Practical energy saving advice for UK homeowners and renters. Reduce bills, improve your EPC rating, and make your home more comfortable without major spending.
334 articles
The right houseplants can filter indoor air more efficiently than a typical domestic extractor fan costs to run Many homeowners look for ways to improve indoor air quality without adding to their energy bills. A standard 15W bathroom extractor fan running continuously for 24 hours uses 0.36 kWh per day. At the 2026 average electricity […]
An energy efficient house in the UK in 2026 starts with the building fabric, not just renewables The single most important factor for an energy efficient house is minimising heat loss through the building envelope (walls, roof, floors, windows, and doors). Without a well-insulated and airtight fabric, any heating system or renewable technology will be […]
The cheapest windowsill planter saves roughly £25–40 a year on heating bills by adding a thermal buffer A windowsill planter filled with hardy, bushy plants such as lavender, hebe, or box creates a still-air layer against the glass. This reduces convective heat loss, which is the process by warm air inside your home moves towards […]
The average UK window box costs £45–£120 to plant and can reduce summer heat gain by up to 12% A window box is one of the simplest ways to add greenery to a home. It can also help reduce your energy bills. The upfront cost for a fully planted window box, including the container, compost […]
South-facing windows receive the most direct sunlight in UK homes, DESNZ data confirms this orientation can deliver up to 1,000 kWh/m² of solar gain annually If you have a south-facing window in your UK home, you already know it gets the strongest and longest sunlight of any room. That same orientation that heats your home […]
The single most important thing to know about north-facing windows is that they receive indirect light, so you must choose shade-tolerant plants. North-facing windows in the UK receive no direct sun at any point during the day. The light that reaches them is indirect or reflected light only. This is not a problem for many […]
The average UK homeowner spends £150–£350 per year on conservatory maintenance Conservatories add valuable living space to a home, but they also require regular upkeep. Without a planned maintenance schedule, small problems can turn into expensive repairs. Quick Answer Conservatory care costs £150–£350 per year on average, according to Which? 2026. This covers cleaning, sealant […]
A south-facing conservatory costs £180 more a year to heat than a shaded one with plants Adding a conservatory can increase your home’s heating costs, particularly if you choose the wrong plants. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) 2026 figures show that a south-facing conservatory can add 15–20% to a home’s heating […]
A poured concrete strip footing for a standard 3m x 4m conservatory costs roughly £1,500–£2,500, but an incorrectly chosen foundation can add £5,000+ to structural repairs. The cost of your conservatory foundation is not a fixed number. It depends almost entirely on what is under your garden, not on the size of the conservatory itself. […]
The UK’s most common conservatory types are defined by their roof and wall materials Choosing a conservatory starts with understanding the main structural types. The four most common designs in the UK are lean-to, Victorian, Edwardian, and gable-end. Each has a distinct roof shape and wall configuration that affects cost, heat retention, and how the […]
New uPVC conservatory costs start at £5,500–£9,000 installed, but add £2,000–£4,000 for a thermally efficient roof The cost of a new uPVC conservatory in 2026 depends on size, roof type, and location. A standard 3m x 4m uPVC conservatory with a polycarbonate or glass roof costs between £5,500 and £9,000 installed (Checkatrade, 2026; FMB member […]
The most important thing to know about small conservatories in 2026 If you are planning a small conservatory in 2026, the rules have changed. The Updated Building Regulations Part L (2025 edition, enforced from June 2026) now apply to any replacement roof, glazing, or heating system you install, even in a small conservatory. Quick Answer […]
Conservatory replacement roof options If your conservatory is freezing in winter and baking in summer, the roof is almost certainly the culprit. A standard polycarbonate roof loses heat around ten times faster than a modern insulated roof, making the room unusable for much of the year. The single most effective fix is a full replacement […]
Ofgem data shows conservatory roofs lose more heat than any other single-glazed building element If you are considering replacing your conservatory roof, the decision comes down to one overriding factor: heat loss. Ofgem’s heat-loss breakdown for single-storey extensions shows that a standard polycarbonate roof can be responsible for up to 30% of a conservatory’s total […]
UK conservatories lose more heat per square metre than any other room in a typical home, according to 2025 DESNZ data on building fabric performance. A single-glazed or poorly insulated conservatory can lose heat at up to four times the rate of a standard brick-built room (DESNZ, 2026). This leaves homeowners with a clear trade-off: […]
An orangery is a brick-and-glass structure that bridges a conservatory and a full extension in both cost and thermal performance If you want to add space and light to your home without the full cost of a brick extension, an orangery sits in the middle ground. This single-storey structure has a solid flat roof with […]
