Top tips to increase energy efficiency as EPC ratings grow in importance

17th January 2024

With temperatures plummeting across the country and the nation having already faced seven storms since October 2023, homeowners should be concerned about energy efficiency.

In fact, more than 11 million homeowners across the UK would consider paying more for a property that has an EPC rating of C or above, according to research from MyGlazing.com*.

Four in five (80%) of those surveyed said this was the case, with homeowners saying they would pay 15% more, on average, for a property with a higher rating.

To help homeowners, MyGlazing.com has created a helpful first aid kit to help make the nation’s homes more energy efficient which can be downloaded and help save some money.

Top tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save on energy bills:

Make sure your home is well insulated: uninsulated homes lose more than a third of their heat through the external walls, but it’s not just the walls and loft which need to be insulated. Check that your hot water tank and any pipes are wrapped in insulation – cylinder jackets and foam pipe insulation are affordable solutions for those not wanting to invest too much on upgrades.
Keep out the draught: up to 24% of a home’s heat energy is lost through old, draughty windows. The ideal is that homeowners would upgrade windows to be double or triple glazed, although this is more of an investment. So, if upgrading windows is out of the picture, make sure you have fitted blinds and curtains to reduce the amount of heat energy lost! In fact, data from Hillarys reveals shutters help reduce heat loss through windows by 36%, while roman blinds with an interlining help reduce it by 21% and curtains with a blackout lining can help reduce heat loss by 14%.
Turn your thermostat down: according to the Energy Saving Trust, turning your thermostat down by just one degree can cut bills by about £145 a year, which is around 4-5%.
Switch your lightbulbs: LEDlightbulbs are more energy efficient than your average light bulb and they tend to last longer too. Make sure you swap your lightbulbs where you can and also make sure you turn your lights off when you leave a room. This could save around £25 a year on energy bills.
Avoid staying on standby: it sounds simple, but switch off appliances at the wall and remove the plug from the socket! It won’t necessarily increase your home’s EPC rating, but it will help to reduce the amount of energy your home is using which goes hand in hand with lowering energy bills!

Dave Palmer, technical officer at MyGlazing.com commented: “We’re continuing to see homeowners and tenants worrying about high energy prices and the prospect of costs increasing even further in 2024. Some energy efficient home improvements are relatively simple and cheap to put in place – such as replacing all lightbulbs with LED alternatives. Although, for those looking to increase their home’s EPC rating, it’s likely they’ll have to spend money to ultimately save money.

“For example, here in the UK, almost all windows are underperforming which means money spent on heat energy is quite literally getting thrown out of the window. So, upgrading windows and doors is one way homeowners can not only save hundreds on their energy bill each year, but can also help increase the property’s EPC rating and buyer appeal!”