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Keeping energy
simple...

Making sense of energy options can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help make it simple. Our expert advice helps households and businesses cut through the jargon, reduce energy bills and make informed choices.
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From understanding financial support to cutting energy waste, we provide everything you need to take control of your energy future... without the jargon! just clear, independent guidance.

Starting with your essential guide to solar energy: how it works, costs, savings, and what to look for when making the switch.
Free solar energy guide

Curious about how solar energy works or eager for an in-depth understanding?

Our comprehensive Solar Energy Guide is here to help you make informed decisions every step of the way. Whether you are just beginning to explore solar power or ready to dive into the details, this guide covers everything you need to know... and probably a few you didn’t.
What’s Inside?
  • A Quick Start Guide to help you take your first steps in solar energy
  • Detailed insights for those looking to switch and maximise energy savings
  • Straightforward information in an easy to read format, covering everything you need to make the best decision for your home or business
Download your guide now and discover how solar energy can benefit you.
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Financial Support to Switch

Switching to solar or improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to break the bank. There are various financial support schemes available to help households and businesses make the transition to cleaner, cheaper energy.
Government Backed Incentives
  • Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): If you generate excess electricity from your solar panels, you can sell it back to the grid. Tariffs vary by provider but typically range from 5p to 15p per kWh. Over a year, this could generate savings of up to £400, depending on system size and usage.
  • ECO4 Scheme: This government-backed initiative provides funding to low-income households for energy efficiency improvements, including insulation and heating upgrades.
  • VAT Reduction on Solar & Battery Storage: The VAT on solar panels and battery storage is 0% until 2027, saving homeowners an average of £1,000 on installation.
Financing Options
  • Solar Loans & Green Energy Finance: Some lenders offer low interest loans for renewable energy projects, making it easier to spread the cost.
  • Interest-Free Energy Efficiency Loans (Scotland & Wales): These schemes help businesses and households invest in renewables without upfront costs.
Return on Investment (ROI) for Solar Panels
  • A standard 4kW solar PV system costs around £6,500 to install but can save £450-£750 per year on electricity bills.
  • With SEG payments included, homeowners can expect to recoup their investment within 7-10 years. Given that solar panels last 25+ years, that’s at least 15 years of free electricity.
  • If paired with a battery storage system, self-consumption can increase from 30% to 80%, reducing reliance on the grid even further. A full solar and battery system aims to reduce your yearly usage by 96% and in some cases 100%+

Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to reducing energy use and cutting costs. Here are some easy ways to lower your bills without sacrificing comfort.
Heating & Hot Water (Biggest Energy Costs in UK Homes)
  • Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can cut heating bills by 10%, saving the average household around £150 per year.
  • A modern A-rated boiler is 30% more efficient than an old G-rated model, saving £300+ per year on gas bills.
  • Installing a smart thermostat can reduce heating costs by up to 20%, saving £180 per year.
Appliances & Electronics
  • Switching to LED light bulbs can save up to £65 per year on electricity.
  • An A+++ rated washing machine uses 50% less energy than a lower-rated model, cutting costs by £35 per year.
  • Turning off appliances at the socket instead of leaving them on standby saves the average UK household £55 per year.
Insulation & Draught-Proofing
  • Loft insulation can cut heat loss by 25%, reducing bills by £350 per year.
  • Draught-proofing doors and windows costs around £200 but saves £125 per year, meaning it pays for itself in under two years.

Final Thought

Making your home energy efficient doesn’t have to be complicated... or expensive. With the right financial support and a few smart changes, you could cut your energy use and save hundreds, even thousands of pounds every year!

It’s all about taking small steps that add up to big savings... and we are here to help you make it happen.

