Over twenty-four million households are set to face an energy price cap of £3,549 this coming October. For someone with an average monthly income of £2,615 (after tax), this could mean spending 33 per cent of take-home pay just on energy next year.

This huge rise in energy prices has led to considerable efforts from homeowners to add energy-saving improvements to their homes. In fact, according to our 2022 Trends Report, 52% of homeowners we surveyed said that saving money on bills was their main motivator for buying eco home improvements.

If you’re looking for ways to live more sustainably and lower your energy consumption, the below energy saving improvements are some of the most popular eco trends homeowners are having done this year.

1. Loft insulation

An uninsulated home loses a quarter of its heat, just from the roof. It’s not surprising then that there was a 419% increase in demand for loft insulation last year, as it’s a cheap and highly effective energy saving home improvement.

In your lifetime, your insulated loft will pay you back many times for the cost of installation.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning your uninsulated loft into a 270mm insulated loft could save you up to £580 a year, depending on the type of home you have. It will also enable you to save thousands of kilograms in CO2 emissions, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint as well.

On average, a homeowner spends:

In most cases, it takes under a day to install loft insulation. There are several types of insulation, that come in a range of prices. If you’re interested in getting your loft insulated, speak to some skilled insulators, and get some free quotes today.

2. Cavity wall insulation

Like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation is another top eco home improvement that saw a 352% increase in demand last year. Adding a layer of cavity wall insulation can help trap up to a third of your home’s heat, preventing it from escaping through your walls.

Within just a few years, cavity wall insulation will pay you back for the upfront cost of installation, helping to make your home cheaper to heat. You may also be eligible for a grant under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. You can find out more on this here.

Cavity wall insulation will make your home warmer, lower your energy bills, and your carbon footprint. It can also add an average of £11,764 to the value of your property!

Not all homes have cavity walls (the chances are higher if your home was built between the 1920’s and 1980’s). You can have a survey carried out to find out whether you are eligible for this kind of insulation.

It takes between one and four hours to insulate cavity walls. There are a huge range of cavity wall insulation types, from insulation boards to wool or mineral fibre to EPS or PUR.

If you’re interested in getting your walls insulated, get into contact with some specialist tradespeople, and request some free quotes today.

3. Electric car charging point installation

Consumer demand for electric vehicles is greater than ever, with over 520,000 electric cars on the UK roads, as of July 2022.

This has also led to a demand increase of 404% for home charging points. Homeowners with electric vehicles who choose to have a car charging point installed in their home will also benefit from an average increase in home value of £11,538.

A home charging point can significantly lower your annual energy bill. This is because public station electric car chargers usually cost over double the amount your home charger does. Charging your car battery at home for 10,000 miles a year will cost you £523.18, whereas charging for the same amount at a public charge point will cost you £1,297.78, according to the Energy Saving Trust. 

This means that, within just a few years, your home charger could pay you back for the upfront cost of installation, which is of around £950 (for a 7kW charger).

Not to mention that home car chargers are incredibly convenient, allowing you to charge your car whenever you like, and to benefit from lower tariffs during the night. Keep in mind though that you need to have either a driveway or garage to have a home charger installed.

If you own an electric car, and are considering having your own car charger installed, you can request some free quotes here.

4. Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is an incredibly effective way of heating your home and does so in a far more eco-friendly way than other heating methods, like radiators. Substituting your radiators for a more efficient and low maintenance underfloor heating system will allow you to get rid of pesky cold spots and will free up your wall space, making your house seem bigger.

There are two kinds of underfloor heating (UDH), called wet UDH, and electric UDH. It costs between £1,350 and £1,850 to retrofit wet UDH in a 10 m² room, whereas it costs between £600 and £850 to retrofit electric UDH in a 10 m² room.

It currently costs around £161 a year to run wet UDH, and around £768 a year to run electric UDH in a 20 m² room. To heat one 10 m² room for four hours a day will cost you around £10.80 a month using electric UH. That’s around 10p per square metre, when run for six hours.

Wet systems are, on average, 25% more efficient than radiators, as they can perform at 50°C, rather than the 70°C – 90°C that radiators require. Though initially expensive to install, UDH does repay itself in the long run in energy savings, especially when paired with a renewable energy source.

It can take anywhere from one to five days to install underfloor heating. As well as saving you on annual energy bills, installing underfloor heating can add an average of £12,290 to the value of your property.

Underfloor heating is a top eco-trend and has seen a 27% rise (for wet systems) and 33% rise (for electric systems) in installations since last year. If you’re thinking of getting underfloor heating, let us know what you have in mind, and get some free quotes today.

5. Solar panels

Solar panels were a top ten eco improvement in 2022 and had a demand increase of 17% from last year, with over 60,000 homes installing solar panels in 2021. Though expensive to install, solar panels can add an average of £11,646 to the value of your home.

The advantages of solar energy are endless. Not only is it renewable and produces ‘clean’ energy, helping you do your bit for the planet, but solar panels are also very low maintenance. Looked after properly, they could last you upwards of 25 years without losing efficiency.  

The average cost of a 3kW PV solar panel system is of around £5,500 – £6,500, with more powerful models costing upwards of £8,000.

They can also help you save between £200 and £450 a year on electricity bills. Not to mention that you can also sell excess energy back to the grid (on average, £450 a year), making further money back on your investment.

Research has found that 66 per cent of all households that have invested in solar panels quickly begin to benefit from their presence, especially because they protect against future price hikes. Investing in solar power gives you independence and less reliance on the National Grid for electricity.

Investing in a solar battery storage will allow you to continue using energy after the sun has set. Check out our guide on solar panels, or request some free quotes today if you’re ready to upgrade to this renewable energy source.

Unfortunately, the cost of electricity is continuing to rise. Making your home as energy efficient as possible is one of the smartest things you can do to cut your energy bills and keep you and your loved ones warm this coming winter.

If you’re ready to get started, find a tradesperson in your area, and join the millions of homeowners who are also taking steps to live more sustainably this year.

The post 5 energy saving home improvements you should be considering now appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Demand for home improvements has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. As we shared in our Home Improvement Trends Report this year, 32% more improvement jobs were done in 2021 than in 2020. Painting is hands down the most common thing that people have been doing to their homes during this boom, and demand for eco home improvements is soaring too – almost half of UK homeowners (45%) are planning to make their homes more environmentally friendly in 2022.

So, if you’re looking for high quality paint, and wondering how you can make the most eco-friendly choice possible, we can help. Plus, if you’d like some inspiration, we’ve got you covered there too with the lowdown on paint colour trends. 

Most paint is solvent based, which means nasty smells and high levels of VOCs. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the chemicals found in most paint, that emit harmful gases. Their main purpose is to help with transferring the paint from the can to the wall. But there are alternatives. We’ve found the UK’s first and only climate positive paint brand, COAT, and we’ve secured an exclusive deal with them so you can be more eco-friendly in your choice of paint. 

Head to coatpaints.com to grab 5 free swatches – just enter RATEDPEOPLE5 at the checkout. 

Why are we only hearing about this paint revolution now? 

Two guys named Rob (Abrahams and Green) were working on a passion project in their spare time, with a goal of simplifying the clunky paint buying experience and giving the luxury paint market a kick into the modern world. They launched COAT in September of 2020.

Their mission was to set new standards in paint manufacturing by giving back to the planet more than they take (offsetting twice the carbon that they produce and therefore being “climate positive”). 

How can COAT Paints help me be greener? 

Obviously, to be successful, COAT needed to make really great quality paint, that is as eco-friendly as possible. To do that, they enlisted the help of scientists with 40+ years’ experience to make the recipe. The paint is entirely water-based, with ultra-low VOCs, and free of odour. The range is safe to breathe, during and after painting, and much more pleasant to paint with. The EU limit for Low VOC products is 30g per litre, which is the strictest in the world, and COAT is a fantastically minuscule 2g per litre. 

The eco innovation doesn’t stop with the paint. COAT offers clever Peel & Stick Colour Swatches to help people easily try paint shades at home, without the mess, waste and expense of traditional paint tester pots. It feels like a super simple idea, and with a curated colour palette of just 56 designer shades, COAT is focused on a ‘less is more’ approach to choosing colour. Once you’re ready, orders are mixed fresh and sent out to you the next day with all the kit you need – bye bye Saturdays in the DIY store.

Paint colour predictions 

Like us, COAT keep their customers up to date on trends. In fact, it’s a part of the brand – instead of overwhelming you with options, and producing gallons of paint that might not get used, they “don’t offer all the colours, just THE colours”. 

There’s been a trend for a while now of using natural and neutral colours. During the lockdowns, staying in our homes led a lot of people to create little sanctuaries so they could feel closer nature, and one way of doing that was by bringing nature indoors, or at least its colours.

A little earlier in the year, COAT shared their predictions for colour trends in 2022. Natural greens and neutral colours look to continue being popular, especially when paired with natural materials like wood and linen. But also, people are choosing bright, saturated colours. Grey is still popular too, often being used as a backdrop for the more vibrant colours.

Blue is also being used a lot, to create a relaxing ambience, which we all need when spending more time at home than normal. For more on how to get the most out of these on-trend colours by matching them in a complementary way, head to COAT’s blog now. For ideas on wall painting and lots more, head to our Inspiration centre now. 

And don’t forget, grab your 5 free swatches on coatpaints.com now by entering RATEDPEOPLE5 at the checkout. 

• coatpaints.com 
• Instagram: @coatpaints 
• Pinterest: @coatpaints     
• TikTok: @coatpaintsofficial    
• COAT Paints Flat Matt Range from £46 / 2.5L 

The post Paint that is beautiful, eco-friendly and easy to use? We found it.  appeared first on Rated People Blog.

2021 was the year that 35% of UK homeowners made their homes more environmentally friendly, and we predict that these numbers will continue to grow in the upcoming years. Sick of your non-energy efficient petrol or diesel car? Well, the days of expensive maintenance fees and high emissions will be over soon. They could be over right now, for you, with the help of an electric car and home car charger. We found out, in the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report 2022, that demand for electric car charging points has shot up by 80%. This means that now, more than ever, homeowners across the UK are making their motoring greener.

Thinking of joining the 45% of homeowners planning to make eco-friendly changes in 2022? An electric car may be the right choice for you. From the surge in electric car charging points, long term financial savings and outperformance of petrol-powered cars, an electric car could be this year’s best purchase. To give you an idea of the rate of expansion, in 2011 there were 1,300 public charging connectors, compared to 22,000 individual connectors now. Within the UK, you have 12,000 locations to choose from where you can top up your batteries, a number that increases daily.

