British families could spend thousands of pounds over the next few years to make their homes more energy efficient, after Boris Johnson revealed his ‘net Zero’ strategy.
MailOnline visited two properties this week in order to find out what homeowners might need to do to improve their efficiency. This includes heat pumps, solar panels, triple-glazed windows, and LED lightbulbs.
One semi-detached property in a Buckinghamshire village built in 1949 and worth £500,000 gives families a good example of what might be required, because it already has double glazed windows and loft insulation.
But there are a raft of extra additions it could have to become more energy efficient – including an air-source heat pump for up to £12,000, solar panels for up to £7,000 and triple-glazed windows, also for up to £7,000.
Other smaller-scale modifications include LED lightbulbs, insulation films over stained-glass windows, smart radiator controls, extra insulation around a hot water tank, and blocking off an open fire place.
The gas boiler in the home’s four bedrooms is also relatively new, but it is not hydrogen-ready. It would have to be replaced because the Government wants traditional gas boilers phased out by 2035.
This semi-detached Buckinghamshire property gives you an idea of how energy efficiency improvements can easily be made
The Buckinghamshire rear is shown in the photograph. Solar panels could be put in on the roof, costing up to £7,000, because there lots of roof space, and a battery could be installed to save the power from panels. An air-source heat pump could be installed for up to £12,000 at the back, but only if the house was better insulated under the floor which could be expensive
To prevent heat from escaping, the TV should be turned off and not on standby.
The fireplace can be blocked to stop heat escape, and the double-glazed windows could switch to triple-glazed.
Experts say that loft floors are well insulated, meaning the property has features that help prevent heat loss.
According to energy experts, this room could be fitted with smart Radiator controls and LED lights.
Experts believe it is important to have blinds and curtains to keep heat inside, but windows could be double glazed in future.
This is an energy-saving lightbulb at the Buckinghamshire home, but LED lightbulbs are better for efficiency.
Six months ago, the owners expanded the Buckinghamshire house and added a new kitchen. The front of the house is shown above
The garden of the property in a Buckinghamshire village which is worth about £500,000 and has four bedrooms
To make your home more efficient, smart radiator controls and LED lights could be installed in this Buckinghamshire room.
Six months ago, the owners extended the house and put in a new kitchen, but it does not have an electric induction hob which would further improve its eco-rating.
They could also make the home more energy-efficient by ensuring that appliances such as dishwashers and washers only run on full loads or eco-friendly cycles.
Heating bills are likely to soar – possibly by more than 50 per cent – as households are forced to ditch gas boilers, and experts said even well insulated households will have to fork out around £10,000 of their own money across the property to help get to net zero.
The Treasury has not attempted to calculate the total cost of the net zero plans – but Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the final bill would be ‘well over £1trillion’, spread over the next 30 years.
MailOnline was joined on the tour of the property in Buckinghamshire by Gavin Ellis, director and co-founder of Hubbub, a charity which specialises in energy saving, and Myles Robinson, a boiler expert from the Wakefield-based retailer Boiler Central.
Here’s what Mr Ellis and Herr Robinson had to say about improvements that could be made.
LOFT INSULATION
Gavin Ellis: “When it comes to lofts you either have to insulate your floor or your roof. Here is insulation between rafters – also known as warm space insulation. It looks pretty good.
It will keep the heat in the house from escaping and keep the rooms below warm. It should be between 250mm (9.8in), and 270mm (10.6in) thick.
WATER TANKS and RADIATORS
Gavin Ellis: “What you want to do about a hot water tank, is make sure it is insulated. It looks like this one is. You don’t want the immersion heater on 24/7.
It would be like running the kettle continuously for hours. It’s important to be familiar with your hot water and heating controls.
You can set it on a timer so it starts an hour before you wake up. Then, you might consider switching to a jumper instead. This is a very basic control, so you might consider investing in a smart control system such as Google Nest or Hive.
GLAZING AND WIRED
Gavin Ellis: ‘It looks like the rooms have double glazing and good drapes which will keep the heat inside,’ Gavin Ellis said. Double glazing is fine. However, if condensation forms between the panes, it’s time for a professional to inspect them.
They would have to triple glaze their entire house if they wanted net zero and money is not an issue. This may not be possible so homeowners should do what they can within their means.
RADIATORS
Gavin Ellis: “The thermostats that control the temperature on the radiators in our house are a positive. Heat reflective panels can be added to help direct heat back into the room since both radiators are located on external walls.
“Also, make sure that the curtains don’t overshadow the radiator to heat the room. It’s not a problem if the towel rail doubles up as a heater in the bathroom and has proper controls.
‘A water efficient head for your shower will help you save money and keep them under four minutes.
APPLIANCES
Gavin Ellis: “To save money and to conserve energy, they should get an induction hob next time they upgrade the kitchen.
“Looking at your household appliances is key. Make sure they are energy-efficient models. Run them on full loads.
DOORS & DRAUGHTS
Gavin Ellis: “The back door has big thick curtains some thumbs up there. You can draw them on a cold winter night to keep the heat in. The front door looks great and has a good draught-excluding strip.
