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Save energy at home

Energy saving home improvements

Improve your home's energy efficiency

Saving energy isn't just about making small changes to reduce your energy bills. Bigger changes to your home could help you use or waste less energy and save you money in the long run.

 

Reduce heat loss in your home

Double glazing

Upgrading windows and doors could improve your home's energy efficiency and help reduce noise too.

Energy-efficient glazing covers both double and triple glazing, but you could also look at secondary glazing or thicker curtains to help prevent heat escaping from older windows.

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Draught-proofing

Heat escaping through cracks, gaps and holes in your windows, doors or even a chimney could be cooling your home while you’re also spending money to heat it up.

Simple DIY measures, like applying sealant round old window frames or doors could help reduce draughts. Or you could get the help of a professional and benefit from their draught-proofing know-how.

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Energy saving home improvement guides

Insulate your home

You could be wasting a lot of heat and money if your home is poorly insulated. So, spending some money up front could lead to lower energy bills and a home that’s greener too.

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Plug in the power of solar

Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. They could help reduce your electricity bills and add to the value of your home.

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What is a heat pump?

Heat pumps are a low-carbon alternative to traditional boilers. They're highly efficient and kinder to the planet. Learn more about how they work.

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Condensing boiler

Heat your home more efficiently

Heating and hot water account for the lion’s share of energy use in a typical home – so make sure your boiler is as efficient as possible. Water tanks and pipes can also lose heat quickly, so insulating them will help keep them hotter for longer and improve the efficiency of your heating.

Replacing an old boiler

Replacing your boiler with an energy-efficent one can be an expensive option, but the longer-term benefit could mean cutting your energy bills. The most efficient type of gas boiler is a condensing boiler, which is able to retain and recover more of the heat it uses.

However, fossil fuel heating systems are likely to be phased out over time as part of the UK Government’s plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. So, if you have the budget and space, it might be an option to consider a heat pump instead.

More questions about boilers

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Looking for ways to live more sustainably?

Take a look at the everyday habits you could adopt to reduce the carbon in your life by reducing, reusing and recycling more. 

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Your feedback helps us to better understand what we're doing well and where we could improve.

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Thank you

Your feedback helps us to better understand what we're doing well and where we could improve.

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Looking for more ideas?

Buying a home with a valid EPC rating of A or B?

If you are, you could be eligible for our Green Mortgage which rewards you for buying an energy efficient home.

Ulster Bank mortgages are provided by NatWest.

NatWest Green Mortgages are available to over 18s purchasing or remortgaging a home with a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B. Product fees may apply. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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Related articles

How does is an EPC certificate work?

What are the benefits of a home retrofit?

Borrowing options for energy saving home improvements

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