So, what are the main factors to be aware of when it comes to electric cars? Studies show people are reluctant to buy electric cars because they’re afraid that charging them can be problematic.

Electric vehicle charging stations (EV chargers) supply electrical power for charging electric vehicles. The three main types of home car charging reflect the speed and voltage with which you can charge your car- slow, fast, rapid.

• Level 1: This is the usual charger supplied with most electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars. This type of charger will let you plug-in overnight for a full battery. In smaller cars a full charge can take up to eight hours.
• Level 2: If you want to double the rate of charge for your EV battery, this is the right charger for you. You can reduce your ‘fully charged’ time to just a few hours with a level 2 fast charger, which is the maximum speed charger you can have installed at home.
• Level 3: A rapid charger is the fastest way to charge your EV. This means you can add up to 100 miles of range in 35 minutes. However, these chargers are ​​designed for commercial locations and aren’t an option for home use.

So, you might be thinking about the high up-front cost of a home car charging point, but over time your electric car ends up costing less. Your future self will thank you. A home installation typically costs around £800 but with the help of increasing government incentives and the £3,500 ‘Plug-in Grant’, the switch to electric couldn’t be easier.

Many of us are already opting to dramatically lower our impact on the environment with an electric car. Our research ranks electric car charging point installation as the second most quickly growing eco job in popularity. But don’t worry if you’re out and low on charge, there are thousands of free electric car charging points across the UK. Following the government announcement of EV charging stations as a requirement for all new homes and businesses in the UK, starting this year, recharging your electric car will soon be as easy as refuelling with petrol or diesel.

The growth of EV charging infrastructures means struggling to find a car charging station will be a thing of the past. You can’t install a home car charging point yourself, but with the help and expertise of a local qualified electrician the job can be done in a few hours. Find certified and experienced electricians on Rated People to make the change to electric, as smooth and easy as possible.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking for home improvement inspiration or a tradesperson trying to help build a greener world, check out our Home Improvement Trends Report for all our key predictions this year. 

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From bright green wild grasses to vibrant quilts of moss, green roofs are a fantastic way to create new green spaces that brighten up your home and provide multiple benefits to you, simply by using that neglected square footage on your roof.

So what is a green roof? A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproof membrane on a flat or slightly sloping surface – think city office block rooftops, your kitchen extension or that much-used garden office. Increasingly popular across the UK, a green roof is a clever way to take advantage of a seemingly unused space and turn it into a green haven.

5 Reasons You Should Consider Getting a Green Roof

1. There’s no denying it: a luscious green space is beautiful to look at and it adds a natural element to your home’s exterior. Interestingly enough, allowing nature into your space will not only increase your sense of well-being, but it will also increase the value of your property.

2. Green roofs increase the life span of your roof; by protecting the material underneath from weather damage they can double or triple longevity to up to sixty years.

3. The covering of soil and plants improves roof drainage by slowing the flow of rainwater and is also a natural fire-resistant barrier, reducing both flood and fire risk.

4. Green roofs give better insulation, which will reduce heating bills, but their earth also absorbs a lot of sunlight and heat which lowers the temperature inside and outside the building.

5. Creating a green space on the roof has incredible benefits for nature; not only does greenery convert carbon dioxide into oxygen – improving air quality – but it offers a much needed habitat for insects, butterflies and birds. 

Whether you’re an avid gardener looking for a project or you want to add some low-maintenance greenery to your unused space, there is a green roof design for you. Like a garden, green roofs need tending to ensure they flourish, so choose a high or low maintenance planting option that suits you.

A good way to decide is to get advice on the location, design and layout of your garden roof when you start planning. A professional can also help you navigate the challenges of a green roof; they can be more expensive than traditional roofs and they are heavier, so the roof and building must be able to bear the extra load.

 So How Are Green Roofs Made?

It’s easy! There are many specialist companies that make ready-to-install units or vegetation blankets that are simply added on top of a protective roof layer, so it’s quick and you get to see the final green look straightaway. These ready-made solutions come in different types of composition meaning you can decide what you like and what suits your roof space.

Looking for a landscape architect or a roofing specialist? Find vetted, professional tradespeople by posting your job on Rated People. 

If you’re looking for home improvement inspiration or advice on how to create a more sustainable home, check out our Home Improvement Trends Report. 

The post Blending nature and architecture with green roofs appeared first on Rated People Blog.

57% of us want to be more eco-friendly over the next five years, according to The Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2021. Many UK banks and other mortgage lenders have recognised this desire and are now offering ‘green mortgages’ to incentivise people buying or creating energy efficient homes.

If you’re planning to buy a home in the future, a green mortgage could help you save money and cut your carbon footprint at the same time. Find out more about how green mortgages work in the UK in the blog post, below.

What is a green mortgage?

A green mortgage is a specific mortgage deal for homeowners that buy energy efficient houses or make eco improvements to their homes. Usually, the home will need to have, or be able to have, a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with an A or B rating to be eligible.

How much money could I save with a green mortgage?

Certain green mortgage deals offer cheaper rates than other types of mortgages, whilst other deals offer you cashback. Some lenders offer both benefits.

• Cheaper rates: Green mortgage deals typically offer loan-to-value (LTV) rates of at least 75%, but many go up to 90%.
• Cashback: Some providers will give cashback to your solicitor on the same day you drawdown your mortgage.

The exact amount of money you’ll save with a green mortgage depends on the lender you choose.

Aside from saving money on your mortgage itself, having an eco-friendly home will save you money long-term. Your electricity, water and heating bills will likely be lower, as your home and the appliances inside (such as boilers and washing machines) will use less energy and therefore cost less to run.

Eligibility criteria for green mortgages

You can find a green mortgage deal for both new-build and existing properties. Some lenders may only cover one type of home or the other.

Can I get a green mortgage if the home I’m buying isn’t energy efficient?

Many lenders will allow you to get a green mortgage for a non-energy efficient home, as long as you commit to spend a set amount of money on installing green home improvements. It’s likely that you’ll need to show that you’ve improved your home’s EPC rating by a certain number, within a certain timeframe.

Which banks offers green mortgages?

At the time of writing (July 2021), the banks and other financial institutions offering green mortgages include:

• NatWest.
• Barclays.
• Royal Bank of Scotland.
• Virgin Money.
• Nationwide.

The post How green mortgages work appeared first on Rated People Blog.

The way that we use water in our homes plays a big part in how eco-friendly we are and how high our water bills are. In order to treat and distribute water for us to use, water companies in England and Wales release the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as 1.5 million cars annually. This has led to many of them committing to reducing their emissions. You can do the same, and cut your water bills at the same time, by making your home water efficient.

Start off small but strong with 5 changes that’ll save water in different areas of your home on a daily basis, below.

Skip to: Kitchen · Garden · Bathroom · Utility/laundry room · WC/toilet room

Save around 1.4 litres in the kitchen every day

We’re a nation of tea lovers so it’s no surprise that kettles are one of the biggest culprits for wasted water in the kitchen. Research has found that on average, we boil double the amount of water than we actually need to make a cup of tea. With each tea drinker knocking back an average of four 350ml cups every day, that results in each of us wasting around 1.4L of water on a daily basis!

It might seem obvious but making a conscious effort to fill your kettle up to the amount needed, rather than all the way, will mean you’ll use less water. Plus, your kettle will use less energy as there’s less water to heat up and it’ll boil quicker too, so you’ll get your tea faster, and that’s never a bad thing. Just make sure to descale your kettle regularly to get rid of any worries about limescale at the bottom of your mug.

Save roughly 15 litres in the garden every minute spent watering it

Do you have a garden hose or sprinklers to help you keep your garden in good health? You’re using around 15 litres of water every minute that they’re switched on. Depending on the size of your lawn and the number of plants and flowers that you have, that can really add up.

Rainwater harvesting provides you with free water that’s better for your garden than tap water is, due to its lower pH. It’s worth it in the UK too, as the average roof collects enough water to fill 150 water butts yearly! Plus, it’ll provide you with adequate water in case of a hosepipe ban.

A water butt connected to a drainpipe is a simple way to collect rainwater. If you don’t want a water butt taking up space, then there are roof-mounted systems available, too.

Find out which rainwater systems work best to make your home more water efficient, in our blog post: The ins and outs of rainwater harvesting.

Save 32 litres or so in the bathroom every day

If everyone in a family of four cut one minute off a 10-minute shower, they could save up to 11,648L of water every year. That’s 32L or so a day.

4 minutes is the optimal amount of time to spend in the shower. You can get a stick-on shower timer; many water companies give them away for free. If you’re a fan of shower karaoke, try using music as a timer seeing as the average song is about 4 minutes long.

Check out more bathroom water saving tips.

Save 50 litres in the utility/laundry room

Underfilling your washing machine obviously wastes water. On the other hand, overfilling it could mean your clothes will come out dirty or with detergent marks on them. That’s 50L of water wasted (the average amount used each cycle) as you’ll need to wash them again.

The drum should be about 80% full for a full load. A good way to make sure you’ve filled it to the right level is to put your hand in the drum. There should be about a hand’s worth of space between the top of the drum and your washing.

Looking at buying a new washing machine? It’s now easier to find an energy efficient model and therefore create a more water efficient home. New-style energy labels that show the water consumption of the model are now provided with washing machines in the UK. Read more about energy labels and how they’re changing.

Washing machines will be cheaper to run from this summer as tighter energy efficiency standards come into place. This’ll cut £75 off your energy bills every year and make washing machines easier to repair if they break down. Find out more about the Right to Repair law.

Save up to 400 litres in the WC/toilet room every day

You might not spot a toilet leak if you’re not looking for it. It’s something to beware of, though. A leaky toilet wastes up to 400 litres of water every day and you might not even know it’s happening. That makes for a pricey future water bill!

An easy way to check for a silent leak is to drop some food colouring into the cistern. If there’s food colouring in the bowl after about half an hour, then you might have a leak. You could have a go at one of the DIY fixes in our guide to common plumbing problems and how to fix them. If DIY’s not your forte, hire a plumber to fix the problem. You can find 24-hour plumbers on Rated People.