Making Your Business More Energy Efficient

Cutting energy waste isn’t just good for the environment... it’s also a smart financial move. Businesses that implement energy efficiency measures can reduce costs, improve sustainability, and even attract more customers.
The Cost of Energy Waste in UK Businesses
  • The average UK small business spends £3,061 per year on electricity and £2,430 per year on gas.
  • Up to 30% of this energy is wasted, meaning a business could save £1,600 per year with better efficiency.
Energy Saving Strategies for Businesses
Lighting & Equipment Upgrades
  • Switching to LED lighting can reduce electricity costs by up to 80%, saving £1,200 per year in a medium sized office.
  • Installing motion sensors in meeting rooms and corridors can cut lighting costs by 30%.
Switching to Renewable Energy
  • Installing solar panels on business premises can cut electricity bills by 50% or more, depending on energy usage.
  • Investing in battery storage means businesses can use stored solar energy outside daylight hours, reducing peak-time energy costs.
Heating & Cooling
  • Programmable thermostats can save businesses up to £500 per year by optimising heating and cooling schedules.
  • Insulating walls and roofs in commercial buildings can cut heating costs by 25%, delivering savings of £1,000 per year.
Employee Energy Awareness
  • Encouraging staff to turn off unused equipment can save up to £600 per year in a typical office.
  • Setting computers to sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity can cut energy costs by £50 per desk per year.

Jargon Buster: Making Energy Simple

The energy industry is full of technical terms and acronyms that can make things more confusing than they need to be. Here’s a straightforward guide to some of the most common terms you might come across when looking at renewable energy, home energy bills, and efficiency upgrades.
General Energy & Billing Terms
Kilowatt (kW) & Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
  • A kilowatt (kW) is a measure of power - how much energy something uses or generates at a given moment.
  • A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the amount of electricity used over time. One kWh is equivalent to running a 1,000W appliance (e.g. a kettle) for one hour.
Standing Charge
  • A fixed daily fee you pay to have access to gas or electricity, regardless of how much you use. Prices vary by supplier but typically range from 30p-60p per day for electricity and 20p-40p per day for gas.
Unit Rate
  • The price you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity or gas you use. This fluctuates depending on your tariff.
Off-Peak / Economy 7 & Economy 10
  • Tariffs that offer cheaper electricity rates during night-time hours but higher rates during the day. Useful for homes with storage heaters or electric vehicle chargers.
Smart Meter
  • A digital meter that tracks your real-time energy use and sends readings to your supplier automatically.
Energy Tariffs & Smart Home Tech
Time-of-Use Tariffs
  • Electricity pricing that varies depending on the time of day. EV owners can benefit from tariffs that offer cheaper charging rates at night.
Demand Response
  • Some energy suppliers offer lower rates if you agree to reduce electricity usage during peak demand periods.
Smart Thermostat
  • A thermostat that learns your habits and automatically adjusts heating settings to reduce energy waste... can save up to 20% on heating bills.
Load Shifting
  • Using stored energy (e.g. from a battery) or scheduling appliances to run at cheaper, off-peak times.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
AC vs DC Charging
  • AC Charging: Slower, used for home charging (e.g. 7kW chargers).
  • DC Charging: Faster, used at public charging stations (e.g. 50kW+ rapid chargers).
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) & Vehicle-to-Home (V2H)
  • Technologies that allow an EV’s battery to supply electricity back to the grid or your home, effectively turning your car into a mobile battery storage unit.
kW vs kWh in EV Charging
  • kW (kilowatt) refers to the power output of a charger (how fast it charges).
  • kWh (kilowatt-hour) refers to the amount of energy stored in the battery (how far you can drive).
Solar Energy Terms
Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
  • Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity using semiconductor materials like silicon.
Battery Storage
  • A system that stores excess solar energy for later use, helping to reduce reliance on the grid and save up to 80% on energy bills.
Solar Inverter
  • A device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used in your home.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
  • A scheme that pays homeowners for exporting surplus electricity from their solar panels back to the grid. Rates vary from 5p to 15p per kWh depending on the provider.
Battery & Energy Storage Terms
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
  • The percentage of a battery’s total capacity that can be used before it needs recharging. Most lithium-ion batteries have a DoD of 80-90%.
Cycle Life
  • The number of charge and discharge cycles a battery can go through before its capacity significantly degrades. Many home battery systems last 4,000-6,000 cycles, equivalent to 10-15 years of use.
Grid Independence
  • The ability to power your home using stored or self generated electricity rather than relying on the national grid.
Heat Pumps & Home Heating Terms
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
  • A system that extracts heat from the air (even in cold weather) and uses it to warm your home. Can be up to 400% efficient, meaning for every 1kW of electricity used, you get 4kW of heat.
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
  • Similar to an air source heat pump but extracts heat from the ground via underground pipes.
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
  • A measure of efficiency for heat pumps. A COP of 4.0 means the system produces four times as much heat energy as it uses in electricity.
Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP)
  • A heat pump’s efficiency rating averaged across the entire year, considering temperature changes.
Radiator Oversizing
  • When switching to a heat pump, larger radiators may be needed to distribute heat more efficiently due to the lower operating temperatures compared to a gas boiler.