Clear insulation films can be purchased to improve the performance of stained glass panes. It can also serve as a temporary or cheaper fix for single-glazed windows.
“One of the windows has blinds and curtains that offer double protection, so that’s a good thing.”
FIREPLACE
Gavin Ellis: ‘If your home has proper insulation and radiators, then why would you need a fire place? It’s really an aesthetic choice for many people, I know. You might have to compromise if you want net zero.
LIGHTS
Gavin Ellis stated that’some of the light bulbs are energy-saving – this is a good thing, but in a net zero household all lights are LED. To make your house net zero, you need to have as much control as you can and block out any draughts.
“But the truth is that we must make an energy switch to move away from gas. Otherwise, we won’t reach net zero.” The future is not based on gas.
Myles Robinson: “That’s quite efficient boiler so it’ll be A-rated which signifies it’s one the most efficient on the market.
“But that’s still insufficient to reach net zero as it’s still using gas and emitting greenhouse gases. It’s not hydrogen ready, so they will need to buy a new one when we switch.
“It appears there is enough space for a heatpump down the side of your house, provided that it is properly insulated. They would need floor insulation if they want the heat pump to work efficiently. Otherwise, it would be more expensive and could cost hundreds of pounds per month.
To make the washing machine as efficient as possible, it should only be used with a full load.
The hot water tank can be seen at the property. Experts say that additional insulation around it could also be possible
To meet the Government’s energy goals, the fridge freezer should have the highest efficiency.
The gas boiler in the house, although new, is not hydrogen-ready and would need to be replaced to meet Government targets.
In this children’s bedroom at a Buckinghamshire property, smart Radiator controls and LED lights could be installed
You could install smart heating and hot water controls. It should be turned off when not in use and should be set to timers
For maximum efficiency, a water efficient showerhead could be installed. Showers should take less than four minutes.
Experts have shown a towel rack in the bathrooms. Experts suggest smart controls to improve its efficiency.
Smart radiator controls and LED lights can be added to increase the property’s energy efficiency.
They also have a lot of roof space, so they could get a four- or eight-panel solar system installed. They could have a battery installed if they really want to travel to the city.
A ground heat source is another option, if they opt for a horizontal pump. But they would have to drill tubes into that garden, which is very expensive – probably £15,000 plus, just for that.
You will need over 200 square metres of space to heat a four bedroom house using ground heat. Although there is no need to change the boiler now, it is a good idea to make sure that it is hydrogen ready when they buy a new boiler.
Swapping gas for hydrogen is the only real way to reach the net zero target. Combining solar panels with energy-saving batteries will offset even more carbon.
‘A four panel solar system and a battery will cost around £7,000 and the hydrogen boiler £2,000. So provided the house is properly insulated, it will cost £9,000 to have it net zero ready.’
Smart radiator controls and LED lights throughout the property in Buckinghamshire would make it more efficient.
Although the radiators can be controlled by a computer, smart controls could make it easier for radiators to be turned off in rooms not being used.
Experts suggested that a clear insulation film be placed on the stained glass pane to increase its heat retention.
To improve energy efficiency in Buckinghamshire, this light could be replaced with an LED alternative.
The fire place has been blocked off which can stop heat escaping – a measure that will help with energy efficiency
To improve energy efficiency in this Buckinghamshire house, clothes should be dried rather than tumble dried.
This gas hob will need to be replaced by an induction electric hob. This would further improve the home’s eco-rating.
MailOnline also visited a three storey terraced property in North London that was built in the 1980s, but in the Georgian Style. This property also had a range similar improvements to help it meet the Government’s targets.
The main different was that the property, which is worth £1.6million, has mostly single-glazed windows which would all need to be at least double-glazed, and possibly triple-glazed. Here is what experts said:
ROOF INSULATED
One of the main energy saving measures is loft insulation which can save people up £135 per year as around a quarter of the homes heat is lost through the roof.
Gavin Ellis: Heat rises. This means that you could be heating up your house and a large portion of it is escaping through a roof. You would prefer thick curtails to trap heat, as this large window would allow.
“Even though the windows on top floors are double-glazed, heat can still escape, especially in the winter months.”
“And if this was not converted into a living area, it would have to been properly insulated – that would be your first thing.
Although a heat pump would be required to be installed outside the property in North London experts disagreed. This is because the entire house, including the floors, would need to have insulation at a high cost.
To keep heat in the North London home, better wall insulation and roof insulation is required. A thick blind or curtain is also needed.
To stop heat loss, the fireplace at the home must be blocked. Double or triple glazing is also required for the windows.
To keep heat in the North London home with a converted roof, better wall insulation and roof insulation is required.
Double glazing would be required on these windows. LED lights are more efficient and would require less energy.
The property, which is located on three floors in North London, was built in 1980s. It has standard energy efficiency measures.
The North London home with the Beko fridge freezer is rated F. But a more efficient fridge might be better.
The boiler in the house is old and not energy efficient, and could be replaced by a heat pump or hydrogen boiler in future
DRAUGHT PROOFING DOORS & WINDOWS
Gavin Ellis: “Here the front door doesn’t look terrible, but on cold winter’s days, you’re going to feel a draft coming through.
