Save your tenants thousands with simple inexpensive solutions
Energy costs are a major concern for landlords and tenants. If you can save on energy consumption and make your tenants’ homes more comfortable, you are less likely to have rent arrears and you will keep your tenants in the home longer.
High UK electricity prices
According to research by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), UK industrial electricity prices are around 26p/kWh, plus most installations have a daily standing charge of 50p. It means the UK has the highest electricity cost of the 28 countries covered by the IEA report. UK prices are some four times those in the US, 2.6 times those of Korea and 46% higher than the IEA median.
However, gas prices are much more competitive at below the IEA median for those of France and Germany. So, it cannot be gas prices that are driving UK electricity prices so much higher than elsewhere. Canada, Norway, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and Portugal all have industrial electricity prices less than 10p/kWh.
Even so, the Government is pressing ahead with heat pumps which, although more environmentally friendly at the user end, consume much more electricity. Just announced, Gas boilers are to be banned in new homes from as soon as next year as the Government pushes ahead with radical reforms for housebuilders.
Annual energy bills in the UK have surged by more than £100 for a typical household since the latest energy price cap came into effect in April - climbing from £1,738 to £1,849 per year. In fact, nearly three-quarters (73%) of people in Britain say they now struggling with energy costs more than last year.
This is a concern for landlords as well as tenants. If tenants are struggling to pay their bills, rent payments are bound to suffer. It’s in all landlords’ interest to keep costs down and make life more comfortable for their tenants, to maximise affordability and avoid rent arrears and keep your tenants settled in the property.
Landlords don't have to break the bank to keep rental homes cool in summer and warm in winter. By making just a few smart, low-cost upgrades, you can save tenants £100s. Here are five expert-recommended, budget-friendly solutions from housing products suppliers Hillarys that are easy to implement and won’t cost a fortune.
These are relatively inexpensive upgrades that can save you £100s this summer, Hillary’s experts suggest:
When the weather heats up, it’s natural that people shower more often. Traditional shower heads use 12-15 litres of water per minute, adding up to a staggering 30,000 litres a year for a family of four - roughly the volume of a small swimming pool. Upgrading to a low-flow shower head could save the average household £60 - £100 a year on water bills, along with an additional £50 - £80 on energy costs by using less hot water.
Tip: Before you buy a new shower head, check if a water-saving model will benefit you. Take a measuring jug, unscrew your existing shower head, and place the end of the hose into the jug. Let the water flow for one minute, then measure how many litres of water flows out. If you flow more than 9 litres of water in 60 seconds, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.
Blackout lining on curtains or Roman blinds does more than just block out light, it acts as a thermal barrier, helping to regulate the temperature inside the home. In warmer weather, it reflects heat away while trapping cool air indoors, reducing the need for fans or air conditioning. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and any space where there is direct sunlight and where comfort matters most.
While most homeowners focus on sealing windows and doors to prevent heat loss, often overlooked areas like letterboxes, pet flaps and loft hatches can contribute to heat escape.
Drafts in a home have a significant impact on heating efficiency and therefore costs, increased energy consumption and higher bills. Drafts allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter rooms, forcing the heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Even small gaps and cracks around windows and doors can allow cool air to leak out and warm air to creep in, making it hard to regulate your home’s temperature. Sealing these gaps with draught-proofing tape or sealant is a low-cost solution to improve a home's energy efficiency, reducing reliance on heating or cooling systems.
Tip: Use an incense stick or candle near suspected gaps and observe if the smoke flickers, indicating an airflow leak.
Leaving common area lights on all night in rented shared spaces within a building or property that are accessible to multiple residents, such as stairwells, hallways, lobbies, and communal gardens, outdoor and lights might feel like a safety net, but it’s also a continuous energy drain. Switch to motion-sensor LED lights or solar-powered versions that charge in the sun and cost nothing to run. They offer both security and convenience while using far less energy.
Tip: Replace all light bulbs with low energy LEDs.
Your roof can absorb huge amounts of solar heat, especially on older homes with dark or traditional roofing. Applying a light-coloured or reflective cool roof coating reflects sunlight and can slash attic and top-floor temperatures by up to 15°C. This means less reliance on fans or air conditioning, translating to lower electricity bills.
Tip: Focus on converted lofts or top-floor flats, where the heat exposure is highest. Reflective roof paint is UV-resistant and weatherproof, making it a long-lasting investment.
A quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Insulating the loft, attic or flat roof space is perhaps the most effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce heating bills. Rolls of loft insulating material are relatively inexpensive from all local suppliers such as B&Q or Screwfix and can be installed by any competent DIYer.
If access is easy and the loft joists are regular, use rolls of mineral wool insulation. The first layer is laid between the joists – the horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft – then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth, ideally 270mm.
Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40+year lifespan.
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys comments on the current state of home energy efficiency in the UK:
“Many people are surprised to learn just how much heat enters or escapes the home through windows, especially if they're left bare or fitted with the wrong coverings. In fact, fewer than half of Brits (42%) believe their home is energy efficient, and a striking 74% admit they struggle to tell how much energy they’re wasting.
“With the UK home to some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, it’s no surprise that more homeowners are searching for ways to boost energy efficiency and cut costs. Fortunately, a few simple, clever tweaks can improve your indoor climate - while quietly trimming down your bills.
“Whether you rent or own, there are always affordable ways to take control of your space, reduce your bills, and stay comfortable every season. Something as simple as switching up your window dressings doesn't just make your home more efficient - it makes it a better place to live all year round.”
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