How to be energy efficient at home

Where to get advice to become more energy efficient, how to get a free smart meter and help for private tenants and property owners to save energy.

The Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust gives free and impartial advice to help you become more energy efficient.

By being energy efficient you can:

  • use less energy
  • save money
  • still keep your home warm
  • produce less carbon dioxide, which helps slow down climate change

Ofgem Energy Aware Campaign and winter guidance  

Ofgem’s Energy Aware campaign aims to champion consumer rights and give positive, actionable advice.

Visit Ofgem’s website for the latest energy advice, support and information.

Keep your boiler efficient

Looking after your central heating and hot water boiler is an important way to save energy.

As a general rule:

  • boilers that get checked regularly are more efficient
  • boilers over 10 years old are normally only 50% to 65% efficient
  • new boilers are up to 95% more most efficient
  • wall mounted boilers are more efficient than floor mounted boilers

Find out how to improve boiler efficiency on the British Gas website.

Smart meters

Smart meters show how much gas and electricity your home is using and how much your energy bill will be each month. They're more accurate and easier to read than older energy meters.

If you don't have a smart meter, you can ask your energy supplier for a free upgrade.

Efficient home appliances

When you buy a new household appliance, like a fridge or dishwasher, look for the energy label on the appliance.

The label will show the energy rating of the appliance, from A to G.

A is the highest and most energy efficient rating. G is the lowest and least energy efficient rating.

If they're the same size, an A rated appliance will use less than half the energy of a G rated appliance.

You can find information about energy labels and how to choose energy efficient appliances on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Help to save energy for private tenants and property owners

If you own your property or get permission from your landlord, energy suppliers can help to make your home more energy efficient.

Rented properties need to comply with the national minimum energy efficiency standards.

Contact your energy supplier to find out what they can do to help.

Warmer Homes – Home Upgrade Grant

Warmer Homes programme funding is available for homes in Brighton & Hove not heated by mains gas to improve energy efficiency of households and reduce energy bills.

Funding up to a maximum if £38,000 is available under the programme for the following energy efficiency measures:

  • solid wall insulation (external or internal)
  • cavity wall insulation
  • underfloor insulation
  • loft insulation
  • high heat retention storage heaters
  • room in roof insulation
  • air source heat pumps
  • solar PV panels
  • heating controls

Who can get the funding

To be eligible for the programme, properties must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G, and residents must have an annual total household income of less than £31,000, or receive a means tested benefit.

The funding is available to owner occupiers and private tenants.

For private rented properties, landlords must provide consent and contribute 50% of the funding available. It is open to landlords who have a portfolio of 4 or fewer properties.

Shared ownership homes can receive measures, but are treated as private rental, so the scheme owner, would be responsible for the landlord contribution.

Details of the programme

For further details, visit the Warmer Homes website.

Applications are open until March 2025.

Brighton & Hove City Council is part of a consortium of 23 local authorities, led by Portsmouth City Council, successful in bidding for £41.4m of Home Upgrade Grant funding, provided by the Government Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.

The programme is being delivered by AgilityEco who are responsible for all customer and installer communications for the programme, approval of all quotes and keeping applicants informed of their progression through the programme.  

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The government provides grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps.

Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Energy Company Obligation

Under Energy Company Obligation (ECO), medium and larger energy suppliers pay to install energy efficient measures in British households.

Suppliers can provide:

  • wall insulation
  • loft insulation
  • boiler repairs or replacement
  • heating measures such as a smart thermostat

Who can apply for ECO funding

To apply for ECO funding you must own your property or get permission from your landlord to apply.

Please check the other criteria before you apply.

You can also use the Ofgem postcode checker to check if your address can get help from the ECO.

How to apply for ECO funding

To ask for ECO funding you can: