Houses consume 30% of the UK’s total energy and produce 27% of the country’s carbon emissions. Taking steps now to reduce the amount of energy generated from fossil fuels used in your home will help to reduce the threat of serious climate change. It can also make your home more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run – and increase its value as an asset.

A typical 1960s house emits 5 tonnes of CO2 per year. Typically 44% of the energy use is for space heating, 25% for water heating, 25% for lights and appliances and 6% for cooking. By contrast, a typical Victorian house emits 8 tonnes of CO2 in a year, with energy use for space heating as high as 63%. 

There are many things you can do to reduce your domestic carbon footprint, and many advantages. The benefits of energy-saving refurbishment include:

• It makes it easier to maintain a comfortable internal temperature

• It means less energy is needed to warm the house

• Using less energy means lower bills

• It avoids overheating in summer

• It eliminates draughts

• It uses controlled ventilation to avoid smells and condensation

• It reduces unwanted noise from outside

• It improves your home’s EPC rating

If you are buying, selling or renting out a property, you now need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which details the building’s energy use and
CO2 emissions. There is growing evidence that a favourable EPC increases a property’s market value.