Buying a home can feel like a whirlwind – especially when you’re trying to weigh up costs, comfort and whether the place holds up in winter. With energy bills what they are now, and everyone talking about greener living, energy efficiency has never mattered more to new homeowners.
So, before you put in that offer, there are a few house energy saving tips that could make a real difference – not just to your monthly outgoings, but to how warm and efficient your home feels day to day.
This guide breaks down five easy-to-spot features that might help you avoid some costly surprises and feel more confident while viewing properties.
1. Understand Home Energy Ratings
It’s easy to get caught up in the layout or location of a property, but energy-conscious homebuyers often look straight at the EPC. This short, colour-coded document gives you a clear view of how energy-efficient the home actually is – and, for many, it’s a bit of a dealbreaker.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating runs from A to G, where A means ultra-efficient and G usually signals costly energy waste. Most homes in the UK sit somewhere between C and D, though newer builds might edge closer to B.
For EPC rating homebuyers, a higher grade often means lower energy bills and better insulation, which can save money year after year. It might even affect your resale value or mortgage options in future.
Here’s what an EPC typically takes into account:
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- Wall and loft insulation
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- Boiler age and efficiency
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- Type and condition of windows
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- Heating systems and controls
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- Lighting types (e.g. LED vs halogen)
So, while it might seem like a formality, the EPC is one of the quickest ways to spot potential red flags – or find homes that are already ahead of the game for energy efficiency.
2. Inspect Insulation and Windows
Some homes look great on the surface, but behind the paintwork, poor insulation can leave you cold, literally. Insulation is one of the biggest factors in how much heat a property keeps in, and how hard your heating system has to work just to keep things comfortable.
Start with the walls. Most homes built after the 1920s have a gap between external walls that can be filled with insulating material – this is known as cavity wall insulation, and it makes a huge difference to how much heat stays indoors. Older homes without it might feel noticeably draughtier or harder to heat.
Loft insulation is another one to look for. It’s not always visible at a glance, so ask questions during viewings – especially in older properties. A poorly insulated loft can let a lot of warmth slip away.
And then there’s the windows. Double glazing should be standard in most homes now, but triple glazing takes things a step further. You can often spot it by the thickness of the units or just how quiet and warm the room feels.
All in all, proper insulation is one of the most overlooked house energy saving tips – but it’s a big one.
3. Evaluate Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and ventilation systems can tell you a lot about how a home performs day to day. Older boilers, patchy radiators or that strange musty smell in the corners – they’re all signs worth paying attention to.
Gas boilers are still common in the UK, but their age and type can make a big difference to both efficiency and running costs. A newer combi boiler, for instance, heats water on demand and often runs more efficiently than older systems that rely on hot water tanks.
Then there’s airflow. Good ventilation isn’t just about comfort – it helps stop damp, condensation and mould in their tracks. One modern solution that’s worth knowing about is the PIV unit (short for Positive Input Ventilation). These units gently push filtered air into the home, improving air quality and reducing excess moisture, especially useful in homes prone to damp.
Radiators, too, should be evenly placed and warm up at the same time. If one room’s freezing while another is roasting, something’s likely off with the system.
For new buyers, getting your head around heating might not sound exciting, but it’s one of those energy-efficient home upgrades that can make everyday life easier and cheaper.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Appliances
It’s easy to get swept up in kitchen size or fancy finishes, but it’s the white goods that tend to sneak onto your electricity bill without much warning. Energy saving appliances might not look any different on the outside, but they often use far less power to get the same job done.
Fridges, freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers usually run the most, and older models can be seriously inefficient. Look out for energy labels (A to G, or A+++ if you’re seeing the older scale), and try to stick to A or B-rated appliances at minimum.
Here’s a quick look at the top five to check when viewing:
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- Fridge-freezer (always on)
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- Washing machine
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- Dishwasher
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- Tumble dryer
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- Electric oven
And don’t forget the thermostat. Many modern homes now include smart thermostats (like Hive or Nest), which can be controlled by an app and adjusted by room or schedule. If you’re searching for smart thermostats UK, these are the brands you’ll usually see – and they’re often a great sign that the seller’s already taken energy use seriously.
5. Ask About Smart Home Features
Homes with smart features aren’t just trendy – they can actually save you money. Smart thermostats, lights, plugs and meters give you way more control over how and when your home uses energy. That means fewer surprises on your bills, and a heating schedule that works with your life, not against it.
For example, with smart thermostats, UK homebuyers are often drawn to models that track usage, adjust room-by-room, and can be controlled remotely via your phone. They’re especially handy in winter, when heating costs can spike without you even noticing.
If you spot a home with these features already installed, it’s a sign the current owner has invested in energy-efficient home upgrades – and that could mean fewer improvements for you to worry about down the line.