Energy Saving Tips

Advice on how you can save energy.

Current Funding Available

Residents across the Borough and the rest of Nottinghamshire have access to funding opportunities that may offer help with home energy efficiency, supporting to reduce energy bills and making homes warmer.  Options currently available now are listed below.  

Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG 2)

What is a Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)? 

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is a government funded programme for low-income households, providing energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating via local authority funding.  

The aim is to raise the energy efficiency of hard-to-heat homes, delivering a package of fully funded energy-saving upgrades covering free home insulation and/or free low-carbon heating measures.  

These measures make your home more comfortable and cheaper to heat, helping to lower your carbon emissions whilst reducing your heating bills in the long term. 

What energy-saving upgrades could I receive? 

The energy-saving upgrades available (often referred to as ‘measures’) range from Loft Insulation, Solid Wall Insulation, External Wall Insulation, Solar PV Panels and Air Source Heat Pumps. Please be aware that the measures vary in availability and will depend on what is suitable for your property. 

Am I Eligible? 

You may be eligible if you: 

  • Have an annual household income below £36,000 (gross) or are in receipt of certain benefits 
  • Do not use gas as your main source of heating 
  • Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G.  If you don't have an EPC, you will receive a free assessment to determine your eligibility.  

Please note that only households who meet the scheme criteria will be eligible for a grant, and you may be asked for proof of income to ensure eligibility criteria is met. The energy-saving upgrades offered depend on availability. 

How do I apply? 

Contact Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) who are processing applications. You can apply online  here (opens new window) or call them on 0115 947 2207 to register your interest. 

Who are Nottingham Energy Partnership? 

Nottingham Energy Partnership are a climate change and fuel poverty charity working with residents, local authorities and contractors to deliver a range of energy saving advice and funding to homes throughout Nottinghamshire.

You can contact them via the following details: 

Telephone: 0115 985 9057 Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:30; Fridays 09:00 - 16:30

Online form: Improve your Home Today - Nottingham Energy Partnership (Opens new window).

 For more information click here.  (Opens new window). 

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme (to continue until 31 March 2026)

This is government energy efficiency scheme aiming to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by improving energy efficiency of homes occupied by low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households.  Further details are available via the dedicated webpage here https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-you/community-living/warm-homes/energy-company-obligation-eco/ (opens new window).

 

Keeping warmHands changing a thermostatHands changing a thermostat

  • Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can save you as much as £80 per year.

  • Layer up. Wearing more jumpers, socks and slippers around the house and putting an extra blanket on the bed means you won't be tempted to turn the heating up.

  • Close off any unused rooms.

  • Bleed your radiators to make sure that they are working are efficiently as possible and if your radiators sit on an outside wall, make sure that it fit some radiator foil behind them to reflect heat back into the room.

In the kitchen

  • Take it slow. To save energy try using a slow cooker to cook throughout the day - they only use about as much energy as a light bulb.

  • When you're boiling food in a pan, make sure you only use the amount of water needed to cover the amount of food you're cooking - boiling water you don't need can waste a lot of energy.

  • Only fill your kettle up with the water that you need.

  • Use glass or ceramic dishes in the oven wherever possible. They retain heat better than their metal counterparts, making them the most energy-efficient option.

  • Use the right size pan. Always use a pan which is the right size for the amount of food you are cooking. This means you won't waste energy while heating a bigger surface area than you need.

LaundrySocks drying outside on the washing line

Socks drying outside on the washing line

  • Ninety per cent of a washing machine's energy expenditure is spent heating the water, so if you wash your clothes at 30°C you can save a third on your washing bills.

  • Hang up your laundry. Air-dry your laundry rather than tumble-drying it, particularly if the weather is warm or windy.

  • Save yourself ironing time. Take your clothes out of the dryer before they're completely dry. They'll iron much quicker and you'll use less energy on your drier.

Save gas and electricity

  • Install a smart meter. By clearly indicating where you're spending the most on your energy, you can take steps to cut down usage wherever possible and save money.

  • Use LED lightbulbs.

  • Don't leave anything plugged in that isn't being used and that includes your mobile phone charger.

  • Turn the lights off when you leave a room.

  • Put exterior or security lights on timers. Make sure any exterior lights are on a timer or activated by motion so they only come on when needed.

  • Take a 4-minute shower. Taking a 4 minute shower opposed to a 10 minute one (depending on the power of your shower) will save you between £94 - £131 per person per year (based on the current price of 34p kWh).

Insulation and home improvements

  • Insulate the loft. A quarter of your home's heat is lost through the roof as warm air rises, and older properties that already have insulation in place may not have the recommended levels, particularly if it was installed in the 1970s or 1980s.

  • Insulate the walls. Whether you have cavity walls or solid walls, both can be insulated (or re-insulated) to encourage heat retention. You can also insulate gaps between the floor and skirting boards.

  • Insulate hot water pipes. Uninsulated water pipes mean it takes longer for hot water to become hot while it's running. Insulating the pipes will help prevent water wastage.

  • Consider solar panels. Having solar panels installed on your house could save you as much as a third on your electricity bills.

Get discounts and earn prizes for being energy efficient

Did you know you can earn points for energy efficient actions like taking a 4-minute shower, or washing your clothes at 30oCby using our Green Rewards?

Find out more about Green Rewards.

Struggling to pay your energy bills?

Visit our cost of living page for advice and support.

Further support

Residents can contact any of the following services in the area to seek additional support.

  1. Nottinghamshire Energy Partnership https://www.nottenergy.com/ (opens a new window)
  2. Green Doctors https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/ (opens a new window)
  3. Age UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/notts/   (opens a new window)
  4. Midlands Net Zero Hub 'Your renewable energy guide' https://www.midlandsnetzerohub.co.uk/knowledge-hub/renewable-energy-guide/ (opens a new window)

 

 

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