Make your home more energy efficient
Ideas to help improve your home's energy efficiency.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is generated by utilising natural sources such as sun and wind power. Self-replenishment means this form of energy is produced with lower carbon, while it can also provide energy security and help you save money in the long term.
Solar Panels (PV) - technology fitted onto a south-facing roof to generate electricity. There is little maintenance once installed, and battery storage can further extend the amount of free electricity that you generate. You could also use solar water heating where the sun instead of fuel creates hot water in your home, which will save you money on sunny days.
Find out if solar is right for you via the Energy Saving Trust.
Heat Pumps - Heat pumps include air-source or ground-source. They work like a fridge but in reverse, moving heat rather than simply generating it. To work effectively your home needs to be well-insulated and have a hot water cylinder. This measure can limit high energy costs because they are extremely efficient.
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
The charity Nesta have launched the 'Visit a Heat Pump' service to help people learn about heat pumps in real-world settings. This is where residents who have installed a heat pump agree to showcase the technology in their homes.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy website has downloadable PDF leaflets on renewable and low-carbon energy measures where you can read further information.
Insulation
Ensuring your home is properly insulated is vital to keeping your bills down and maintaining a comfortable home. Effective loft, floor and wall insulation can also help your home stay cooler longer during hot weather. There are many ways in which you can reduce heat escaping your home. These options are explained in detail by the Energy Saving Trust.
Heating systems and control
Running an A-rated boiler with full heating controls versus using G-rated boiler could save you around £420 per year. You can find out more, including the types of heating systems and the most economical ways to use your heating here on this Energy Saving Trust webpage.
Smart technology
Smart meters – Automatic measuring of your gas and electricity use that is sent directly to your supplier. They can lead to more accurate billing and information to adjust energy patterns to lower costs.
Energy monitors – A display that informs the home occupier of their gas and electricity use so they can adapt habits to save energy, money and carbon.
Smart plugs – Similar in appearance to normal plugs, but they monitor the energy consumption of an appliance.
Read the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s advice leaflet on smart energy use.
Energy Saving Plan Builder online tool
Horsham residents can use the Energy Saving Plan Builder tool to estimate the cost of upgrading to a more comfortable and sustainable home. Simply put in your postcode, choose your address and your goal, and suitable energy-saving measures will be suggested for you along with average costs for the works.
Visit Energy Saving Plan Builder
Guidance for tenants
Your landlord must make sure that your home is ’fit for human habitation’, which means that it’s safe, healthy and free from things that could cause you or anyone else in your household serious harm. For example, if your house or flat is too cold and you can’t heat it, this can affect your health.
Most landlords make sure that the houses and flats they rent out are safe and secure, warm and dry. But some landlords do not, and this means that some tenants live in dangerous or unhealthy conditions. If rented houses and flats are not ‘fit for human habitation’, tenants can take their landlords to court. The court can make the landlord carry out repairs or put right health and safety problems. The court can also make the landlord pay compensation to the tenant.
The government has made a helpful guide for residents who rent privately or from a housing association.
Landlords
There is a legal obligation for landlords to meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations. This outlines that privately rented properties must have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E. Also, stayed tuned in for an uplift to EPC C minimum.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy have a guide for landlords to comply with these regulations. The government has also produced a helpful guide for landlords to guidance and advice to landlords of domestic rented properties about the minimum standards required to let domestic property. The guide includes criteria for what ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ means.
For more details on MEES and how to make your property more energy efficient visit the Energy Saving Trust.
Find energy grant schemes available to landlords in Horsham District
Park home residents
Park homes have unique energy challenges due to the way they are constructed. The Centre for Sustainable Energy has produced specific energy saving guidance.