It’s a thick door so you could draughtproof the sides and bottom with tape or strips. Keep the heat in the right spot in a big house by sealing the doors to the rooms you spend most of your time in.
“Obviously, single glazing does not play a part in net zero. Therefore, all ground floor windows must be replaced.”
FIREPLACES
Gavin Ellis: “This house has a chimney, which could also be letting in heat because it leads to the outside. Draught-proof fireplaces can also be made, but this would require the assistance of a professional.
RADIATORS
Gavin Ellis: ‘Here, you can’t control heating on the radiators. So you would want a smart thermostat installed on each one.
“You could also place reflective panels behind the radiators to reflect heat back into the room, otherwise you’re just heating up a wall.”
APPLIANCES
Gavin Ellis: To meet net zero, you’d also want to replace your gas hob with an electric cooker. Induction cookers use less energy and are much more efficient.
Appliances such as the fridge and freezer should run efficiently. This one has an F rating, which seems to be pretty poor. Dryers can be expensive and use a lot if you don’t dry your clothes properly.
“Dishwashers, washing machines and dryers account for 10 percent household energy bills. It’s best to run eco-cycles with full loads.
For this living room, double or triple glazing would be required. However, it could also use LED lights or smart radiators.
Silver foil would be placed between the radiator and the wall to make the property more efficient when the heating is turned off.
Double glazing would be required for the North London property’s window doors to increase its energy efficiency.
North London’s roof will require better insulation to make it more efficient.
The windows should be sealed properly to prevent heat loss in colder months.
Double glazing is used in the loft conversion to reduce heat loss. The rest of the house, however, has single glazing.
To make the home more efficient, the fireplace would need to be plugged to prevent heat loss.
A smart plug can be used to save electricity and money on the TV and music stereo that are currently in standby.
LIGHTS
Gavin Ellis: ‘Basically, use LED wherever you can because they’re so much more efficient. Although it is common to believe that switching on or off a light costs more energy, that urban myth is false. Always switch them off.
SMART METER
Gavin Ellis: “This is a standard smartmeter, which hasn’t been plugged into for a while. – This is often true once the novelty has warned off.
“To get the best out of them, you could connect them up with new technology such Loop, which gives you a device breakdown and phantom loads.
“For example, the radio in the living room was left on standby. It uses very little electricity but is always on.
Smart-plugs can be remotely turned off via your smartphone. This could save up to £35 per year per home.’
BEHAVIOURAL
Gaving Ellis: ‘We all know people who turn the heating up in winter and wear T-shirts. Avoid long hot showers as heating water can waste energy. The recommended time for a hot shower is four minutes.
“Choosing a renewable tariff is also beneficial as it means more investment in clean energy.
The boiler in the North London house runs in conjunction with a Honeywell ST6400C central heat system
If LED lights were installed in the bedroom and windows were double-glazed, the home would be more efficient.
Gavin Ellis, 44 is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Hubbub, an environmental charity that specializes in everyday environmental hacks
Induction is recommended by energy efficiency experts to replace the gas hob with a gas stove.
Experts also suggested that the Neff dishwasher be used only on its eco Setting when it has a full load
North London house has smart electricity, but not smart heating. This would be more efficient.
A curtain above the front door, and a window above it, would help to keep heat in the North London home.
To make North London’s property more energy-efficient, smart radiator controls should be installed
Double glazing large windows doors would make the property more energy-efficient.
One of the many changes that could be made in the North London property could include a more efficient shower.
To save energy, appliances like this Indesit tumbler should only be used when full.
To ensure that your house is as efficient as possible in terms of energy, the washing machine should only be used when it is full
HEAT PUMPS
Gavin Ellis said that even with all the work, net zero would not be achieved in this house because of the gas boiler. This is really carbon-intensive, so it’s something that needs to be changed first.
“But it won’t stop heat escaping unless the house is draught-proofed and insulate.” This shows the challenges we face in the UK with our housing stock, if we are to meet these targets.
“Heat pumps can be one option, but not the only way to help homes reach net-zero. The grant scheme will only support 90,000. There are many other options.
Boiler Central’s Myles Roberts said: “I can see the boiler has a lot of age by looking at the thermostat that it is connected to. So the first thing they would want to do is replace it with an A-rated boiler, which means they could save £340, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Keep in mind that the gas prices are at an all-time high, so the savings could be even higher. They would also like to get a smart thermostat that turns off the heating when they leave the house or return home.
“Obviously, changing the boiler will save energy, but you still emit green house gases.”
“A lot of homes don’t have heat pumps. It’s impossible. First of all, heat pump efficiency is not greater than that of boilers if the home has good insulation.
“Heat pumps operating at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius are at their worst. However, that’s when homeowners most need warmth. The government grant program is going to fail, I believe.
‘You need decent space [for ground source pumps]This means it is not suitable to be terraced or most semi-detached.
HYDROGEN BOILERS
The ‘Hydrogen boilers’ are far more efficient than conventional boilers, but the challenge is in figuring out how to produce large volumes of the stuff.
“Homes without a large roof for solar panels or enough space for ground heat must rely on boilers. All manufacturers are investing in this technology.