Renting? Make these swaps to save energy & money

Successive energy price cap rises, the latest of which comes into effect on 1st January 2025, have brought how much we pay for fuel into the spotlight. A new research document released by Rightmove highlighted how many of us are prepared to change how and when we use energy if it means cheaper bills.

The results were conclusive - 76% of renters and 70% of homeowners questioned said they would change their gas and electricity consumption habits if their bills decreased as a result. The portal put the higher number of renters who were receptive to change down to the fact they are less able to make energy-efficient adaptations to their homes.

Or are they? A review of a Government document entitled ‘Private Rented Sector Tenants’ Energy Efficiency Improvements Provisions’ details that:

‘private rented sector tenants can request consent from their landlord to install energy efficiency improvements in the property they rent, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse consent.’

These rights came into effect in April 2016 but are little used. Why? Even if a landlord consents to install energy efficiency improvements, such as solar panels, cavity wall insulation or an air source heat pump, they are not obliged to pay a penny towards the project. Instead, the financial burden falls on the tenant who made the request.

Of course, many tenants don’t want to invest thousands of pounds on improving the energy efficiency of a property they don’t own – especially as the savings can take years to recoup. Renters do already benefit from a minimum energy standard in the form of an EPC. All privately rented homes must have an E rating, making them more energy efficient than properties rated F and G.

The Government wants to take energy efficiency in the private rental sector a step further and it has recently announced all rental stock will have to have a minimum rating of C by 2030.

The new energy benchmark is some way off but there are a number of steps tenants can take to reduce their energy consumption and their monthly bills. These can be divided into two camps: simple swaps that don’t need approval and small alterations that will need a landlords’ permission:

Simple swaps

• Switching from a 40 degree wash cycle to a 30 degree one
• Using express/quick cycles on washing machines and dishwashers
• Swapping the tumble dryer for a heated airer or clothes horse in a room with a dehumidifier
• Buying A-rated appliances and electrical goods
• Turning appliances off at the wall and not using standby mode
• Unplugging phone chargers to reduce the ‘phantom drain’
• Reporting poorly fitting windows and doors that let in draughts
• Programming the central heating so it only comes on when needed
• Using thermostatic radiator valves to set individual room temperatures
• Lowering the temperature of the water flowing into radiators via a combi boiler
• Turning down the temperature by one or two degrees on the main wall thermostat
• Swapping all light bulbs to LED versions
• Keeping thick or thermal curtains closed to keep heat in

Permission required

• Using self-adhesive draught excluders around window and door frames to reduce draughts
• Affixing reflective foil behind radiators to reflect the heat back into the room
• Insulating pipes and the hot water tank to minimise heat loss
• Fitting secondary glazing film to keep rooms warmer
• Installing a chimney block to prevent draughts coming down the chimney
• Having a smart meter fitted to keep track of energy costs
• Adding extra insulation to the loft

Most landlords will be receptive to the above energy efficiency changes but they are not obliged to pay for the improvements and they may specify a trusted trade to carry out the work.

If you live in a rented property and would like to approach your landlord about energy efficiency improvements, please get in touch.