Energy Advice for the Home - Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet
Help with energy bills
The quickest way to make energy savings is to make sure you are on the best tariff. Ofgem have a helpful guide to making sure you get the best deal.
The government provides means tested benefits to support homes with the cost of energy bills. Find out more about:
Let your energy company know if you are struggling to pay the bills as they may be able to provide support or solutions.
For more help with energy bills, ring the Nest Helpline to speak to an adviser.
Call freephone 0808 808 2244 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) or request a call back. There is more information on their website.
Help with energy home improvements
Investing in home energy improvements can help you reduce your energy bills.
Old heating systems can be upgraded to reduce the energy needed to heat your home and water. These can be replaced with lower carbon alternatives like an air source heat pumps or more efficient gas boilers.
Insulation and draught proofing can help keep warm air in the home whereas ventilation can help with moisture management and prevent mould.
Solar panels can create free green electricity to power your home while it is sunny, and a battery can store excess electricity to use at night.
There are a range of grants and schemes available to contribute to the cost of installing energy improvement measures.
Great British Insulation Scheme – Insulation can reduce the cost of heating and cooling by keeping warm air in the home. Energy suppliers are funding insulation improvements in properties that are privately owned or rented, have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G and are in a council tax band A-E.
ECO4 Flex scheme – Energy suppliers are funding heating system and other energy efficiency improvements like solar panels and insulation in hard to heat homes. This is targeting non gas properties and homes with old inefficient boiler.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme - grants of £7500 available for the cost and installation of air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. This is an installer led scheme, so installers will apply for the grant behalf of a household.
Newport City Council Safe, Warm and Secure loan - Housing improvement loans are available to landlords and private homeowners whose properties need repair or modernisation.
The loan can be used to make owner-occupied homes safe, warm, and secure or to bring empty properties back into use, for example, new heating system, replacement doors/ windows, roof repairs, damp proofing or electrical re-wiring.
Leasing Scheme Wales - Opportunity for landlords to lease their property to the council for a guaranteed monthly income and full property management service.
Grants are available to increase standards, including increase the EPC of a property.
Find out your home's energy performance certificate rating here.
Top tips
Top tips for keeping your home warm:
- Drawer curtains in the evening over windows and external doors to help reduce heat loss
- Open curtains in the morning to increase solar gains into the home
- Close doors in between rooms
- Make sure radiators are not blocked in by any furniture to allow the heat to circulate around the room
- Bleed radiators to make sure they are working as efficiently as possible
Top tips for saving energy in the home:
- Replace older fluorescent bulbs with LED alternatives
- Only fill the kettle with what you need
- Do not leave electrical appliances on standby, turn them off at the plug
- If it’s not dirty, wash at 30O
- Use lids on saucepans when boiling food to heat your food up faster.
Find out how to reduce water use in your home from Welsh Water. Claim free items to help improve water efficiency.
Find lots more hints and tips on the energy saving trust website.