Looking for practical money saving tips that also make your home eco-friendly? Small lifestyle changes and smart home upgrades can significantly reduce energy consumption, lowering your monthly bills and help to protect the environment.
At SolarTherm UK we install solar panels across Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the wider South East and we regularly speak to homeowners who want simple, effective ways to reduce their energy use and save money. Below, we’ve compiled 15 tried and tested tips to make your home more energy efficient.
1. Turn Off Lights When You Leave the Room
An easy habit with instant benefits, switching off lights saves energy and reduces unnecessary electricity use, ideal for busy households looking to cut costs.
2. Swap to LED Lighting
LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last far longer. Switching your entire home to LED lighting is a quick and affordable eco-friendly upgrade.
3. Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
Older appliances, especially fridges, dryers and freezers, consume far more energy than modern A-rated models. When you need to replace an appliance upgrading to an energy efficient model can lower your electricity bill and improve overall efficiency of your home.
4. Unplug Devices to Avoid “Vampire Energy”
Electronics on standby still draw power. Unplug TVs, chargers and consoles when you’re not using them can save up to £80 a year.
5. Reduce Daily Water Usage
Take shorter showers, only boil the water you need and always turn taps off fully. Lower water use results in lower heating costs.
6. Lower Your Thermostat
Setting your thermostat to around 17°C can reduce heating bills by up to 3% for each degree lowered. Smart thermostats make this effortless.
7. Use Smart Automation
Smart devices help cut wasted energy by automatically switching off unused appliances. Homeowners in Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the surrounding South East are increasingly adopting smart thermostats, plugs and timers to increase savings and save energy.
8. Install Double Glazed Doors and Windows
Modern double or triple glazing improves insulation, reduces heat loss and lowers your carbon footprint.
9. Cook with Lids On
A simple but effective way to speed up cooking time and reduce energy use in the kitchen. By using lids on your pans, you can save money on your energy bills.
10. Track Your Usage with a Smart Meter
Smart meters track your energy usage in real time, allowing you to spot habits and appliances that cost you the most and adjust your energy consumption to off peak tariffs.
11. Wash Clothes at Lower Temperatures
Washing at 30°C saves electricity and protects clothes from wear and tear.
12. Consider Solar-Powered Devices
Garden lights, chargers, outdoor cameras and other solar powered gadgets are inexpensive and sustainable.
13. Seal Draughts and Air Leaks
Gaps around windows and doors force your heating system to work harder, costing you money. Proper sealing of any draughts can save homeowners up to £100 a year.
14. Improve Home Insulation
Insulating your loft, walls and hot water tank can cut heating costs by up to 30%. This is especially useful for older homes.
15. Book a Professional Home Energy Audit
An audit will help identify hidden energy losses and provide recommendations to improve the efficiency of your home.
And the Biggest Money Saving Upgrade You Can Make to Your Home – Solar Panels
Installing solar panels is the most popular and cost effective renewable energy solution for UK homes. Prices have dropped significantly, making solar a smart, eco-friendly investment that reduces reliance on the grid and protects you from rising energy prices.
SolarTherm UK installs high efficiency solar PV systems throughout Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the wider South East, helping homeowners switch to clean, renewable energy and save up to 70% on their energy bills.
How Individual Homes Make a Real Environmental Difference
Every eco-friendly improvement, from LED bulbs to solar panels, reduces greenhouse gas emissions. When thousands of households across the region cut their energy usage, the combined impact is huge: cleaner air, lower emissions and a healthier environment.
How to Improve the Energy Rating of Your Home
- Use less energy from the grid – energy assessments highlight areas where simple upgrades can reduce usage and improve your EPC rating.
- Upgrade to modern double glazing – new windows and doors, while expensive can significantly reduce energy waste, keeping your home warmer for less.
- Optimise your landscaping for efficiency – smart landscaping (like planting shade trees or wind-breaks) helps manage heating and cooling naturally.
- Install loft and wall insulation – a must for older properties, proper insulation provides some of the highest returns on investment.
- Add smart devices – smart plugs, power strips and sensors automatically cut unnecessary power use, boosting efficiency and home value.
Thinking About Going Solar?
If you’re searching for eco-friendly money saving tips, installing solar panels is one of the most impactful steps you can take. SolarTherm UK specialises in high quality solar installations across Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the wider South East.
Whether you want to cut energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint or future proof your home, our local team is here to help. Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored for your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
