A guide to efficient home heating
By making our homes more energy efficient we can retain the heat inside, at the same time as saving money on our energy bills. Not only is a warm and comfortable home good for our health and wellbeing, it’s good for the environment too.
With energy prices rising, many of us are looking for ways to take action to reduce our fuel bills, which in turn can help to lower our carbon dioxide emissions.
By making our homes more energy efficient we can retain the heat inside, at the same time as saving money on our energy bills. Not only is a warm and comfortable home good for our health and wellbeing, it’s good for the environment too.
Net zero means the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we put into the atmosphere and the amount we’re able to take out will add up to zero.
Cost-efficient ways to heat your home
One of the most effective ways to go greener and save money on your bills is to improve the efficiency of your heating system. You can do this by upgrading to a low or zero emissions heating system or by better insulating your home. Find out more about insulation and how this keeps your home warm here. You may also be able to get funding to help with the cost of installing energy efficient and zero emissions heating measures from Home Energy Scotland.
Use Home Energy Scotland’s Funding Finder to find grants and loans to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Home Energy Scotland, from the Scottish Government, provides free and impartial advice and will check what help you're eligible for, such as fully-funded schemes or interest-free loans with cashback to cover the cost of installing energy efficient and zero emissions heating measures. Call them free on 0808 808 2282 to find out more.
Find out how you can lower your bills and have a warmer home with a personalised Home Energy Check.
Efficient home heating
There are also lots of changes you can make around your home quickly and easily, to help you save money and energy.
Turn down by one degree
Turning your heating thermostat down by just one degree will help to reduce the amount of energy you use. You probably won’t feel the difference, but you could save around £60 a year.
Switch appliances off standby
Standby is the energy used by some appliances when we’re not using them but they’re not switched off at the plug. As these appliances are often left on for 24 hours a day, they can end up consuming a great deal of electricity. There are a number of products that can help with this, such as standby savers that allow you to turn off all your appliances in one go.
Change your shower head
Replacing an inefficient shower head with a water-efficient one reduces the amount of water you use, which helps you to save money on your gas bills and your water bills. Taking a shorter shower can cut down costs too. Try sticking to four minutes or less.
Block up gaps
Draught-proofing is one of the most cost-efficient ways to help heat your home. It means blocking up unwanted gaps that warm air is escaping through. Keeping the warm air inside means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, so you’ll save money as well as feeling comfortable and snug.
Smart heating controls
If you can, invest in smart heating controls. They work by learning your habits and adjusting your heating system to minimise energy use. If you want to know more visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/thermostats-and-heating-controls/
For information on funding and support to make your home more energy efficient visit netzeronation.scot/take-action/home-energy/grants-and-funding-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient
Take action starting now
To achieve net zero by 2045, we must take action now. Start here to find ways that you can make changes in your life at home and on the go.
