Energy efficient improvements that have been adopted are usually the simpler and less expensive options such as loft insulation (51%).
Commenting on the findings, Paula Higgins said
“With winter on the way, the energy price cap set to rise again by 10% this October, and millions of pensioners set to lose winter fuel payments this year, homeowners are looking at what they can do to keep their homes warm. But the truth is, the improvements the government want us to do cost too much money. making a home more energy efficient costs too much, especially for improvements that will make the most difference.
For example, replacing an old gas boiler with a more environmentally friendly air source heat pump costs in the region of a staggering £14k to install. Even with the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme of £7.5k homeowners would still have to fork out in the region of £6.5k for a heat pump. Compared to the cost of a new gas boiler from just £2k, it’s clear to see why cash-strapped Brits aren’t incentivised to go green.
So instead, we’ve pulled together the top 15 affordable ways to keep your home warm this winter. The list includes:
- Draught-proofing your windows and doors
Living in a draughty home means the warm air you’ve paid to heat can escape and cold air can get in. So check around your doors and windows and if you feel cold air seeping in, then fit self-adhesive draught-proofing tape to windows and around gaps in edges of doors. You can get 10m of this tape from Wickes for just £7. While adding thick thermal curtains, available at Dunelm from just £15, will keep rooms even warmer.
- Insulate your pipes and hot water tank
Hot water cylinder jackets cost around £20 to buy but could save the average semi-detached household £165 a year on energy bills if fitted on an uninsulated water tank. Even if you do have insulation, check it’s enough. Topping up hot water tank insulation from 25mm to 80mm could save around £35 a year on bills. Be sure to insulate your hot water pipes too. Foam pipe jackets cost around £18, are easy to fit and you could save around £5 a year on bills.
- Reduce your boiler flow temperature
Can you save on bills by turning down your boiler’s flow temperature? This is the temperature of the water it sends to your radiators. If you have a combi boiler you could try reducing the flow temperature to 60C and save on your gas bills.
- Maximise your radiators
If your radiators have cold spots, it could mean they need bleeding in order for them to work more efficiently. Also, you can make the most of the heat your radiators pump out by installing radiator reflector panels behind radiators on external walls. These reflect heat back into the room. In fact, installing reflective radiator panels in a house with uninsulated solid walls could save you up to £20 a year on bills. You can buy a roll of radiator heat reflector foil from around £7 from DIY stores.
- Insulate your loft
A quarter of a house’s heat is typically lost through the roof if it’s uninsulated. So insulating your loft can be a very effective way to cut your energy bills. While the average cost of installing loft insulation in a semi detached house is £950, you may be able to get it for free under the Great British Insulation Scheme or save on installation costs if you’ve got the DIY skills to install it yourself. Loft insulation can save an average £200 a year on energy bills.
*energy savings from Energy Savings Trust website
Methodology – 2024 Homeowner Survey
- This is the 8th Homeowner Survey, a state of the nation report on the issues affecting homeowners and those aspiring to own.
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Opinium. The survey was carried out online and figures are weighted and representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). Total sample size was 2000 adults of which 1326 were Homeowners and 531 Renters. Fieldwork 19-22nd January, 2024.
- Calculation method: There are 24.8 million households in England & Wales, 62.5% of these, 15.5 million, are owner occupied 2021 Census. In Scotland, as at 31st March 2020, there are 2.6 million dwellings, 58% or 1.5 million are owner occupied Scottish Household Survey and in Northern Ireland there are 814.2K homes and 70% are owner occupied, 570K, Northern Ireland Housing statistics 2020-21. Therefore, the number of total UK homeowners is 15.5m + 1.5m + 570K = 17.6m. 57% of UK homeowners (17.6m) = 10million.
* Figures from Energy Saving Trust