The post Everyday changes to create a water efficient home appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Installing energy efficiency improvements in your home brings many benefits: lower energy bills, reduced carbon footprint, and an increase in the value of your home, too. However, the upfront cost may put you off certain green home upgrades. Whilst the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme closed earlier this year, there are alternative schemes that also reduce the overall cost of making your home eco-friendlier.

Find a list of energy efficiency home grants, cash incentives, discounts and other schemes available at both national and local levels, below.

Skip to:

England, Wales, and Scotland schemes

• Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive – quarterly payments for renewable heating systems.
• Smart Export Guarantee Scheme – payments for unused renewable energy.
• VAT reduction – pay less VAT when installing certain green home improvements.
• Energy Company Obligation Scheme – discounted or free energy efficiency and heating home improvements if you receive certain benefits.
• Affordable Warmth Obligation – free heating upgrades if you receive certain benefits.
• Discounts on energy bills.
  • Warm Home Discount – discounted winter electricity bill of pensioners and people on low incomes.
  • Winter Fuel Payment – discounted heating bill of pensioners.
  • Cold Weather Payment – a payment for each 7-day period of cold weather if you receive certain benefits.
  • Fuel Direct – support for people receiving certain benefits to pay their fuel and electricity bills.

Scotland-specific schemes

• Home Energy Scotland loan – an interest-free loan to install certain energy efficiency measures.
• Warmer Homes Scotland funding – funding to install measures that make your home warmer if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills.
• Electric car charging point grant – a grant to install a home charge point for electric vehicles.

Wales-specific schemes

• NEST Wales – free energy efficiency home improvements.

Northern Ireland-specific schemes

• Boiler Replacement Scheme – grant to replace your current boiler.
• Affordable Warmth Scheme – free energy efficiency home improvements.

England, Wales and Scotland

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme

If you install certain renewable heat systems in your home and join the domestic RHI scheme, you’ll get quarterly payments for seven years. The renewable heat systems eligible for the scheme are:

• Solar thermal panels.
• Air source heat pumps.
• Ground source heat pumps.
• Biomass boilers.

The scheme is run by Ofgem (The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets).

How much can I get?

The amount of money you’ll get depends on the amount of clean renewable heat that your system produces. Find out how much you could get by using the domestic RHI payment calculator.

Who’s eligible?

Homeowners and private or social landlords in England, Scotland, and Wales. Owners of new build properties aren’t usually eligible, except if you’re building your own home.

When’s the deadline?

Midnight on 31^st March 2022.

How to apply

Before installing a renewable heat system in your home, follow Ofgem’s guidance on preparing to apply for the scheme. This includes looking at the Domestic RHI Product Eligibility List. Then, you can apply for the domestic RHI. You can do all of this on the Ofgem website.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme

Through the SEG scheme, households that export the excess, unused renewable electricity that they generate to the National Grid will get payments from electricity suppliers. The low-carbon electricity systems covered by the scheme are:

• Solar PV panels.
• Wind.
• Micro combined heat and power.
• Hydro.
• Anaerobic digestion.

The SEG scheme replaces the Feed-in Tariff.

How much can I get?

The amount of money you’ll get depends on the electricity supplier you apply to. So, it’s important to shop around. The following companies are mandatory SEG suppliers from 1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022:

• Avro Energy.
• British Gas.
• Bulb.
• E.
• EDF Energy.
• E.ON.
• Octopus Energy.
• OVO Energy.
• People’s Energy.
• Pure Planet.
• Scottish Power.
• Shell Energy.
• So Energy.
• The Utility Warehouse.
• Utilita.
• Utility Point.

Find voluntary SEG suppliers on the Ofgem website.

Who’s eligible?

Anyone that has a low-carbon electricity system in Great Britain, with a total installed capacity of 5MW maximum, or 50kW maximum for micro combined heat and power.

When’s the deadline?

The scheme started on 1^st January 2020 and is in its second year. It’s ongoing so there isn’t a deadline.

How to apply

Apply directly on the SEG supplier’s website.

VAT reduction

When you get certain energy efficient home improvements installed in your home and meet certain criteria, you’ll pay a reduced VAT rate of 5%. The eligible energy efficient home improvements are:

• Central heating and hot water system controls.
• Draught proofing, such as insulating around windows and doors.
• Wall, floor, ceiling and loft insulation.
• Solar panels.
• Ground-source heat pumps.
• Air-source heat pumps.
• Micro combined heat and power.
• Wood-fuelled boilers.

If you get an energy efficiency home grant for certain installations, you’ll also be eligible for the VAT reduction on the grant-funded part of the work.

The eligible upgrades are:

• Heating appliances: Installation.
• Central heating systems: Installation, repair, and maintenance.
• Renewable source heating systems: Installation, repair, and maintenance.

The green home upgrades that aren’t eligible for the VAT reduction are:

• Heating appliances or systems (unless grant-funded, as explained above).
• Energy efficient boilers or fridge freezers.
• Secondary or double glazing.
• Low emission glass.
• Wind or water turbines.

Who’s eligible?

People over 60 years old that receive one of the following:

• Child Tax Credit (not including the family element).
• Council Tax Benefit.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Personal Independence Payment.
• A disablement pension.
• Housing Benefit.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Income Support.
• War Disablement Pension.
• Working Tax Credit.

When’s the deadline?

The VAT reduction is ongoing; there’s no deadline currently.

How to apply

Your supplier will charge you the correct rate of VAT.

Read more on Gov.uk.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme

The ECO scheme helps households to install energy efficiency and heating home improvements at a reduced price. The current phase of the scheme (ECO3) is targeted towards lower income households. If you’re eligible, you might be able to get some improvements fitted for free.

What can I get?

The green upgrades available vary by supplier, but the possibilities include:

• Cavity wall and loft insulation.
• Boiler repairs and replacements.
• Upgrading storage heaters
• Installing central heating systems.

See what each ECO supplier is currently offering on the Simple Energy Advice website.

Who’s eligible?

You might be eligible if you receive certain benefits, such as:

• Pension Guarantee Credit (not including Pension Savings Credit).
• Universal Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
• Tax Credits (Child Tax and Working Tax).
• Attendance Allowance.
• Carer’s Allowance.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Personal Independence Payment.
• Severe Disablement Allowance.
• Industrial Industries Disablement Benefits.
• War Pensions Mobility Supplement.
• Constant Attendance Allowance.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• Child Benefit.

Complete the ECO eligibility questionnaire to find out if you’re eligible. You might be able to get help even if you don’t receive any benefits.

When’s the deadline?

ECO3 is in place until 31^st March 2022, after which a new phase will start.

How to apply

Contact the ECO supplier of your choice to apply directly with them. The current ECO suppliers include:

• Avro Energy.
• British Gas.
• Bulb.
• E.
• E-ON.
• Ecotricity.
• EDF Energy.
• Octopus Energy.
• OVO Energy.
• Pure Planet.
• Scottish Power.
• Shell Energy.
• So Energy.
• Utility Warehouse.
• Utilita.
• Utility Point.

Affordable Warmth Obligation

Energy suppliers are providing help with insulation, boiler replacements or repairs and other heating upgrades.

Who’s eligible?

People claiming certain benefits that live in private housing (e.g., homeowners or people that rent from a private landlord) or live in social housing. The eligible benefits are:

• Pension Guarantee Credit (not including Pension Savings Credit).
• Universal Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
• Tax Credits (Child Tax and Working Tax).
• Attendance Allowance.
• Carer’s Allowance.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Personal Independence Payment.
• Severe Disablement Allowance.
• Industrial Industries Disablement Benefits.
• War Pensions Mobility Supplement.
• Constant Attendance Allowance.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• Child Benefit.

People that rent must have the owner’s permission to do the work. If you live in social housing with an energy efficiency rating of E or below, then you might be able to get help with installing insulation or a heating system for the first time.

When’s the deadline?

There is no deadline.

How to apply

Speak to your energy supplier. In addition, you can read more about the scheme on Gov.uk.

Discounts on energy bills

Warm Home Discount

What can I get?

£140 off your winter electricity bill for 2021 to 2022. You’ll get a one-off Warm Home Discount for your bill from October to March.

Who’s eligible?

• The ‘core group’. This includes people that get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and:
  • Your name, or your partner’s name, is on the electricity bill.
  • You or your partner get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (including those that also get Savings Credit).
  • Your energy supplier is part of the scheme – find the full list of suppliers for last year’s scheme on Gov.uk.
• The ‘broader group’. This consists of people on a low income.

How to apply

Applications open on 18^th October 2021. There isn’t a set date for people living in park or mobile homes. Fill in the Park Homes Warm Home Discount form to be notified when the scheme opens.

The core group

You’ll get a letter between October and December 2021 telling you how to get the Warm Home Discount. Follow any instructions on the letter, and your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31^st March 2022. If you think you’re eligible for the core group but you don’t get a letter by 31^st December, call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 731 0214 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

The broader group

Electricity suppliers have a limited number of discounts to give out. Check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply – even if you got one last year. Your supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31^st March 2022 if you’re eligible.

If you’re in Scotland, you can call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 to see if you’re eligible.

If you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter, your electricity supplier can tell you how to get the discount.

Winter Fuel Payment

Who’s eligible?

People born on or before 5^th October 1954 that lived in the UK for at least one day during the ‘qualifying week’, which is 21^st to 27^th September 2020. If you didn’t live in the UK during that time, you might still be eligible if you live in Switzerland or an EEA country, or you have a genuine link to the UK such as having previously worked here.

How much can I get?

Between £100 and £300 to pay your heating bills. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you get will depend on your circumstances.

If you were born between 28^th Sept 1940 and 5^th Oct 1954, and:

• You live alone or with people that don’t qualify: You’ll get £200.
• You’re living with someone under 80 who also qualifies: You’ll get £100.
• You live with some 80 or over who also qualifies: £100.
• You’re living in a care home and don’t get certain benefits: £100.

If you were born on or before 27^th September 1940, and:

• You live alone or with people that don’t qualify: £300.
• You’re living with someone under 80 who also qualifies: £200.
• You live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies: £150.
• You’re living in a care home and don’t get certain benefits: £150.

When’s the deadline?

Most payments are made automatically, usually in November or December. In addition, you should get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and your payment date.

Cold Weather Payment

£25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1^st November 2021 and 31^st March 2021.

Who’s eligible?