FAQs: Your Energy Questions Answered

Navigating the world of renewable energy and home efficiency can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it simple. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions people have about lowering their energy bills, switching to renewables, and making smarter energy choices. Whether you’re curious about solar panels, heat pumps, or simple ways to cut your electricity costs, we’ve got you covered.
What are the best ways to reduce my home energy bills?
What are the benefits of using LED lighting?
Are there government incentives for installing renewable energy systems?
How does a smart thermostat help in saving energy?
Are there government incentives for installing renewable energy systems?
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?
What is a heat pump, and how can it benefit my home?
Can electric vehicles (EVs) help in reducing energy costs?
How can I make my business more energy-efficient?
How can I monitor my home's energy usage effectively?
By tackling these common questions, we hope to make renewable energy and energy efficiency simple, accessible, and practical for you. If you’d like more advice, check out our blog or speak to one of our experts today!

How To: Guides

Lowering your energy bills and making the switch to renewable energy doesn’t have to be complicated. Our easy to follow guides break it all down... no jargon, no fuss, just clear, practical advice you can actually use. Whether you want to read your meter, get the most from your solar panels, or spot energy-wasting appliances, we’ve got you covered.
How to Read Your Smart Meter Like a Pro
Got a smart meter but not sure what it’s telling you? Let’s break it down so you can keep track of your energy use effortlessly.
What You’ll See on Your Smart Meter Display
  • Electricity Use – Usually in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
  • Gas Use – Measured in cubic meters (m³) or cubic feet (ft³).
  • Cost in £££ – Some meters show how much you’re spending in real time!
How to Check Your Readings
  • Press ‘A’ or ‘OK’ to cycle through the screens.
  • Look for ‘Total Usage’ for electricity and gas readings.
  • Ignore anything labelled ‘Today’ or ‘Per Hour’ – your supplier just needs the total.
Top Tip:
Keep an eye on your smart meter to see which appliances use the most energy... it’s a game changer!
How To: Read Your Gas and Electric Meter
Ever looked at your meter and thought, “What on earth does that mean?” You’re not alone! But reading your meter is actually pretty simple once you know what to look for.
Step 1: Find Your Meter
Gas and electric meters are usually outside your home in a meter box, under the stairs, or in a cupboard.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Meter You Have
  • Standard Meter – Just write down the numbers from left to right (ignore red numbers or anything after a decimal).
  • Digital Meter – Press a button if needed to wake it up, then note the main reading.
  • Dial Meter – Read each dial from left to right, but if the dial is between numbers, use the lower one.
Step 3: Submit Your Reading
If your supplier doesn’t get automatic readings, you can submit them online, via their app, or over the phone.
Top Tip:
Submitting regular readings ensures accurate bills... no more overpaying on estimates!
How to Use Your Solar Monitoring System to Maximise Savings
Your solar monitoring system isn’t just a gadget... it’s your key to getting the most out of your solar panels. Here’s how to use it properly.
Step 1: Log In to Your Monitoring App
Most solar systems come with an app (like SolarEdge, Enphase, or Tesla). Check with your installer if you’re unsure.
Step 2: Check Your Live Solar Generation
  • See how much energy your panels are producing in real time.
  • On a sunny day, your production should be at its highest!
Step 3: Compare Production vs Usage
  • If you’re making more energy than you use, you can store it in a battery or export it for payments (Smart Export Guarantee).
  • If usage is higher than production, consider shifting high-energy activities (like washing machines) to sunnier times.
Top Tip:
Set reminders to check your system monthly. If you notice a sudden drop in generation, it could mean your panels need a clean or a service.
How to Reduce Your Energy Bills Without Freezing in Winter
Staying warm doesn’t have to mean sky-high energy bills. Here’s how to keep cosy without spending a fortune.
