Smart Tips to Stay Eco and Help Cut Costs in Your Home

Struggling to stick to that New Year’s resolution to try and keep down your bills for 2025?

With growing costs of living and climate change rarely out of the news, it comes as no surprise that people are increasingly looking for eco-friendly tips and tricks to adjust their habits and cut costs in their homes.

In a 2023 survey of 2000+ UK renters, 72% agreed it was important that their building is managed in an environmentally friendly way! Letting agents and landlords are understandably being urged to take this information on board if they want to make their properties as attractive as possible to those looking to rent, but where should landlords start and how can they make their properties better for the environment?

 

Before we dive into a more comprehensive guide, here are 10 quick energy saving tips you may have never thought of!

• Fix all dripping taps and pipes
• Adjust or programme your thermostat
• Bleed your radiators
• Don’t overfill the kettle
• Defrost your freezer
• Make sure to fully fill your dishwasher before it goes on
• Avoid using the tumble dryer (if you can!)
• Keep your showers short
• Close all curtains and blinds when the sun goes down to help stop heat escaping
• Use a lower washing machine heat cycle (using a 30-degree cycle where possible instead of higher temperatures)

Your Guide to Improving Energy Efficiency and Becoming More Eco-Friendly in Your Home

🌍 Check your Environmental Performance Certificate (EPC)

• Visit GOV UK’s EPC register to find your property’s rating
• These certificates are valid for 10 years, so if your certificate has expired then arrange to have another completed
• The report will provide recommendations for improvements to your home

🌍 Improve Insulation

• Good insulation keeps properties warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling
• In January, the government had to take swift action after routine inspections revealed widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation, leading to the suspension of 39 businesses from installing new insulation in homes.

GOV UK outline that it is possible your home has been affected if you had internal or external wall insulation fitted through either:

• Great British Insulation Schemes (GBIS) or
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) (since April 2022)

If you have had work completed through either of these schemes then you should receive a letter from Ofgem outlining the next steps. If you are a tenant of a rented property and you receive a letter, please immediately let your landlord know.

Extra tips and tricks to help you insulate against heat loss:

• Fix any cracks in floors and walls to prevent heat loss
• Ensure double glazing is up to standard, or have it installed if not already in place
• Properly insulate any loft spaces and cavity walls to enhance heat retention
  • Placing rugs on wooden floors
  • Using draft excluders on doors

🌍 Water Conservation

• An easy way to prevent water waste – and cut down on water bills – is by fixing any dripping taps or leaking pipes
• Additionally, installing a low-flow showerhead is a simple yet effective way to reduce water usage without compromising comfort.

🌍 Heating Efficiency

• Ensure your boiler is serviced regularly – a well-maintained boiler operates more efficiently and reduces the likelihood of costly breakdowns, especially during winter
• Install a smart meter – these help regulate heating and ensure energy is used only when needed. Smart thermostats allow tenants to control heating remotely, making it easier to save energy
• Make sure to turn down radiators in rooms you use less often

🌍 Energy-Efficient Lighting

• Make sure all your lights have energy-efficient bulbs installed – despite being available for years, you would be amazed at how many properties still rely on outdated lighting
• Switching to LED bulbs, which last longer and consume far less energy, will lead to lower electricity bills

🌍 Energy-Efficient Appliances

• Always opt for A-rated energy-efficient appliance models – they may cost slightly more upfront but they serve as a strong selling point for tenants and contribute to long-term energy savings
• You can also check how much your appliances are costing you on average and find out different ways to save the amount of electricity your appliances use

Final Thoughts

We hope you find this checklist helpful in making your rental property more eco-friendly, efficient and cut costs.

If you would like more help on this, we would recommend a property inspection with Eclipse Inventories that can highlight any issues that might be present.