People that get:

• Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).
• Pension Credit.
• Universal Credit.
  • You must also have a health condition or disability and limited capacity for work or have a child under 5 that lives with you.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
  • If you’re not in a work-related activity group or support group, you might still get Cold Weather Payments if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, a child under 5 that lives with you or Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • For the latter two, you must also have a disability or pensioner premium, a child who’s disabled, a child under 5 that lives with you or Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element.

When’s the deadline?

The 2020 to 2021 scheme has ended, but you’ll be able to see if your area is due a payment for next year’s scheme from 1^st November 2021.

How to apply

The Cold Weather Payment is an automatic offer.

If you get Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and you have a baby or a child aged under 5 that starts living with you, tell Jobcentre Plus otherwise you won’t automatically get your Cold Weather Payments.

Anyone that doesn’t get their Cold Weather Payment should tell their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus. If you get Universal Credit, add a note to your journal on your online account or ring the helpline listed on letters you’ve received about your Universal Credit claim (if you don’t have an online account).

Fuel Direct

You can get some of your fuel and electricity bills (and other bills, like rent) paid directly through your benefits payments if you’re having difficulty paying.

How much can I get?

Some of your benefits will be paid directly to the person or company you owe. The exact amount depends on how much you need to pay off.

Universal Credit recipients can get a 5% deduction for gas, electricity and water.

Who’s eligible?

People that receive:

• Universal Credit.
• Pension Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

How to apply

Talk to the Jobcentre Plus or your pension centre and tell them:

• How much you owe and who to.
• Your customer reference number for your bills.
• Your National Insurance number.

Find out more about Fuel Direct and the other bills covered, on Gov.uk.

Scotland-specific schemes

Home Energy Scotland Loan

An interest-free loan to install energy efficiency measures. You can also get up to 40% cashback for some measures, and 75% for specific renewable heating systems.

How much can I get?

The amount you get depends on the upgrades you want to make; the upgrades covered are:

Energy efficiency improvements

• Solid wall insulation: Up to £6,000 loan plus £4,000 cashback; £10,000 total.
• Gas, LPG or oil heating systems: Up to £5,000 loan.
• Warm air units or high heat retention electric storage heaters: Up to £4,600 loan plus £400 cashback; £5,000 total.
• Gas connection: Up to £5,000 loan.
• Glazing: Up to £4,100 loan plus £400 cashback; £4,500 total.
• Insulated doors: Up to £4,500 loan.
• Flat roof or room-in-roof insulation: Up to £2,400 loan plus £1,600 cashback; £4,000 total.
• Loft, floor or cavity wall insulation: Up to £600 loan plus £400 cashback; £1,000 total.

The above figures are maximums – cashback is normally up to 25% of the total funding. Any additional funding is subject to availability.

Renewable systems

• Wind or hydro turbines: Up to £2,500 loan.
• Solar PV: UP to £5,000 loan
• Solar water heating systems: Up to £1,250 loan plus £3,750 cashback; £5,000 total.
• Hybrid PV-solar water heating systems: Up to £7,500 loan.
• Energy storage systems (heat or electric batteries): Up to £6,000.
• Heat pumps (air source to water, ground source to water, water source to water, hybrid air source to water): Up to £2,500 loan plus £7,500 cashback.
• Heat meters installed alongside heat pump: Up to £500 cashback.
• Biomass boilers or stoves (excluding non-automated, non-pellet stoves and room heaters): Up to £2,500 loan plus £7,500 cashback.
• Connections to a renewably powered district heating scheme: Up to £1,250 loan plus £3,750 cashback; £5,000 total.

Cashback for renewable heating measures is given on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you apply for heat meter funding, you’ll need to be willing to give meter readings on request after installation.

Secondary improvements

You can borrow up to £500, including £200 cashback for improvements combined with one of the energy efficiency improvements or renewable systems listed above.

Who’s eligible?

Homeowners that live in the property they own, or self-builders (for home renewable systems or energy storage systems). However, landlords, businesses, and property developers aren’t eligible.

How to apply

Call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 to speak to an advisor. Read more about the scheme on the Home Energy Scotland website.

Warmer Homes Scotland

Households struggling to pay their energy bills can get funding to make their home warmer and therefore reduce their energy costs.

What can I get?

• Loft and wall insulation.
• Draught proofing.
• Central heating, including new gas boilers.
• Renewables.

Who’s eligible?

Homeowners or people that rent privately, that:

• Live in the home as their main residence.
• Have lived in the home for 12 months minimum, unless they have a DS1500 certificate.
• Live in a home that’s 230 sq m in floor size, with an energy rating of 67 or below.
• Live in a home that meets the tolerable living standard detailed in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. If not, then the living standards mustn’t have an impact on the effectiveness of the measures recommended under the scheme.
• Haven’t received Warmer Homes Scotland funding in the last 5 years.

They must also be:

• 75 or over with no working heating system and in receipt of a passport benefit.
• Pregnant or have a child aged 16 or under and in receipt of a passport benefit.
• Receiving Payment Independent Payment with a disability.
• In receipt of high rate Disability Living Allowance (care or mobility component).
• In receipt of low or medium rate Disability Living Allowance and an income related benefit.
• A carer receiving Carers Allowance.
• In receipt of Armed Forces Independence Payment or War Disablement Pension and have been injured or disabled whilst serving in the Armed Forces.
• Injured or disabled due to an accident or disease caused at work, and in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

The passport benefits are: Guarantee element of the Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Council Tax Reduction (excluding the 25% single occupancy discount), Carer’s Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, War Disablement Pension, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Higher Rate Care or Mobility components of Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment, or Universal Credit or any of the benefits due to be replaced by it.

How to apply

Contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or fill in the contact form for a call or email back. In addition, you can read more about the scheme on the Home Energy Scotland website.

Electric car charging point grant

The Energy Saving Trust and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) provides grants towards the cost of installing 32-amp home charge points for eligible electric vehicles, in line with OZEV technical specifications.

What can I get?

• £350 from OZEV.
• £250 from the Energy Saving Trust.
• £100 extra from those in the most remote areas of Scotland, from the Energy Saving Trust.

Who’s eligible?

Any installation done by an OZEV-accredited supplier, for the OZEV grant. For the £250 and extra £100 reimbursement, it needs to be installed by an Energy Saving Trust-approved domestic charge point installer. Use the domestic charge point installer map to find one.

How to apply

1. Get at least one quote from a domestic charge point installer. Getting three quotes is recommended.
2. Send electronic copies of your chosen quote and proof that you own an electric vehicle (e.g. an order form) and submit your application form.
3. Once you’ve received a grant offer, you can arrange a date for the work to be completed with your supplier. You won’t be eligible for the funding if you get your charge point installed before you get a grant offer.
4. Get your invoice and electrical installation certificate from the installer.
5. Send your paid invoice, electrical installation certificate and completed grant claim form to the Energy Saving Trust.

The initial £350 will be paid directly to your supplier. Once you’ve paid anything over that to your supplier, you can apply for the £250 reimbursement from the Energy Saving Trust.

If you’re looking to switch to an electric car, van, motorbike or scooter, you can get an interest-free loan of up to £28,000. Read more on the Home Energy Scotland website. Or, you can switch to an eBike or adapted cycle with the help of an interest free loan worth up to £6,000 – read more on the Home Energy Scotland website.

Wales-specific schemes

NEST Wales

You can get free energy efficiency improvements done in your home through the scheme. The improvements covered are a new boiler, central heating and insulation.

Who’s eligible?

Homeowners or private-sector renters (not council or housing association renters) that:

• Live in a home that’s energy inefficient and expensive to heat.
• Receive, or live with someone that receives, a means tested benefit or has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition and income below defined thresholds.

Read more details on the eligibility criteria on the Nest website.

How to apply

Call the freephone number 0808 808 2244 or fill in the online form to get a callback.

Northern Ireland-specific schemes

Boiler Replacement Scheme

You can get a grant to:

• Replace an inefficient boiler with a more energy efficient condensing oil or gas boiler.
• Switch from an oil to gas boiler.
• Switch to a wood pellet boiler.

How much can I get?

A grant of up to £1,000, depending on your total gross annual income.

People earning less than £20,000

You’ll get £700 to replace your boiler. The grant will rise to £1,000 total if controls are also installed.

People earning over £20,000, but less than £40,000

You’ll get £400 to replace your boiler. The grant will rise to £500 total if controls are also installed.

Who’s eligible?

Owner occupiers with an inefficient boiler that’s 15 years old minimum, and a gross household income of less than £40,000.

How to apply

Get in touch with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to apply, on:

• Phone: 0344 892 0900.
• Email: [email protected].

Affordable Warmth Scheme

A scheme offering free energy efficiency improvements to households with an income of £20,000 or below. The improvements covered are:

Insulation, ventilation, or draught proofing

• Installing or topping loft insulation up to 300mm.
• Roof, loft, or eaves ventilation.
• Cavity wall insulation or removing and replacing ineffective cavity wall insulation.
• Draught proofing of doors and windows.
• Providing a hot water cylinder jacket.

Heating

• Installing natural gas or oil central heating to replace solid fuel, LPG or Economy 7 systems.
• Converting an Economy 7 system to a high efficiency electrical storage system, where gas and oil systems aren’t viable.
• Replacing or upgrading a boiler that’s at least 15 years old, for householders that are either aged over 65, are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, or have a child that’s in receipt of Child Benefit.

Windows

• Replacing single glazed windows.
• Replacing defective double glazing.

Solid walls

• Solid wall insulation.

How much can I get?

A grant of up to £7,500. If your home needs solid wall construction and insulation, you could get up to £10,000.

If you rent your home privately, your landlord will need to pay 50% of the total cost of the energy efficiency measures needed, as well as agreeing to the measures being installed and registering with the Department for Communities’ Landlord Registration Scheme.

Who’s eligible?

People that live in Northern Ireland with a total annual gross income of less than £20,000, and:

• Own their home.
• Or rent their home from a private landlord.
• Or have their day/life interest in the home.

How to apply

Council staff are visiting homes that are most likely to be affected by fuel property. Or, you can contact your local council to see if you’d qualify for help and to apply.

To search for more energy efficiency home grants available in your area of the UK, head to the postcode search tool on the Simple Energy Advice website.

The post Grants and financial support to make your home more energy efficient appeared first on Rated People Blog.

According to our 2023 Home Improvement Trends Report, 48% of homeowners are finding ways to renovate more sustainably this year. This means that becoming more eco-friendly is still a big priority for many homeowners around the UK.