Simple Ways to Cut Costs
  • Use Thermostat Smartly – Keep it at 18–20°C and use timers so it’s not on all day.
  • Block Draughts – Use draught excluders or even rolled-up towels to stop heat escaping under doors.
  • Layer Up – Sounds obvious, but an extra jumper can save you turning the heating up!
  • Radiator Hacks – Bleed radiators so they work efficiently and move furniture away so heat circulates properly.
Top Tip:
Close curtains at night to trap heat in, but open them in the day to let natural warmth from the sun in.
How to Make the Most of Off-Peak Energy Tariffs
If you’re on an Economy 7 or Time-of-Use tariff, you can save loads by using electricity at the right time.
When Is Off-Peak?
Usually between midnight and 7 am, but check with your provider.
How to Take Advantage
  • Set Appliances on Timers – Washing machines, dishwashers, and even EV chargers can run overnight.
  • Heat Water Overnight – If you have a hot water tank, schedule it to heat when electricity is cheapest.
  • Charge Batteries – If you have solar and a battery system, store cheap energy overnight to use in the day.
Top Tip:
If you’re not on a time-of-use tariff, ask your supplier if switching could save you money.
How to Switch to a Green Energy Supplier (and Why You Should)
Switching to a green supplier is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint... plus, it might save you money too!
What to Look For in a Green Supplier
  • 100% Renewable Electricity – Check if they source energy from wind, solar, or hydro.
  • Fair Pricing – Compare tariffs using sites like Uswitch or MoneySavingExpert.
  • Good Reviews – Check TrustPilot to see what customers think.
How to Switch
Pick your new supplier, sign up, and they’ll do the rest... no engineer visit needed.
Top Tip:
Some providers offer special solar export tariffs... worth checking if you have panels!
How to Tell If Solar Panels Are Right for Your Home
Thinking about solar but not sure if it’s worth it? Here’s how to check if your home is solar friendly.
Key Things to Consider
  • Roof Direction – South-facing roofs generate the most energy.
  • Shading – Trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings can reduce efficiency.
  • Available Space – A typical system needs at least 10m² of roof space.
How to Calculate Potential Savings
Use an online solar calculator (like the Energy Saving Trust’s tool) to estimate costs and payback time.
Top Tip:
If you plan to stay in your home for 10+ years, solar is usually a smart investment!
How to Store Solar Energy and Use It When You Need It
Solar panels are great... but without a battery, most of your energy goes straight to the grid. Here’s how battery storage can help.
Why Get a Battery?
  • Store excess solar power for evening use.
  • Reduce reliance on the grid when prices are highest.
  • Some batteries allow smart charging when grid electricity is cheapest.
What to Look For in a Battery
  • Capacity – How much energy it can store (measured in kWh).
  • Lifespan – Most last 10–15 years before needing replacement.
  • Compatibility – Make sure it works with your existing solar system.
Top Tip:
A home battery isn’t essential, but it can increase solar savings by up to 70%!
How to Spot and Fix Energy Wasting Appliances
Ever wonder which appliances are draining your energy (and your wallet)? Here’s how to find out.
Step 1: Check Your Smart Meter
Look for sudden spikes in usage... this tells you when high energy appliances are running.
Step 2: Identify the Worst Offenders
  • Tumble Dryers – One of the biggest energy guzzlers.
  • Old Fridges/Freezers – Can cost £100+ per year to run.
  • Halogen Bulbs – Swap for LEDs to save instantly.
Step 3: Fix the Problem
  • Switch off appliances at the plug.
  • Upgrade to energy efficient models when replacing old ones.
Top Tip:
Use smart plugs to track energy use per appliance... it’s a real eye opener!
How To: Read Your Smart Meter Like a Pro
How To: Read Your Gas and Electric Meter
How To: Use Your Solar Monitoring System to Maximise Savings
How To: Reduce Your Energy Bills Without Freezing in Winter
How To: Make the Most of Off-Peak Energy Tariffs
How To: Switch to a Green Energy Supplier
How To: Tell If Solar Panels Are Right for Your Home
How To: Store Solar Energy and Use It When You Need It
How To: Spot and Fix Energy Wasting Appliances

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