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Seven expert tips for saving energy at home

Jan 23, 2026
Heating cat

Research by Barratt Homes has found that nine in 10 consumers are concerned about being able to afford their energy bill over winter. The housebuilder found that two-thirds of households are taking drastic measures to keep bills down, including only heating one room. 

Barratt Redrow’s Innovation Lead Oliver Novakovic - who is working with scientists at the Energy House 2.0, the UK’s biggest energy research project at the University of Salford - shares tips on how to save money, from immediate savings to bigger splurges. 

Researchers at Energy House 2.0 have spent the past 18 months testing heating systems to see which ones will heat consumers’ homes the best at the lowest cost, as well as researching how to create air-tight homes that are still breathable. 
 
 

1. Cut energy costs by turning down your boiler flow temperature 

 
Boiler heating flow refers to the temperature at which water leaves your boiler and flows into your radiators. Most boilers tend to have a default flow temperature of between 70°C and 80°C. 
 
The Energy House 2.0 team measured the impact of turning down the flow on your boiler and found that it was the single biggest way to cut energy costs – and with zero initial outlay. 
 
The scientists found that lowering boiler temperatures from 80 degrees to 60 degrees saved 12% of gas used to heat the house. Combi-boilers especially can warm up houses and keep them feeling toasty at just 60 degrees. 
 
A lower flow temperature means your radiators won’t be as hot to the touch and your rooms may take slightly longer to heat up. But, if your home is well insulated, you’re unlikely to notice much difference and could make a big saving on your energy bills.
 
On a combi boiler, look for a dial or set of buttons marked with a radiator symbol, which usually indicates the flow temperature. Turn down the dial or set a lower temperature. For tips, you can check your boiler’s instruction manual first. 
 

2. Give your boiler some TLC

 
The boiler is one of the most important appliances in the home, providing hot water and heating.
Due to daily dependence, it should be serviced at least once a year for safety and warranty. It’s usually better to do this during the summer months, as plumbing engineers are quieter and any issues can be fixed before the big freeze. 
 
However, if you are experiencing any issues with your boiler, or radiators are not heating up evenly across your home, then it is worth paying for a service. The average price of a combi-boiler service is around £90. 
 
This typically includes a full inspection of the internal components, filters, and flue pipe, as well as checking for any corrosion and leaks. 
 
During a service, the engineer will also carry out a host of checks to make sure that your boiler is working efficiently, as even a small efficiency drop of 5% can add an extra £87 to annual energy bills. If you’re not confident turning down the flow of your boiler, the plumber can do this too. 
 

3. Invest in loft insulation

 
Home insulation allows you to keep your house warm by preventing heat from escaping. For older UK homes, excess heat can be lost through the walls and roof, which can increase energy bills. 
 
Homes built before the 1920s will likely have solid walls with no insulation at all. New build homes, on the other hand, must comply with the most recent building regulations, and can be up to 65% more energy-efficient than an older home.
 
“The large number of poorly insulated, older homes across the country can cause stress for those living in them as we approach winter,” says Novakovic. 
 
ONS data illustrates that 60% of homes in England have a wall insulation rating of “average” or above, with this figure rising to 69% in Scotland and decreasing to 52% in Wales. 
 
It is best to use mineral wool insulation to insulate a loft, which can cost around £1,000 in a detached house. 
 
Despite the upfront costs, annual savings on energy bills could be around £340 a year for a detached home and £200 for a semi-detached, according to Which?.
 

4. Draught-proofing

 
A common misconception of draught-proofing is to block all air flow into a home, but instead, Novakovic says that it is about having controlled ventilation. Some air still needs to flow in and out of a house to help to reduce condensation and dampness, which can result in harmful mould growth, especially in moisture-rich rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
 
Novakovic says: “Try to locate draughty areas around your home so that you can fix them before the freezing temperatures set in. The gadget that will make a world of difference, when you’re trying to work out why your house is cold, is a smoke pencil draught detector. You can pick one of these up for less than £50 to easily find the places where air is leaking. 
 
“Many older homes with hardwood front doors will experience worse draughts in the winter as they are susceptible to expanding in heat and contracting in the cold, meaning gaps around the frame will become even wider.
 
“To combat this, invest in a draught exclusion runner to go along the bottom of your door. You can also purchase lengths of gap sealer to run around the frame, preventing cold air from blowing in around the door frame.”
 
The most common culprits include letterboxes, unused chimneys, doors and window frames, and the loft hatch. Weather stripping is available in various materials, such as foam, rubber, or metal, and can be easily applied to the window frame. 
 
“If you already have UPVC windows with draught excluders, it’s good to check these for wear and tear to ensure they are still working well,” Novakovic adds. 
 

5. Close the curtains

 
The research found that closing curtains or blinds can significantly reduce heat loss through windows, especially in older homes with single-glazed windows. In a full-scale test house, curtains and blinds reduced heat escaping through windows by around 10–30%, depending on how the room was heated and how well the coverings fitted. 
 
This works because curtains and blinds trap a layer of still air between the window and the room, acting like a simple extra layer of insulation. Importantly, this benefit was seen using ordinary household curtains and blinds, not specialist “thermal” products.
 
The study also showed that where radiators are placed matters a lot. Rooms with radiators directly under windows lost more heat, because warm air rose straight up the glass and escaped outside. In these cases, drawing curtains or blinds made the biggest difference by slowing that heat loss and improving comfort. 
 
As well as saving energy, curtains helped reduce cold draughts and condensation on windows. Because curtains and blinds are low-cost, easy to install, and reversible, the study highlights them as one of the simplest and cheapest ways for households to cut heat loss and stay warmer, particularly when replacing windows or adding insulation is not practical.
 

6. Pump up the heat 

 
For those with bigger wallets, the scientists at Energy House 2.0 have undertaken the largest research project ever carried out on electrical heating systems, as the country prepares to phase out gas boilers. 
 
The tests covered a range of technologies including Infrared heat panels, air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, skirting board heating and traditional radiators.
 
The research found that Air Source Heat Pumps can cost as little as £1.84 on a typical winter day to heat a home and are more efficient than current gas boilers, as they keep a more constant temperature, rather than spikes of heat. 
 

7. Insulate your pipes 

 
Frozen pipes can pose significant danger to your home over winter – and potentially a big bill from a plumber. When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands and could cause pipes to burst. 
 
The most effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to insulate the pipes in your loft and the water tank. 
 
Novakovic adds: “Insulating your pipes doesn’t have to be expensive and can be done as a DIY job. You can buy foam pipe insulation, which is inexpensive, though better-quality insulators will set you back more. Most pipe insulation comes as a foam tube which you can push onto your pipes. For more awkward bends, you can also use insulating wraps to cover these sections of pipe. 
 
“Make sure you know the measurements for your pipes and water tanks before you purchase any insulation and avoid using potentially flammable materials.”
 
All our Barratt new build homes are designed to be energy-efficient, featuring premium insulation throughout, double-glazed windows and smart technologies, helping you save money on your bills.
Call or visit our Sales Advisers to start your homebuying journey today. 
 

Methodology and sources:

Barratt Homes conducted a consumer survey of 2,000 participants to gather opinions and behaviours, and habits when it comes to energy-saving in the home.
 

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