Alongside heat pumps and other renewable energy home upgrades, solar panels are a popular option for homeowners that want to reduce their carbon footprint and cut down on their energy bills. Find out whether solar energy could work for your home and the benefits solar panels bring, below.

When you’re ready, you can then hire a solar panel insulation specialist to help you make your home more energy efficient.

How do solar panels work?

There are two main types of solar panel. Solar electricity panels capture the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity for your home. They’re commonly known as solar PV panels (photovoltaics). These panels generate roughly 355W of energy in strong sunlight.

On the other hand, solar thermal panels capture the sun’s energy, but convert it into energy that heats up water for your home instead. These panels are made of either flat plate collectors or evacuated tubes (glass tubes).

How are solar panels installed?

An installer that’s accredited with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is best placed to complete the installation. MCS is a quality assurance scheme for tradespeople installing low-carbon energy technology. Through MCS, you can be sure that your solar panel installer is working to high standards.

You can opt for:

In-roof

In-roof (or integrated) solar panels are installed by removing some of your roof tiles and fitting the panels in their place. The panels sit flatter against your roof than on-roof ones do. But, they are often more expensive to install.

On-roof

On-roof solar panels are installed by fitting anchors onto the roof. The panels are then mounted onto the anchors. This is the most common type of solar panel installation.

Can solar panels be installed on all types of roof?

To generate the most power, solar panels should be installed on true south facing roofs. If your roof faces west or east, it might still be eligible (though solar panel systems installed in these directions tend to generate 15-20% less energy than on roofs facing south). We don’t recommend you install a solar panel system on a north facing roof.

Solar panels can be installed on many types of roof, including concrete tile, clay tile, metal and flat roofs.

Concrete tile roof

If you have an older roof, some of the tiles may break during the installation process and you’ll need to pay to replace them.

Clay tile roof

Some installers won’t fit solar panels on clay roofs because the tiles are often very fragile, but it’s worth speaking to a couple tradespeople to see if they’re willing to do the work.

Metal roof

One benefit of fitting them on a metal roof is that they’ll help to keep your home cool during hot weather.

Flat roof

They can also be fitted on flat roofs. However, it’s important to make sure that the panels are tilted high enough to capture the most sunlight.

Do I have to install solar panels on my roof?

An alternative to on or in roof mounting is to mount your solar panels on the ground in your garden or on a wall. This is a good alternative if you can’t have them fitted on your roof or need a larger surface area to capture more sunlight than your roof can.

According to the Renewable Energy Hub, ground-mounted solar panels cost around the same amount as roof-mounted ones.

How long do solar panels take to install?

This varies from house to house, but most installations only take one day. Speak to a skilled solar panel specialist to get started today.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

In most cases, you won’t need planning permission, if the panels don’t stick out too far off your roof. This is because they’re usually considered a ‘permitted development’. However, if your home is a listed building or within a conservation area, then you’ll need to contact your Local Planning Authority to get planning permission.

In any case, it’s best to double check with your local authority before installing anything. For more information about planning permission, check out our planning permission guide.

How much do solar panels cost?

Research by TradesmenCosts.co.uk for Rated People found that solar thermal panels cost between £4,000 and £5,000 to install. Solar PV panels cost around £5,500, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

How much you end up spending will depend on the size and type of panels you get, as well as how difficult it is to access your roof. Where you live in the UK will also impact cost of labour, which can rise by up to 20% on average in London and the Southeast. For a more accurate quote, speak to a skilled solar panel installer today.

Do you really save money with solar panels?

Solar PV panels could save you between £325 and £610 every year, depending on your electricity use and where you live in the UK (according to the Energy Saving Trust).

For example, you could save £610 a year by running electricity all day in London, whilst being out all day until 6pm would allow you to save £360 a year. In Aberystwyth, Wales, those figures go from £580 to £335, depending on your energy consumption. In the North of England (Manchester), you could save £550 (home all day), or £325 (out all day until 6pm).

This means that, if you regularly run electricity all day, you could pay back the cost of installation within a decade! It’s no surprise then that solar panels are this year’s third eco home improvement with the highest demand increase, according to our 2023 Trends Report.

With the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee), you can sell excess energy back to the grid, making further money back on your investment! If you don’t sell your excess energy to the grid, your overall annual savings will be lower. You can use this solar energy calculator to predict how much you could save by switching to solar power, depending on where you live.

Are there any government grants for solar panels?

Zero VAT

Until April 1st, 2027, households will now pay 0% VAT on any energy-saving materials they’re getting installed, making it cheaper to invest in solar panels. According to the UK Government, this could save a typical family around £1,000 to install, and then £300 a year on their energy bills as well.

ECO4

ECO4 is the latest phase of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme. It’s designed to help low-income families save energy, make homes warmer and reduce carbon emissions. ECO4 allows you to apply to have fully-funded or discounted solar panels installed in your home.  

The scheme is open to all UK homeowners who own or rent their property. To find out whether you’re eligible for this grant, fill in this eco-funding questionnaire. 

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

Launched in 2020, the Smart Export Guarantee means that energy suppliers pay homeowners for any solar-generated electricity they don’t use (for solar PV panels only). With SEG, a homeowner in London saves £610 annually by running electricity all day. Without SEG, annual savings fall to £500.

To qualify for this, you have to apply to a SEG licensee (an energy supplier that offers an SEG tariff – this doesn’t necessarily have to be the same as your current energy supplier). Find out more on SEG licensees, and see which suppliers offer the best rates to get started.

The Green Deal

The Green Deal is a loan that allows you to spread the cost of your energy-saving home improvements over 10-25 years. It’s designed to encourage homeowners, tenants and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, and covers a range of eco home improvements, including solar panels.

Loan re-payments are added to your electricity bill. You have to have an electricity meter to be eligible for this scheme. You’ll need to get your property assessed first. This will cost around £100 – £200. You’ll then receive a report with recommendations on which improvements will pay for themselves, alongside estimated cost savings. Once you have this, you’ll then be able to apply for a Green Deal Finance Plan.

Are solar panels worth it in UK 2023?

Solar PV panels last between 40 and 50 years, with many models offering a warranty to ensure good performance during this time. Solar thermal panels last for an average of 25 years. Both options will pay for themselves over time, making them a good investment for many properties.

Solar panels can still generate electricity or heat on cloudy days. This makes them a viable option for UK homes, despite the inconsistent weather! They’re growing in popularity too, with many homeowners wanting to cut their energy bills and lower their home’s carbon footprint.

According to our 2023 Trends Report, 45% of homeowners are installing eco home improvements this year – up from 25% in 2022! To join the homeowners installing solar panels this year, speak to a skilled solar energy specialist today.

The post Solar panel guide: everything you need to know appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Keeping our homes warm can be expensive, so it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for the top ways to save money on our heating bills. Heat pumps and other alternative heating systems can be more expensive to buy than a gas boiler, but they are more efficient and offer long term savings – making them a cheaper heating solution in the long run. Discover how heat pumps work and how they improve your home, below.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a device that gathers heat from a source, such as heat in the soil, and moves it into your house. There are a few different types of heat pumps:

How an air source heat pump (ASHP) works

1. Heat is absorbed from the air outside at a low temperature – as low as -15°C, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
2. The heat is transferred into a fluid.
3. The fluid goes through a compressor at a higher temperature.
4. The heat is moved into the heating and hot water systems in your home.

One specific type of ASHP that’s popular in the UK is the air-to-water heat pump. Air-to-water heat pumps absorb heat from the air, and then transfer it into water. Then, the heat is spread around your home through a wet central heating system. This type of ASHP works at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system, meaning they’re cheaper to run and they lower your carbon emissions.  

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How a ground source heat pump (GSHP) works

1. Heat is gathered from the ground through a loop of pipe containing a fluid made of water and antifreeze. This is called a ground loop, and it’s buried in your garden.
2. The fluid goes through a heat exchanger and into the heat pump.
3. The fluid is distributed into the radiators and hot water, underfloor or warm air heating systems in your home. 

Read more about how ground source heat pumps work.

How a hybrid heat pump works

A hybrid heat pump consists of an air source heat pump and a gas or oil boiler. They’re particularly useful in properties where heat escapes at a high rate, such as older homes or those without insulation. In these homes, a heat pump may not be able to meet the heating needs on its own. This is because the heat they gather is often at a lower temperature compared to a gas boiler. So, a boiler can help to raise the temperature of the heat. But, as it’s working alongside a heat pump, you’ll still make savings on your heating bill and cut down on your carbon footprint.  

How do heat pumps save you money?

In the average detached home with four bedrooms, an ASHP could save you up to £1,300 per year depending on the heating system you’re replacing, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Similarly, you could save up to £1,090 in the same sized home with a GSHP (Energy Saving Trust). Here’s how:

They work at a lower temperature. ASHPs work at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system. This means they’re cheaper to run and they also reduce your carbon emissions. Fossil fuel boilers produce heat that’s about 65-70°c, whilst ASHPs pump out heat at around 40°c, according to The Heating Hub.

Find out if your boiler is efficient and whether you could save money with an alternative heating system.

They have a long lifespan. The Renewable Energy Hub found that heat pumps last for up to 50 years.

No more paying for fuel! With a heat pump, you don’t need any fuel deliveries because they run off natural heat.

How do heat pumps improve the quality of your home?

They improve the air quality. Heat pumps don’t burn anything to create heat, so no fumes are released into your home. Plus, they can remove dust and mould spores as they circulate air throughout your home.

They can reduce your carbon footprint. Heat pumps are renewable energy systems, so they don’t use fossil fuels. So, replacing an oil or gas boiler with a heat pump will reduce your carbon footprint.

They could make it more attractive to potential buyers. In the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2021, we found that 57% of UK residents want to be more eco-friendly in 2021. And, we also found that only 3% of homes currently have a heat pump. So, installing eco-friendly measures such as a heat pump could make your home look more attractive when it’s time to sell.

How much does it cost to install an air source or ground source heat pump?

According to research done for Rated People by TradesmenCosts.co.uk, an ASHP costs between £9,000 and £11,000 to install, whilst you can expect to pay about £14,000 to £19,000 to install a GSHP.

How to find ground source or air source heat pump engineers

Find an expert heat pump specialist near you, by posting your job on Rated People.

The post Everything you need to know about heat pumps appeared first on Rated People Blog.

