5 Practical Ways to Save Energy in Your Home (and how HEART can help)
In the face of rising energy costs and increasing awareness of environmental impact, improving your home’s energy efficiency is more important than ever. The good news is: you don’t have to make drastic or expensive changes to save energy.
With some thoughtful tweaks and upgrades, you can reduce your bills, lower carbon emissions, and make your home more comfortable.
Below, you’ll find five actionable strategies, plus information on how HEART can support you to save energy further.
1. Switch to LED Lighting to save energy
Why it matters: Traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs convert most of their energy into heat rather than light, making them inefficient.
Save energy with LEDs that use up to 90% less electricity for the same amount of light and last much longer.
How to do it in practice:
- Save energy immediately by replacing the bulbs you use most often, i.e. living rooms, kitchen work areas, hallways.
- Choose LEDs with the right brightness (measured in lumens) and colour temperature (e.g. “warm white” for cosy spaces, “cool white” for task lighting).
- Check dimmer switch compatibility, as they can be more efficient if matched correctly.
Impact you’ll see: Less frequent bulb replacements, lower electricity usage for lighting, and a small but meaningful drop in your overall energy bill.
2. Seal Drafts Around Doors and Windows
Why it matters: Gaps and cracks can let cold air in (and warm air out), meaning your heating system has to work harder to maintain comfort. By sealing these “leaks,” you reduce energy waste.
How to do it in practice:
- Walk around your doors and windows on a windy day and feel for drafts. Also, inspect skirting boards and joinery.
- Use self-adhesive draught-proofing strips or weatherstripping along door and window frames.
- For larger gaps, use expanding foam or filler. For floor-level gaps under doors, consider door sweeps.
- Don’t forget secondary measures like sealing around pipe entries or letterboxes.
Impact you’ll see: Reduced heat loss, more stable indoor temperatures, and less demand on your heating system.
3. Use Smart Heating Controls
Why it matters: Traditionally, heating systems run on on/off schedules or thermostats that don’t adapt to behaviour. Smart controls let you heat your home when and where it’s needed, avoiding wasted energy.
How to do it in practice:
- Save energy by installing a smart thermostat or programmable heating system that can be scheduled and adjusted remotely.
- Use zoning—only heat the rooms you use most.
- Enable “learning” modes (if supported): the system observes your habits and shifts temperature accordingly.
- Pair with sensors (e.g. temperature sensors in rooms, open-window detection) for more precise control.
Impact you’ll see: Less heating when no one’s home, more efficient use of your boiler or heat pump, and lower bills without sacrificing comfort.
4. Upgrade Loft and Wall Insulation
Why it matters: Poor insulation is among the top causes of heat loss in homes. Even a well-sealed house can lose energy through poorly insulated ceilings, walls, or floors.
How to do it in practice:
- Loft insulation: If you have an attic or roof space, ensure the insulation is thick enough (check recommended depths for your region). Add more if needed.
- Wall insulation: Depending on your property, solid wall insulation (internal or external) or cavity wall insulation may be an option.
- Floor insulation: In homes with suspended floors or crawl spaces, insulating the underside of the floor can help.
- Always use insulation materials with good thermal performance (low U-value) and ensure proper installation (no gaps, compression or bridging).
Impact you’ll see: Lower heat loss through structure, more stable indoor temperatures, less strain on your heating system, and a notable reduction in your energy consumption over time.
5. Consider Low-Carbon Heating & Solar Panels
Why it matters: To transition away from fossil fuels, modern low-carbon systems such as air-source heat pumps or solar photovoltaics (PV) offer much greater efficiency and environmental benefits.
How to do it in practice:
- Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP): These extract heat from outside air and can replace traditional boilers; they work best when the home is well insulated.
- Solar PV panels: Roof-mounted solar panels generate electricity, which can offset your mains usage.
- Check for government- or local authority schemes that offer funding or subsidies for these systems.
- Conduct a feasibility study – for example, roof orientation, structural strength, and planning permissions.
Impact you’ll see: Significant reductions in fossil-fuel usage, potential to sell excess electricity back to the grid, and long-term savings—especially when paired with strong insulation and smart controls.
How HEART Can Support You
If you’re a homeowner or private tenant, HEART (Home Energy Assessment and Retrofit Team) offers a pathway to make many of these upgrades affordable, even free in some cases.
What HEART offers:
- A comprehensive energy assessment for eligible households
- Access to funding or subsidies for insulation, heating upgrades, solar installations, and more
- Support through the entire retrofit journey – from advice, design, and selection to installation and aftercare
- No obligation – just expert, honest guidance
HEART collaborates with local councils and vetted contractors to deliver improvements that are professionally done and tailored to your home.
Are You Eligible?
You may qualify for fully funded or subsidised improvements if your property meets certain criteria. It takes just a minute to check. Visit the Areas Covered page on the HEART website to see whether your home is eligible.
If you are eligible, book a home energy assessment. A HEART advisor will evaluate your property, suggest energy-saving interventions, and guide you through your options without pressure.
Final Thoughts
Small steps add up. Converting to LEDs, sealing drafts, using smarter controls, and boosting insulation already go a long way toward cutting energy use. But by working with HEART, you can access a holistic retrofit plan – one that integrates heating, insulation, and renewables – to transform your home into an efficient, comfortable, and greener space.
Let your next warmer, more efficient home begin here. If you’re a homeowner or landlord and want to explore eligibility and potential upgrades, get in touch with HEART at 0800 520 0280, email hello@savewithheart.org.uk.