Low Carbon Hub, an independent organisation, has made a free leaflet, "Low-cost, no-cost energy saving measures", available to download. The page carrying it is dated November 2023 in its URL1. The organisation says hard copies can be sent to community groups such as kids clubs and food larders on request1.
The leaflet separates measures into no-cost and low-cost categories. On heat loss, it states that about 10% of heat escapes through windows in a typical house and an additional 15% is lost to draughts1. Suggested low-cost items include a hot water tank insulating jacket at around £22, manual thermostatic radiator valves starting at around £10, and draught-proofing tape, door brushes, temporary window film, thermal curtains, radiator foil and chimney balloons1. On lofts, it says 270 to 300mm of insulation is recommended on the floor of the loft if it is not boarded1.
On electricity, the leaflet cites Energy Saving Trust figures that between 9% and 16% of total electricity consumed in homes powers appliances in standby mode1. It also states that turning a thermostat down by 1°C can save up to 10% on bills, and that installing a weather compensator on a gas boiler can improve its energy efficiency by 10-15%1.
"Download our free leaflet 'Low-cost, no-cost energy saving measures'"
The leaflet warns against blocking boiler flues, air bricks or window trickle vents, and against over-draughtproofing windows in kitchens and bathrooms where moist air needs to escape, because of damp and mould1. On heating unoccupied rooms, it says to keep rooms warm enough, at least 5°C, to avoid pipes freezing or damp and mould developing1. On health, it cites a World Health Organisation recommendation of 18°C for healthy individuals, and says that where people have health issues, are elderly, or are young children, occupied rooms should be heated to at least 20°C1.
| Measure | Figure given |
|---|---|
| Heat lost through windows, typical house | About 10% |
| Heat lost to draughts | An additional 15% |
| Recommended loft insulation depth | 270 to 300mm |
| Electricity used by appliances on standby | 9% to 16% |
| Saving from turning thermostat down 1°C | Up to 10% on bills |
| Efficiency gain from a gas boiler weather compensator | 10% to 15% |
| Minimum temperature for unoccupied rooms | At least 5°C |
| WHO recommended room temperature | 18°C |
Why it matters for households
Most of the measures described cost nothing and depend on how a home is run rather than on equipment: moving furniture away from radiators, shutting internal doors, drawing curtains at dusk, switching appliances off at the plug, running washing machines at 30°C, boiling only the water needed, and turning the heating off in unused rooms1. For a household trying to cut bills without capital spending, these are the levers available immediately. The paid measures listed are modest in cost, with the leaflet giving £22 for a tank jacket and around £10 for a manual thermostatic radiator valve1. Larger measures such as loft, cavity wall, underfloor, internal or external wall insulation and glazing upgrades are named but no prices are given1. The leaflet points to funding checks through Better Housing Better Health and to Low Carbon Oxford North's Housewarming Guides, and says there may be funding to support heat pump or solar panel installation, without setting out amounts or eligibility1.
What happens next
No dated next steps are given. The page offers a monthly Home Energy Newsletter and invites requests for hard copies for community groups1.
Sources1 cited
- Low-cost, no-cost energy saving - Low Carbon Hub, lowcarbonhub.org