By making eco-friendly improvements in your home, you could save upwards of £300 a year on your bills and help cut carbon emissions. Here are 8 of the top energy efficiency jobs that you could get done in your home, with the help of a local tradesperson.

Looking for a quicker way to start saving energy and money? Nathan from INHOUSE Plumbing and Heating shares actionable advice that you can implement yourself ahead of winter.

8 green home improvements

1. Energy-efficient doors

A draughty room is not only uncomfortable to sit in, but it can push your energy bills up as you’re likely to turn up the heating to feel more comfortable indoors. Energy-efficient doors offer great thermal insulation, keeping warm air in and preventing too much cold air from working its way inside.

Energy-efficient doors are compliant with the latest Part L building regulation, which contains strict requirements relating to the conservation of fuel and energy. So, you can be reassured that your door is expert approved. A local door fitter can help you find the best energy-efficient door for your home.

2. Solar thermal panels

As a renewable energy source, solar thermal energy is great for the environment. Solar thermal panels use a little bit of electricity to capture the sun’s energy and use it for solar water heating. They can provide around half of your hot water use, according to Simple Energy Advice.

In the UK, solar panels are becoming more popular amongst homeowners – there are now over 1 million ‘solar houses’ across the nation! You don’t need to have sunny weather all year round for solar panels to work. They still work on cloudy days, too. However, solar panels won’t work to the best of their ability when they’re obstructed by trees, so keep this in mind when you’re deciding where to put them.

Furthermore, solar panels that are tilted at 15° or more can be cleaned by rain, according to the Energy Saving Trust, which improves their performance.

Once installed by a vetted heating engineer, solar panels last at least 25 years, making them a great investment for energy efficiency.

3. Double and triple glazing

Double glazing is one of the UK’s most popular types of window, whilst triple glazing is also becoming more sought-after. Double glazed windows are made up of two panes of glass and triple glazed windows have three. Each pane of glass is separated by a gap of insulating air, which reduces the amount of heat that escapes from your house.

The key benefits for both styles are:

• Less heat loss – all new or replacement uPVC, timber or aluminium windows are required to have a minimum Window Energy Rating of ‘C’.
• Reduced noise pollution, as they’re more soundproof than single glazing.
• Increased home security – they’re thicker than single glazing, so are harder to break.

Double glazing or triple glazing?

Double glazing can be more effective in the areas of a house that are most exposed to the sun. So, it’s best to use triple glazing in the shadier areas of the house. Double glazing is cheaper to install yet triple glazing offers better savings on your heating bills over time, so you might be best off having a combination of both. A window fitter can advise you on this, as can our 2023 window replacement cost guide.

Request a quote today to get started.

4. Insulation

One third of all heat lost in homes goes through walls, and a quarter escapes through the roof. By installing insulation, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your heating bill.

Wall insulation

If you’re interested in wall insulation, then you’ll want to find out what type of walls you have. There are two types of wall:

• Cavity walls, made up of two walls with a gap between them (the cavity). These are usually found in houses built after the 1990s.
• Solid walls, which have no cavity. These are typically found in houses built before the 1920s.

Wall insulation only takes around two hours to install, and you should be able to make back the cost of installation in five years at most, through your annual energy bill savings.

Roof or loft insulation

Roof/loft insulation is effective for 40 years and can cut your carbon dioxide output by up to 1,000 kg a year. it can also save you up to £415 a year in energy bills by creating a barrier, stopping heat that rises from the lower levels of your house from escaping.

Insulation also improves your home’s energy performance rating, which has a positive effect on its value when it’s time to sell. A thermal insulation specialist will be able to fit the best type of insulation for your home and budget.

For more information on loft insulation, read our 2023 loft insulation cost guide.

5. Smart heating controls

Smart heating controls are an increasingly popular smart technology tool amongst UK homeowners. They allow you to control and customise your heating with just a tap of your smartphone, tablet or other device.

Smart heating controls can easily help you to improve comfortability in your home and cut down on your energy bill by:

• Allowing you to create, manage and adjust your heating schedule as often as you like.
• Alerting you if you leave home but have forgotten to turn the heating off, so that you can quickly turn it off using an app.
• Spotting trends in how you use your heating and creating an appropriate heating schedule to fit your needs.
• Reacting to the weather through a weather-response function. This means that your heating will automatically adjust when it’s hotter or colder than usual, without you having to lift a finger.
• Control your heating room by room using zoning – this means that you won’t waste energy on heating every single room in the house when you’re only using one or two.
• Working with other smart home technology that you may already have, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. This will allow you to control your heating using your voice, for example.

A gas/heating engineer can discuss the different smart heating control systems with you, fit the system that you choose in your home and help you to connect it to your smartphone.

6. Heat pumps

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs)

A source of renewable energy, ASHPs work by absorbing heat from the outside air to heat your home and water. ASHPs can still extract heat even when the temperature is as low as -15°c!

The most popular type of ASHP in the UK is the air-to-water heat pump. They work by absorbing heat from the outside air and transferring it to water. Then, the heat distributes around your home through your wet central heating system.

Air-to-water heat pumps work more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system, which not only lowers your carbon emissions, but also cuts your heating bill.

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs)

GSHPs extract heat from the ground through a ground loop (a loop of pipe) which is buried in your garden. Heat from the ground is absorbed into a mixture of water and antifreeze in the pipe, and then it goes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. This fluid then heats your radiators, hot water, underfloor, or warm air heating systems.

ASHPs and GSHPs need less maintenance than a gas or oil boiler, and no fuel deliveries are required as they’re a renewable energy source. They also work more efficiently by delivering heat at a lower temperature over a longer period of time. A gas/heating engineer can evaluate which option is best for your home.  

Find out more about how heat pumps can save you money in our blog post: Everything you need to know about heat pumps.

7. Draught proofing

The average home loses up to 20% of its heat loss through uncovered gaps in and around the house, according to the National Insulation Association. Some of these gaps go unspotted in our day-to-day lives – they can be found in and around pipework, loft hatches, skirting boards and even the cat flap, for example.

By having your home draught proofed, you can also stop noise, dirt and other materials that enter your home through those little gaps. A handyperson can spot and seal up any gaps to protect your home.

8. Thermostats and other heating controls

Zone controls

Zoned heating systems allow you to set and control the heating in different areas of your house. Each ‘zone’ is connected to the same boiler, but they each have their own thermostat.

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)

Found on the side of your radiator, TRVs control the temperature of different rooms in different ‘zones’ of your house, by adjusting the flow of water going into your radiator. When the room temperature changes, a capsule in the valve contracts or expands to adjust the temperature of the radiator to the change.

TRVs offer a simple solution to stopping individual rooms from overheating or going cold.

Delayed start thermostat

Many central heating systems have set times for when the heating comes on. However, on days that are warmer than others, having the heating automatically turn on anyway wastes energy and money, by increasing your heating costs. 

A delayed start thermostat automatically delays when the heating comes on if the room is already warm, reducing how long the heating is on during the day.

Hot water tank thermostats and insulation

Your hot water is kept in a hot water cylinder, which keeps it hot and ready for you to use. A thermostat allows you to set the temperature that you’d like your hot water to reach. Once the water reaches that temperature, the thermostat prevents it from exceeding it, as well as turning off the heat supply to stop energy being used unnecessarily.

Heat can be lost through an uninsulated hot water cylinder and the exposed pipes between the cylinder and boiler. Insulating your hot water cylinder is a quick way to save you upwards of £195 per year on your heating bill and cut up to 725kg off your carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

The post 8 ideas to make your home more energy efficient appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Last updated: 19^th April 2021

The Green Homes Grant was a voucher scheme aimed at helping over 600,000 homes in England become more energy-efficient and providing local jobs for tradespeople, as well as making progress on the UK’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target. The scheme provided eligible homeowners and residential landlords with a voucher worth up to £5,000, or £10,000 for low income households, to cover at least two thirds of the cost of labour, materials and VAT for specific Green Homes Grant work.

Applications to get a Green Homes Grant voucher closed at 5pm on 31^st March 2021. If you applied before the closing date, then your application will be processed and the Green Homes Grant team will be in touch to confirm if your application has been successful.

FAQs

Before the work starts in your home

• Will my Green Homes Grant application be successful?
• Do I have to pay a deposit?

Whilst the work’s being done in your home

• When can Green Homes Grant work start in my home?
• How long do I have to complete the Green Homes Grant work?
• What do I need to know about the work I’m getting done with my Green Homes Grant voucher?
• Which home improvements and services won’t be covered by my government green grant voucher?
• Can a tradesperson enter my home to install Green Homes Grant measures whilst the National Restrictions for coronavirus are in place?

After the work’s been done

• How does the tradesperson get paid?
• How do I redeem my Green Homes Grant voucher?
• What documents does the tradesperson need to give me once the work’s complete?

Other FAQs

• Can I use the government grant to claim money back for green upgrades have been completed in my home before the grant came into place?
• Can I complete Green Homes Grant work myself?
• Is there any support available for households in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?

Will my Green Homes Grant application be successful?

Your application may be successful if you submitted it by 31^st March 2021 and you’re one of the following:

• A homeowner in England, including long-leaseholders and shared ownership homeowners.
• A park home owners in England, for residential sites including Gypsy and Traveller sites.
• A landlord of a private or social rented sector domestic property (including LA owned homes) in England.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

The installer may ask you for a deposit. It can’t be larger than the amount they’d normally charge, or larger than your expected contribution to the cost of the work under the quote they’ve given you. If you’re applying as a low income household, then the installer can’t ask you for a deposit unless the cost of the work is over £10,000 (the government limit). If that’s the case, then the installer can only ask for a deposit on the amount that’s over £10,000.

When can Green Homes Grant work start in my home?

As soon as your Green Homes Grant application has been approved. You shouldn’t commit to starting any work until you have been successfully issued with a voucher.

How long do I have to complete Green Homes Grant work?

You must finish the work at least 7 days before your Green Homes Grant voucher expires. Vouchers usually expire 3 months from the date they’re issued.

What do I need to know about the work I’m getting done with my Green Homes Grant voucher?

You will need to install at least one of the two following primary measures using the grant:

1. Insulation, for:

• Solid walls (internal or external).
• Cavity walls.
• Under floor (solid floor or suspended floor).
• Loft.
• Flat roof.
• Pitched roof.
• Room in roof.
• Park home.

