We’re all looking for ways to make our homes more energy efficient: to reduce bills, stay warm and comfortable, and limit our impact on the environment. For older homeowners particularly, energy efficiency improvements can also make a home easier to heat, cheaper to run, and more comfortable to live in all year round, particularly during colder months.
There is no shortage of advice available, but not all tips deliver meaningful savings. This guide focuses on measures that make a genuine difference, from simple low-cost changes to larger long-term investments.
While some improvements require upfront spending, many pay for themselves over time through reduced energy bills. This updated guide reflects current UK government schemes, modern technology and common misconceptions around home energy efficiency, with a focus on practical, low-stress improvements.
Energy Saving Tips for Older Homeowners
1. Upgrade to a more efficient boiler or heating system
A reliable, efficient heating system is particularly important as we get older, helping maintain a safe and comfortable indoor temperature.
Heating accounts for a large proportion of household energy use. Traditional gas boilers are rated on an efficiency scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). If your boiler is old or rated poorly, upgrading can significantly reduce energy consumption and running costs.
Homeowners can consider alternatives to gas boilers, such as air source or ground source heat pumps. These systems use renewable heat and, while they require electricity to run, they are far more efficient overall.
Government support is available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which can contribute up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing a heat pump, making low-carbon heating more accessible than in previous years.
2. Install double or triple glazing
Windows are a major source of heat loss. Double glazing significantly reduces heat escaping from your home, helping rooms stay warmer for longer and lowering heating demand.
When choosing installers, look for recognised certification and warranties. Poor installation can undermine the energy benefits and lead to draughts or condensation issues.
For properties where replacing windows is not practical, secondary glazing can still offer worthwhile improvements.
3. Use thick curtains and thermal blinds
Heavy curtains or thermal blinds help insulate windows, especially in older properties. Closing them in the evening reduces heat loss and improves comfort. This is a low-cost and effective way to improve energy efficiency immediately.
4. Improve loft insulation
Poorly insulated lofts allow warm air to escape, increasing heating costs. Adequate loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy improvements you can make.
Typical savings can be around £200 per year, and installation costs are relatively low. Many grants and schemes continue to support insulation upgrades, particularly for low-income households.
Ensure insulation is installed correctly and does not block ventilation, as this can lead to damp or condensation problems.
5. Consider wall insulation
Cavity wall and solid wall insulation can significantly reduce heat loss, but quality of installation is crucial. Poorly fitted wall insulation has caused problems in some homes, including damp and mould.
Always use reputable, certified installers and check warranties carefully. A professional assessment should confirm that your property is suitable before any work begins.
6. Install a water-efficient shower head
Showers are generally more efficient than baths, but water usage still varies widely. Eco shower heads reduce water flow while maintaining pressure, cutting both water and energy use.
These are inexpensive upgrades that can quickly reduce hot water consumption without affecting comfort.
7. Fit simple or ‘smart’ heating controls
Heating controls can make a big difference to comfort and running costs, especially if mobility or memory issues make manual adjustments harder.
Smart thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves allow precise control of your heating system. They adjust temperatures automatically based on schedules, occupancy and even weather conditions.
By avoiding unnecessary heating, smart controls can significantly reduce energy waste and improve comfort throughout the home.
8. Find and fix draughts
Draughts can make rooms feel cold even when the heating is on, which can be uncomfortable and increase heating costs.
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest ways to save energy. Even small gaps can allow large amounts of heat to escape.
Common problem areas include:
- Windows and doors
- Letterboxes and keyholes
- Gaps around floorboards
- Loft hatches
- Unused chimneys and fireplaces
Use appropriate draught excluders, seals or brushes. Do not block vents that are needed for ventilation, such as extractor fans or air bricks.
9. Switch to energy-efficient lighting
Replacing old bulbs with LED lighting can reduce lighting energy use by up to 90%. LEDs last much longer than traditional bulbs and provide immediate savings.
This is one of the simplest upgrades with the fastest return on investment.
10. Use appliances more efficiently
Small habits can add up over time:
- Only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle
- Avoid leaving appliances on standby
- Use energy-efficient appliances when replacing old models
So-called ‘vampire power’ means devices can still consume electricity when switched off but plugged in. Using switched extension leads can help reduce this waste.
11. Invest in solar panels and battery storage
Solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity from daylight and can supply a significant portion of a household’s energy needs. Even on cloudy days, panels continue to produce electricity.
Battery storage allows you to store excess electricity generated during the day and use it later, increasing the value of your solar system and reducing reliance on the grid.
Although installation costs remain high, solar panels can deliver long-term savings and reduce exposure to rising energy prices.
12. Ground source heat pumps
These systems are usually best suited to homeowners planning to stay in their property long term.
Ground source heat pumps extract renewable heat from the ground using buried pipes. They are highly efficient and suitable for homes with sufficient outdoor space.
Installation costs are higher than most upgrades, typically ranging from £10,000 to £20,000, but running costs can be low when paired with good insulation and underfloor heating. Government incentives may be available to help offset installation costs.
Home energy efficiency myths busted
You may have heard of all sorts of ideas for making your home energy efficient. Some of them may sound more believable than others!
We put a few popular energy efficiency suggestions to an expert from Anglian and asked them to say whether they are true or not.
Electricity is cheaper at night
This is only true for households on specific tariffs such as Economy 7 or Economy 10. For most people, electricity costs the same regardless of the time of day.
Verdict: Partly true
Turning up the thermostat will heat up your home quicker
Raising the thermostat increases the final temperature, not the speed of heating. Heating systems work at a fixed rate; better insulation is the only way to retain heat more effectively.
Verdict: False
Painting radiators black makes them more efficient
Radiators mainly heat rooms through convection, not radiation. Colour has no meaningful impact on efficiency.
Verdict: False
Placing tinfoil behind a radiator can conserve heat
Reflective radiator foil can reduce heat loss through external walls by reflecting warmth back into the room.
Verdict: True
Electricity can still be consumed even when devices aren’t in use
Many appliances continue to draw power when switched off but left plugged in. Chargers are a common example.
Verdict: True
Solar panels don’t produce energy on a cloudy day
Solar panels still generate electricity in cloudy conditions, though output is reduced compared to sunny days.
Verdict: False
It’s better to leave the lights on rather than turn them on and off continuously
Modern lighting does not require extra energy to switch on. Turning lights off when leaving a room always saves energy.
Verdict: False
Funding, grants and financial support
In 2025/26, several UK schemes continue to support energy efficiency improvements, including:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (heat pumps)
- ECO4 and Home Upgrade Grant schemes (insulation and heating)
- Local authority and council-led energy efficiency grants (Help to Heat)
Eligibility varies, so homeowners should check current government guidance or speak to their local council.
Check out whether there’s any entitlement to extra winter payments, benefits and savings.
Equity release may also be an option for some homeowners to fund major improvements, but independent financial advice should always be sought. Read our guide to Equity Release.
The Priority Services Register is a free and simple way to make sure you or someone you know gets extra support from energy or water suppliers.
Safeguarding and comfort tips
When making energy-saving changes for an older person, comfort and wellbeing should always come first:
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1.
Keep main living areas consistently warm; avoid letting rooms become cold to save money.
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2.
Do not turn heating off entirely in winter, especially overnight.
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3.
Ensure ventilation is maintained to prevent damp, mould and poor air quality.
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4.
Check that draught-proofing does not block essential vents or air bricks.
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5.
Monitor for signs of discomfort, cold stress or reduced mobility.
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6.
Don’t turn off lights is a person has sight issues or gets easily disoriented about their surroundings.
Make these changes gradually and review how the person feels after each one.
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