Orangery cost UK 2026 If you are considering adding extra space to your home, an orangery sits between a conservatory and a full extension in both cost and functionality. The final price depends on size, materials, and whether you include heating or plumbing. Quick Answer A standard 20m² orangery costs £15,000–£35,000 in 2026, with a […]
An orangery costs roughly 50% more than a conservatory, yet may offer better long-term value through lower heating bills. If you are adding a single-storey extension to your home, the choice between an orangery and a conservatory is one of the biggest decisions you will make. The two structures look similar but perform very differently […]
1. The average lean-to conservatory costs £8,000–£15,000 installed in 2026 A lean-to conservatory is a single-storey extension with a roof that slopes in one direction, typically attached to an existing house wall. It is one of the simplest and most affordable conservatory styles to build. Quick Answer A lean-to conservatory costs £8,000–£25,000 installed in 2026, […]
Ofgem data shows conservatories can increase heating bills by up to 20% in winter Adding a conservatory is a popular way to create extra floor space, but the type you choose directly affects your energy bills. Ofgem data indicates that a poorly insulated conservatory can force your central heating system to work harder, raising winter […]
Edwardian conservatories cost £12,000 to £35,000 fully installed in 2026 If you are considering adding a conservatory, the Edwardian style is one of the most popular choices in the UK. The total cost depends heavily on size, materials, and roof type. For a standard 3m x 4m Edwardian conservatory, you should expect to pay between […]
The total cost of a conservatory in 2026 ranges from £6,000 to £40,000 depending on the frame and roof type If you are considering adding a conservatory, the first question is likely how much it will cost. The total installed price varies enormously based on the design, materials, and roof specification you choose. Quick Answer […]
A typical holiday cottage retrofit costs £8,000–£22,000 and saves £600–£1,400 a year on energy bills If you own a holiday cottage, you may be wondering what it costs to improve its energy efficiency and how much you could save. The answer depends on the size and age of your property, but published government data gives […]
The single most important thing buyers need to know about eco home conveyancing When you buy a home with solar panels, a heat pump, or other energy efficiency features, the legal process is more complex than a standard conveyancing transaction. Eco home conveyancing is the legal process of checking a property’s energy efficiency features, including […]
The cheapest improvements are draught proofing (from 50 pounds DIY), topping up loft insulation (from 300 pounds), and using a smart thermostat to optimise heating schedules. These can save 200 to 400 pounds per year combined with minimal upfront cost.
Moving from EPC band D to C typically saves 200 to 400 pounds per year on energy bills. Going from E to C could save 400 to 700 pounds. The improvements also increase property value and may be required for rental properties in future regulations.
Smart meters do not directly save money, but the real-time display helps you identify and reduce wasteful usage. Studies suggest households with smart meters and in-home displays reduce consumption by 2 to 3 percent. The main benefit is accurate billing and easier switching between suppliers.
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! Frequently Asked Questions How much does an eco home cost to build in the UK?expand_more Building an eco home in the UK typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000 per square metre, depending on the specification and eco features included. A […]
Quick Wins That Save Money Immediately UK households spend an average of £1,834 per year on energy under the current Ofgem price cap. These proven measures can reduce that by 20-40% without major investment. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that simple behavioural changes alone save the average household £300-£500 annually. Free and Low-Cost Measures Turn […]
Millions of UK households hand over money to their energy supplier every month without really understanding what they are paying for. The energy bill lands, the direct debit goes out, and most people give the document no more than a passing glance before filing it away or deleting the email. Yet buried in those columns […]
Renting a home in the UK comes with a unique set of challenges for energy efficiency. Unlike homeowners, tenants cannot insulate walls, replace boilers, or install solar panels, and yet renters often live in some of the least energy-efficient homes in the country, facing higher bills as a result. The good news is that a […]
British households are paying significantly more for energy than they were before the price rises that reshaped the market, and yet a surprising proportion of that expenditure comes not from the size of your home or the age of your boiler, but from everyday habits that can be changed immediately, without spending a single pound. […]
Britain has now passed a significant milestone in its energy modernisation programme, with smart meters installed in tens of millions of homes across the country. Yet despite the nationwide rollout, a persistent question remains among homeowners deciding whether to accept an installation offer from their supplier, do smart meters actually make a meaningful difference to […]