If you choose to install external solid wall insulation, then you must have all suitable space on the wall insulated. Similarly, if you choose to have internal solid wall insulation installed, you must insulate all external-facing space in the room.

If your home’s already partially insulated, then you can use the government green grant to insulate the rest. However, you can’t use the grant to remove or replace existing insulation.

2. Low carbon heat

• Air source heat pumps.
• Ground source heat pumps.
• Hybrid heat pumps.
• Solar thermal (liquid filled flat plates or evacuated tube collectors).
• Biomass boilers. 

If you opt for a low carbon heat measure, then it must be used for space heating and/or domestic hot water heating purposes. It can’t be used for process heating, outdoor heating or heating swimming pools, for example.

Any heat pump installed in your home must have a minimum Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) of 2.5. In addition, the heat pump element of any hybrid heat pump system must be able to provide the majority of the space heating demand for your home.

The government has stated that biomass boiler installations must:

• Have a valid emissions certificate for the make and model.
• Only use fuel that is authorised on the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) and that has been tested for on the specific biomass boiler’s emissions certificate, for the lifetime of the installation.
• Have a valid BSL fuel number for the intended fuel (which you’ll need to submit).
• Only be installed in rural areas.

To have a low carbon heat measure installed, you must:

1. Declare that you have planning permission, or that it isn’t required. Visit the Planning Portal website to find out how to get planning permission.
2. Service any low carbon energy measures installed in your home in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, for the lifetime of the installation.

There’s a minimum level of insulation recommended to have the low carbon heat measures installed. This is to ensure the proper design and operation of the relevant technology in line with specific standards. So, you may need to have some insulation installed in your home.

If you have a low carbon heat measure installed in your home through the Green Homes Grant scheme, then the grant will also cover the costs of:

• Pipework, pumps and valves, and fitting.
• Buffer tank and domestic hot water cylinders.
• Heating system controls.
• New underfloor heating.
• New high capacity radiators. 

If you already have one, or both, of the primary measures already installed in your home, then you can’t replace it using the Green Homes Grant. However, top ups are allowed, for example installing additional loft insulation up to the recommended level.

As long as you have one of the primary measures included in your Green Homes Grant package, then the government will give you the same amount towards the cost of one or more of the following secondary measures:

3. Windows and doors

• Draught proofing.
• Double/triple glazing, where replacing single glazing.
• Secondary glazing, in addition to single glazing.
• Upgrading to energy efficient doors, where replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002.

4. Heating controls and insulation

• Hot water tank thermostats.
• Hot water tank insulation.
• Heating controls such as appliance thermostats, smart heating controls, zone controls, intelligent delayed start thermostats or thermostatic radiator valves.

The grant also covers the following common items, when related to one or more of the primary or secondary measures:

• Professional services to ensure compliance with building standards, such as:
  • Detailed design drawings and calculations.
  • Damp specialist and structural engineer costs.
  • Modelling to evaluate moisture risk or to estimate payback.
  • Air tightness tests to check for excessive infiltration and ensure adequate controlled ventilation.
• Contractor costs, including labour, materials, scaffolding, waste removal and VAT costs.
• Reasonable work to support the retrofit:
  • Necessary structural improvements such as repairs to brickwork or floor joists.
  • Repairing and treating damp.
  • Resolving and eliminating excessive infiltration.
  • Repairing and improving controlled ventilation.

Secondary measures can only be subsidised up to the amount of subsidy provided for primary measures. So for example, if you receive a £1,000 voucher for primary measures, then you can only receive a maximum of £1,000 for your secondary measures. You’ll need to redeem your voucher for the primary measure(s) that you have installed before being able to redeem your voucher for your secondary measure(s).

Which home improvements and services won’t be covered by my government green grant voucher?

The following green home improvements are some examples of what’s not covered by the Green Homes Grant:

• Building a new extension or conversion.
• Installing a new fossil fuel boiler (e.g. gas or oil boilers).
• Insulation to outbuildings, conservatories without fixed heating, new extensions built to current building permissions or extensions without building permission, planning permission or fixed heating.
• New windows (unless it’s double or triple glazing to replace single glazing).

Also, the Green Homes Grant scheme can’t be used to replace an existing low carbon heating system in your home. Excluding solar thermal, any low carbon heat measure that you have installed must completely replace your current fossil fuel heating system. For the hybrid heat pump measure, this means that you’ll need to get a new fossil fuel element for your heating system – this won’t be covered by the grant.

You can’t use the grant for the following related services:

• Contractor costs for things such as training, asbestos removal and additional building insurance premiums or certification fees. 
• Professional services that aren’t linked to a retrofit, such as buying an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), building surveys and building design, modelling and calculations.
• Householder costs for furniture storage or removal or alternative accommodation costs during any disruption.
• Building work for:
  • Retrofit measures that aren’t identified in the list of eligible home improvements.
  • Changes to your home that aren’t linked to energy efficiency improvements, such as general repairs, underpinning, changing a window design or area, re-roofing, electricity or gas safety work and damp proofing.
  • Boiler replacements or repairs.
  • Decorations that aren’t linked to a retrofit.
• The cost of any advice that you get on the improvements which are best for your home.

Can a tradesperson enter my home to install Green Homes Grant measures whilst the National Restrictions for coronavirus are in place?

Yes. The government has confirmed that Green Homes Grant installers can continue to work inside homes whilst the national lockdown is in place. They must follow the COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

How does the tradesperson get paid?

Once you’ve been issued with a Green Homes Grant voucher, the work can begin! When it’s done, you’ll need to pay your share of the cost to the installer (if applicable). Then, you can redeem your voucher and the grant will be paid directly to the installer.

How do I redeem my Green Homes Grant voucher?

You need to have:

• Your reference number, that you recieved when you first applied for the Green Homes Grant.
• The postcode of the property where the Green Homes Grant work has been done.
• The email address that you used to apply.
• Your voucher number.
• The final cost of the work, including VAT as applicable.
• A digital copy of your dated invoice.

You’ll also need to confirm that:

• The installation was done satisfactorily.
• You’ve got the necessary certification documents from the installer used.
• You’ve paid your share to the installer, if applicable.

Then, you can redeem your voucher on Gov.uk.

What documents does the tradesperson need to give me once the work’s complete?

After the work’s done, your installer needs to give you:

• A dated copy of an invoice, which shows the supply and installation cost of their chosen measures, within 14 days of completing the work. You need to provide 1 invoice for each measure that you have installed in your home.
• Any relevant certification for energy efficiency improvement measures.
• Any claim of conformity or handover packs (as according to the relevant PAS).
• A guarantee document.
• An MCS certificate, MCS compliance certificate and the relevant manufacturer instructions, if you’ve had a low carbon heating measure installed.
• A Biomass Suppliers List, including instructions stating that all fuel used in the boiler must be bought from the BSL, if you’ve had a biomass fuelled low carbon heating system installed.

Can I use the government grant to claim money back for green upgrades have been completed in my home before the grant came into place?

No – the government recently confirmed that the Green Homes Grant can’t be used to pay for works carried out before the voucher is issued.

Can I complete Green Homes Grant work myself?

No. The government has stated that Green Homes Grant work can’t be completed by yourself, a member of your household or your immediate family.

Is there any support available for households in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?

The Green Homes Grant is only available in England, however there are other initiatives available for other areas in the UK:

• Northern Ireland: The Housing Executive
• Scotland: Energy Saving Trust
• Wales: The Nest Scheme

The post The government’s Green Homes Grant scheme: What homeowners with a voucher need to know appeared first on Rated People Blog.

A guide to what’s what in renovation and home design.

Our homes are constantly evolving to fit around family life, so to find out how UK homeowners are improving their homes in 2020, we analysed almost a million jobs posted on Rated People and spoke to homeowners and tradespeople up and down the country.

You can download the full Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2020 here.

From huge spikes in people wanting to make their homes more eco-friendly, to millennials being more likely than any other generation to tackle big DIY renovation jobs – if you’re looking for inspiration for a future project, or you’re just curious to see which design features attract and repel the most buyers, here are five things we think will be big in 2020.

Design and renovation trends 2020

1. Open plan is evolving

It seems more of us are starting to prefer the idea of having a separate lounge to our ‘hub of the home’ kitchen diners. Jobs that involve putting a wall back in, to create separate living spaces, are up 350% in 2020 compared to 2019.

So, whether it’s an adult-only zone to kick back and relax in when the kids have gone to bed, or it’s a stylish room that blocks out the mess of everyday life, 2020 could be the year when open plan starts to evolve.

The 15 design features most likely to put buyers off

The 15 home improvements that attract the most buyers

3. Millennials are getting stuck into renovation to get onto the property ladder

Millennials are planning the most and biggest renovation jobs in 2020 compared with all other age groups.

They’re also twice as likely as the average UK homeowner to tackle jobs themselves, like plastering, fitting a new kitchen, removing an internal wall and even building a driveway.

Compared with just 20 years ago, it now takes the average adult an extra eight years to be able to buy their first home.

So, one of the reasons for the renovation work could be that more millennials are finding cheaper properties in need of work to get onto the illusive property ladder – and rather than making do with woodchip wallpaper and questionable carpets, they’re getting stuck into DIY to create the home of their dreams.

4. More of us want to make our homes more eco-friendly

Awareness of climate change and the damage that’s being done to the environment is higher than ever in the UK. Many of us are already using less plastic, eating less meat, and recycling more, and now twice as many UK homeowners are planning to make their homes more eco-friendly in 2020 compared to 2019. And, with the Green Homes Grant announced in July 2020, that number looks set to soar.

It’s not just homeowners who are focussing more on eco-friendly improvements either – 48% of tradespeople plan to introduce changes at work to become more eco-friendly in 2020. Common changes include upgrading to electric vehicles, recycling waste more efficiently, reusing old materials more, and moving towards using more conventional non-power reliant tools and machinery.

5. Safety and security are front of mind when it comes to home improvements

When looking at the jobs posted on Rated People that have seen the biggest spikes in popularity in the last three years, safety and security appear to be increasingly important for UK homeowners, with three of the top ten being around protecting our homes.

Fire alarm installation is the job that’s seen the biggest spike in popularity – up by a massive 178%, CCTV installation isn’t far behind with a 134% increase, and the installation of security gates and bollards is just inside the top 10 with a 72% increase.

Other jobs in the top 15 are to do with decoration, including decorative ironmongery and metalwork which has seen a huge 174% surge, and bathroom design which has increased by 69%.

