How to make your home more energy efficient.

Making your home more energy efficient can help you to reduce energy bills, use less power and stay warm in winter. You can make some changes easily, without spending much money. And there are some things you’ll need to plan, but they can help to save you more money in the long run.

If you own your home, making energy improvements and carrying out maintenance can also help to protect your property. And could help you to avoid making a claim on your home insurance.

Here, we highlight some easy ways you can save energy at home. From practical tips to home insulation, smart heating and energy-efficient lighting.

Good home insulation stops heat escaping. It keeps your home warmer for longer and reduces the amount of heating you need. Even small improvements can make a difference.

A lot of heat escapes through the roof. Adding insulation to your loft is one of the most effective ways to save money on heating this winter. If you already have insulation, check if it’s still thick enough or needs topping up.

Older homes often have solid walls, which can lose heat quickly. Insulating these walls, or adding cavity wall insulation in newer homes, can help keep rooms warm with less energy.

Gaps in wooden floors can let cold air in. Simple steps such as sealing cracks or using thick rugs can help cut down heat loss.

Good insulation helps protect your home from damp and cold-related issues. If you’re improving or renovating, it might help to review your home insurance to make sure your home is fully covered.

Bear in mind, if you’re planning building work or renovations, you need to tell your insurer about it. You can learn more in our guide - Home insurance during renovations - what to tell your insurer.

Insulating your loft, walls and floors helps your home stay warm and cut heat loss. These changes reduce your energy use and could help to lower heating bills.

Draughts are one of the main causes of heat loss. Blocking them is quick and low cost.

Use weather strips, brushes or sealant to block cold air coming in. Check both the inside and outside of window frames.

Small gaps can make rooms feel colder. Simple filler or sealant often works well.

If you don’t use your chimney, a draught excluder can help. A draught-proof letterbox also stops warm air escaping.

Draught proofing is a low-cost way to reduce heat loss. It keeps rooms warmer without turning up the heating.

Smart-heating systems let you control your heating more easily. They help you warm only the rooms you need, only when you need them.

These devices learn your daily routine and adjust your heating automatically. You can also control them from your phone. This can help you to save energy at home and avoid wasting heat.

Smart radiator valves let you heat rooms separately. For example, you can heat your living room in the evening without heating the whole house.

An efficient boiler uses less energy. And if your boiler breaks down, it can leave your home uncomfortably cold.

It’s important to get your boiler serviced regularly, to make sure it’s safe and running efficiently.

You can learn more about maintaining your boiler in our guide - Boiler care and maintenance tips.

What if your boiler breaks down?

According to Checkatrade.com*, the average cost of an emergency boiler repair is £450. And a new boiler can cost between £1,500 to £10,000, plus installation costs, depending on the type you go for.

If you have Tesco Home Insurance, you can add Home Emergency Cover your policy for an additional cost. It offers 24-hour support for boiler breakdowns and other emergency repairs. And you’ll get a discount with your Clubcard.

Smart-heating tools help you to control your heating better and cut energy waste. They can also help to reduce your bills and keep your home comfortable.

Switching to energy-efficient lighting and appliances helps you to use less electricity.

LED lights use far less energy than old-style bulbs. They last longer too. Replacing bulbs is one of the quickest ways to improve home energy efficiency.

When replacing fridges, washing machines or other household items, check their energy rating. Higher-rated appliances use less electricity, which can lower bills over time.

If you’re buying new appliances, tech or gadgets, it’s a good idea to check your contents cover. Tesco Contents Insurance can help with the cost of repairing or replacing the things you own if they’re stolen or damaged.

These help you switch devices off fully, rather than leaving them on standby.

LED bulbs, efficient appliances and smart plugs are simple upgrades. They can help to reduce the amount of electricity you use without much effort.

Small everyday habits can make a big difference when you add them together. From using appliances efficiently to caring for your heating.

Help reduce your energy use and save money with these practical tips.

Spending less time in the shower can help to stop a queue forming at the bathroom door - and save you money. Ideal shower time: 4 minutes. And if you like a soak in the bath, try taking a shower instead!

Take your TV and electrical appliances off standby mode and switch them off when not in use. Especially when going to bed at night.

Remember to turn off the light when you leave a room. And only turn it on if you’re using it.

Bleed your radiators to help your heating work more efficiently. Radiators can’t heat a room properly if there’s trapped air in them.

Thick curtains work best. This helps to keep heat inside.

Fixing small problems early - such as leaks, damp or broken seals - helps stop heat loss.

It’s also important to keep your property well maintained. Tesco Home Insurance, like most standard policies, won’t cover you for gradual wear and tear or poor maintenance.

To learn more about what is and isn’t covered by your home insurance, see our guide - What’s not covered by your home insurance?

These simple steps can help you to create a more energy-efficient home, reduce energy bills and stay warm throughout the winter.

You can choose from the following options with Tesco Home Insurance. And you’ll save money with your Clubcard.

We're a Which? Recommended Provider for Home Insurance. Highly rated for affordability. With 5 stars for customer service.

Tesco Home Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.

You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.

*Checkatrade - Boiler repair costs in 2025 and How much does a new boiler cost in 2025?