How to make your home more energy-efficient.
What is an energy-efficient home?
Energy-efficient homes are designed and built to use less energy for heating, cooling, and other household needs, and as a result, they are cheaper to operate and better for the environment. In the UK, the government has set a goal for all homes to be "nearly zero energy" by 2025, meaning they should produce as much energy as they consume.
One way to achieve this is through the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and Air/ground source heat pumps. These can be used to generate electricity and heat for the home, reducing the amount of energy that needs to be purchased from the grid.
What is the government doing to help?
The United Kingdom has a number of initiatives in place to promote energy efficiency in homes. One of the key programs is the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO), which is a government-backed scheme that requires energy suppliers to help households make energy efficiency improvements. Under ECO, energy suppliers are required to install measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as boilers and heating systems, in eligible homes. The program is targeted at low-income households and those living in hard-to-treat properties and is intended to help reduce energy bills and improve the comfort of homes.
Another initiative in the UK is the Green Deal, which was a financing program that ran from 2013 to 2018. The Green Deal allowed homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties, such as installing double glazing or insulation and pay for the cost of the work through savings on their energy bills. The scheme was aimed at encouraging people to make energy efficiency improvements that they might not otherwise have been able to afford.
The government also provides funding and grants to help homeowners and landlords make energy-efficiency improvements to their properties. These include the Affordable Warmth Scheme, which provides funding for measures such as boiler replacement and insulation for low-income households, and the Energy Efficiency Fund, which provides grants for energy efficiency improvements for private landlords.
In addition, the government also has building regulations which set standards for energy efficiency in new builds and retrofitted homes, this includes the building regulations Part L which covers the conservation of fuel and power in homes and buildings, and the building regulations Part F which covers ventilation.
How can I make my home more energy efficient?
There are many programs and incentives offered by local government and private organizations to promote energy efficiency in homes. For example, the Green Homes Grant program offers vouchers to homeowners to cover the cost of certain energy-efficient home improvements. This would include free or discounted energy-efficient products, such as energy-efficient light bulbs and low-flow showerheads, as well as training and advice for homeowners on how to make their homes more energy-efficient. Homeowners can also make a home more energy efficient by being mindful of energy usage through habits like turning off lights and appliances when not in use.
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Conclusion
Overall, the UK government has implemented a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at making homes in the UK more energy efficient. These programs help reduce energy bills, improve comfort, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately support the UK to meet its climate change and energy efficiency targets.
Leo Xander
To help promote energy-efficient homes, Leo Xander is working with a Tier 1 partner of the UK's top 6 energy companies. Together, we are recruiting Retrofit Assessors nationwide in an effort to identify households eligible for upgrades under the ECO4 scheme. To find out more about this role click here .
Oliver Leach
Recruitment Consultant