Surprisingly, pebble dashing has seen a 69% increase, as have pond and water features, with a 64% increase. Building flat pack furniture has also seen a spike in uptake, with an increase of 61% over the last three years.

Expert tips: how to create the most sellable home

By Love Chic Living

We’ve teamed up with award-winning interior designer, Jen Stanbrook at Love Chic Living to create a comprehensive list of tips on how to maximise your home’s value ahead of selling.

First up, here’s how to fix the design features most likely to put buyers off, and then how to add some of the home improvements that are most likely to attract buyers.

15 design features most likely to put buyers off

Easy fix solutions:

Rooms painted dark blue

If you’re worried about dark blue walls putting off potential buyers, but don’t want to lose the bold colour completely, you can lighten the space by repainting just one of the walls in a lighter colour, preferably the one you see first as you enter the room. If you won’t want to live with white, use a pale grey, but neutralise the space and your home should appeal to a wider audience.

Dark grey rooms

Give the illusion of a light, bright space by adding a colourful wall collage. Keep it cost-effective by rummaging through charity shops for an eclectic selection of frames and use postcards, prints and wrapping paper for savvy alternatives to expensive art.

No bath

It’s not that quick or easy to install a bath, but if you can, go for it. Otherwise, create a floor plan design showing how a bath can be fitted into the room, or go one step further and show photos of how it used to look when the bath was in place. Don’t forget to produce rough pricing for the work too. Creating the idea of a bath is the next best thing to actually reinstalling one.

Dark blue kitchen cupboards

Whilst it might be too expensive to replace dark blue kitchen cupboards and you might not fancy repainting them, you can make the whole room appear brighter and less overpowering by decluttering and removing everything but the kettle from the worksurfaces. Add a handful of accessories in natural materials, like a marble chopping board and large wooden fruit bowl and ensure the room is well lit to offset the darker cupboard shades.

Black taps / shower

As black fittings aren’t to everyone’s tastes, you can pick up a second-hand chrome tap for next to nothing – they’re easier to replace than you think and can be swapped over in a few minutes. If you’d prefer not to play around with plumbing, think about getting a plumber in to quote.

Painted floorboards

If you have painted floorboards and can’t afford to replace them with a new floor, then rugs are going to be your best friend. Choose a good quality neutral rug, but look in charity shops or through second-hand marketplaces for some great priced pieces.

Dark grey window frames

Soften a darker window frame on the interior of your home by using fresh, white blinds at the windows and brighten the windowsill with plants and indoor flowers. It’s a cheap way to give the illusion of a softer window frame on the inside of your home and helps a potential buyer see how the darker frame won’t affect the home interior.

Dark grey kitchen cupboard doors

As a potential buyer could be put off by dark grey kitchen cupboards, show them how vibrant and lively the space can be by adding plants. The injection of greenery will change the atmosphere and overall appearance of any room where dark colours have been used. It’s inexpensive and whether you go for faux or real, use a variety of sizes and styles to draw the buyer’s eye away from the feature that puts them off.

Original sash windows

Although original sash windows can look beautiful, some buyers may be put off by potential drafts and the cost of maintenance in the future. Your best bet is to ensure your windows are in great condition to show they aren’t going to incur any immediate costs. Give them a fresh lick of paint and make sure they are all in good working order too – reassuring your buyers that old features make your home more desirable can help you seal the deal.

Wooden double glazing

If you have wooden double glazing, potential buyers can worry about upkeep and costs. If you can produce evidence, possibly receipts that show when they were originally installed and when the wood was last treated, you can make them more confident that this feature of your home won’t end up costing them money.

Patterned floor tiles

Not all buyers will appreciate the decorative appeal of patterned floor tiles, so play down their appearance. You can tone down the pattern by adding plain cotton rugs in light, fresh colours. Remove other clashing patterns from the rest of the room too, so the overall effect is one of calm and neutral decorating.

Tiled floor in living spaces

Potential buyers are often concerned about warmth and comfort in a potential new home, and a tiled floor in a living room can be off putting. Put their minds at ease by turning the heating on before the viewing and add some cosy and fluffy carpet in some areas – rugs or offcuts will work wonders.

Copper taps on kitchen sink

Copper accessories are very popular in home interiors at the moment, even though they might not be to everyone’s tastes. To make this look more appealing, coordinate with other copper pieces like a vase, utensil holder or even a copper kettle and toaster. Rather than change these items, style your home to make them more integrated in the overall space and give the buyer the vision of how great they can look.

White metro tiles in bathroom with dark grouting

Dark grouting can potentially look unhygienic to some, so whilst a homeowner can feel that it looks stylish and on trend, others can be put off by it. They can also feel that changing it will cost a lot of money, when in fact it’s an inexpensive and relatively quick job to update the grouting with a more standard white colour. Many people can do this themselves, making it a cheap way to attract more buyers.

Open plan layout

An open plan layout was a huge trend a few years ago, but many people love the idea of separate rooms to give them more living options. If you do have an open plan layout, work hard with your styling and positioning of furniture to create defined zones and areas. Use plants, bookcases and screens to ‘hide’ one area from another and give the illusion of different rooms; buyers will feel less intimidated by the one large room.

Top 15 home improvements that attract the most buyers

How to replicate easily and on a budget

Downstairs toilet

The downstairs toilet is every family’s dream, particularly if they have younger children, so keep those potential buyers happy by showing them you value their needs. If you can install a toilet in a downstairs cupboard, under the stairs for example, it’s well worth the investment. It will cost around £2k but add about 5% to the value of your property. Costs can be saved if you buy units like a 2 in 1 sink and toilet combination – they’re great space savers as well as recycling water.

Built-in storage

Storage is key in any home and buyers love to invest in a property which can accommodate them and their belongings easily. If you have space to create some built-in storage, it’s worth doing. Think about where you can add the most impactful storage – perhaps adding a window seat with in-built storage. Ask a carpenter to build some cupboard storage in living room alcoves, or create hallway storage for shoes and coats. The more thoughtful storage areas you can include the better.

UPVC double glazing

Whilst it’s not always cheap to replace windows and install UPVC double glazing, brand new windows can really help to attract more buyers. One cost-effective way to achieve this is to upgrade the windows at the front of your home only. Another solution if you want to ensure your heating bills are reduced, is to install window film to single glazed windows at around £40 per kit to create a quick fix double-glazed effect.

Separate shower cubicle

Not all homes have the space for a separate shower cubicle, so make the most of the shower area that you do have. Replace the shower curtain with a stylish shower screen, install a new, larger shower head and invest in neat and clever storage. Making your existing shower look more impressive, clean and bright will really impress a potential buyer and detract from the lack of a separate cubicle.

Lawned garden

Buyers with children love a lawned garden and whilst it can be an extra expense to completely lay a new lawn, there are some great ways to achieve a similar result without spending a fortune. If you have a patio garden, section up the space and layer over artificial grass. If you have a larger space, and you’d prefer the real thing, add ready to lay turf in small sections rather than the whole lot. This is a more affordable way to inject instant colour and softness which buyers will love.

Separate living spaces

Not every buyer loves an open plan space, so if your home is designed in this way, it’s a good idea to create the illusion of separate rooms so they feel they have a choice. If you’ve removed doors in the past between two rooms, put them back. If you have a large open plan room, it’s a good idea to section it up and create privacy with screens. Large room dividers can also double up as storage and display units which is another box ticked!

Security system

There are many products on the market that help secure your home if you don’t want the expense of a fully fitted home alarm system. You can create a more secure home by installing individual lights and cameras which send alerts to your phone at a fraction of the cost of an official house alarm. The additional technology may also impress your potential buyers and give you an edge against other homes for sale.

Paved patio

Whilst many potential buyers love the idea of a paved patio, there’s a great alternative to the more expensive patio tiles. Create an area outside the back door where you can place a large and colourful outdoor rug. They are some great examples available now and are a very cost-effective way to design an outdoor eating and relaxation area, that a new buyer will love.

Outdoor lights

There is a huge range of great value, and stylish, solar powered outdoor lights which can be fitted anywhere in the garden. Adding sensor-controlled wall lights is a great security feature, and decorative garden lights come in all shapes and sizes and really bring the outdoor space to life. There’s not always a need for more costly hard-wired lighting when solar lighting offers so much versatility and choice.

Underfloor heating

Giving an impression of underfloor heating will help buyers feel more comfortable with the cooler parts of your home. If you have cold tiles for example, you could cover them with stylish, yet budget friendly vinyl flooring, either tiles or on a roll. It’s much warmer underfoot than cold tiles, is durable and is available in some great colourways and patterns.

Marble work surface in kitchen

There are several ways to recreate the look of marble worktops – the most obvious is choosing a marble effect worktop like Corian from high street retailers. Marble laminate is also a good option, but if you’re hankering after the real thing, there are so many places to get hold of second-hand options. From specialist yards to individual lots being sold on second-hand sites – see what’s out there before and speak to different kitchen specialists before making a decision about which to go for.

Kitchen island

A kitchen island provides a great area to congregate with the family or dinner guests, but not every kitchen has the space to accommodate one. Be clever and creative by giving the illusion of an island with a portable shelving and worktop unit like a butcher’s block. There are many available in different styles and sizes; they can be moved to the side of the room when not in use but provide extra storage and worktop space when required.

Bi-fold doors to the garden

Installing a set of bifold doors in our homes isn’t always practical or cheap, but by making the most of the windows and doors you already have, you can achieve a similar look. Ensure they’re clean and bright, use blinds not curtains for clean lines, and if possible, consider replacing a window with French windows – although these aren’t quite the same as full bifolds, buyers will love the feeling of bringing the outdoors in.

Decking

If you don’t want to install a large timber decking, you can keep costs down by using either PVC or composite decking alternatives. Creating just a small area of decking outside the backdoor and styling it to show buyers how they can relax and entertain in their gardens, is well worth the investment and the time without needing to go the whole hog of a full deck.

White window frames

If you have white window frames, ensure they are clean and fresh – enticing the buyer from the first impression of your home is key. If the frames are tired and worn, you can revitalise them yourself, removing all old, peeling paint and giving them a fresh lick of new paint. It’s an inexpensive way to really brighten the outside of your home.

If you’re looking to sell your home in 2020, or just curious about ways to update the design – we can help you find local builders and tradespeople.

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