- Energy Saving Tips
Energy Saving Tips
Energy advice workshops
The Council works closely with Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) to provide FREE workshops for residents throughout the year. Details of the next available events are below.
Summer Retrofit Webinar Series - online webinar series
Session 1: Understanding Retrofit & Fabric First Approach
Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026
Time: 18:30 -20:00
Learn about the fundamentals of retrofit, covering why it matters, current drivers and the principles behind the ‘Fabric First’ methodology. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how the fabric performance relates to comfort, energy consumption and costs.
Session 2: Insulation, Glazing and Ventilation
Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
Time: 18:30-20:00
Discover best practices to insulating walls, roofs and floors for improved thermal comfort. We will discuss materials, best approaches, common challenges and how to avoid unintended consequences. This session will also explore glazing, ventilation and the importance of balancing energy efficiency with indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Session 3: Low Carbon and Renewable Technologies Explained
Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026
Time: 18:30-20:00
To complement the fabric first approach, this session will cover heating and renewable energy including heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and other solutions that complement the fabric first approach. Experts will share guidance on compatibility, advancements in technologies, installation, maintenance and more.
To register for your free space please visit NEP's webpages via the following link: Understanding Retrofit & Fabric First Webinar - Summer Retrofit Series — Home Energy Advice Team (opens in a new window)
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 NEP for more information and advice via:
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).
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.
Warm Homes Local Grant
Through the Government’s Warm Homes Local Grant (opens new window) we’re helping to improve the energy efficiency of Broxtowe homes, with some fantastic early feedback from tenants!
If your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Rating of D or below, your property could be eligible. If selected, you’ll receive a letter from our local contractor, Westville, to arrange an initial survey appointment. Work will then be scheduled at times convenient for you, to fit solar panels, improve loft insulation if needed and upgrade ventilation. All that’s left to do is start feeling the benefits immediately!
Still not sure? See what some tenants have been saying:
“Our Smart Meter was registering £5 per day on electricity, it’s now halved. We’ve also noticed the house is warmer since the loft insulation was installed. Very happy!”
"We use multiple appliances, our average daily electricity cost was £6-£7, this has now reduced to £1.40 per day. Delighted!”
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
This government-backed scheme provides grants up to £7,500 to help property owners replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps. For more information and to check your eligibility visit Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK (Opens new window).
Additional information
You can find additional energy support, grants, energy performance certificates (EPCs), energy saving and renewable energy for your home via Household energy - GOV.UK (Opens new window)
We have listed some key hints and tips below.
Keeping warm
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Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can save you as much as £80 per year.
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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.
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Close off any unused rooms.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Only fill your kettle up with the water that you need.
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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.
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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.
Laundry
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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.
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Hang up your laundry. Air-dry your laundry rather than tumble-drying it, particularly if the weather is warm or windy.
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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
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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.
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Use LED lightbulbs.
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Don't leave anything plugged in that isn't being used and that includes your mobile phone charger.
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Turn the lights off when you leave a room.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Nottinghamshire Energy Partnership https://www.nottenergy.com/ (opens a new window)
- Green Doctors https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/ (opens a new window)
- Age UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/notts/ (opens a new window)
- Midlands Net Zero Hub 'Your renewable energy guide' https://www.midlandsnetzerohub.co.uk/knowledge-hub/renewable-energy-guide/ (opens a new window)