How can I improve my home’s energy efficiency, especially in older buildings?
Older homes have a unique charm and character that newer builds often lack, but many come with a common downside — they tend to be less energy efficient. These buildings often suffer from poor insulation, draughts, and outdated heating systems, leading to higher energy bills and a bigger carbon footprint. The good news is that there are many practical ways to improve energy efficiency in older homes without sacrificing their historic appeal.
This post explores effective, sustainable strategies to help homeowners reduce energy waste, lower bills, and increase comfort — all while respecting the structure and legacy of older properties.
Understanding the Challenge of Older Homes
Older homes—ranging from pre-1919 solid-wall constructions to interwar homes with cavity walls—were built in an era with very different standards for energy efficiency. They often rely on materials and methods that "breathe" and were not designed with modern insulation or airtightness in mind.
Common issues include:
Lack of or insufficient insulation
Single-glazed windows prone to heat loss
Draughty doors and windows
Outdated heating and hot water systems
Poor ventilation management leading to heat loss or moisture problems
Understanding these helps tailor improvement measures that are effective yet sensitive to the home's heritage and health.
Start Simple: Seal Draughts and Upgrade Lighting
Draughts are one of the easiest and most cost-effective problems to tackle and can significantly improve comfort and reduce heating bills.
Draught-proofing: Identify unwanted gaps around doors, windows, floors, and skirting boards. Use appropriate foam tapes, seals, and draught excluders designed specifically for this purpose to block these leaks. Avoid sealing intentional ventilation, which is necessary for moisture control.
Floor gaps: Especially in older homes with suspended timber floors, ensure proper ventilation outside before adding insulation or draught-proofing under floorboards.
Lighting: Switch all light bulbs to LED versions. LEDs use far less electricity and last much longer than incandescent or halogen bulbs, saving money and energy with minimal upfront cost.
Improve Insulation Wisely
Insulating your home reduces heat loss significantly. In older homes, this requires a considered approach to avoid moisture problems.
Loft insulation: Adding or topping up loft insulation to at least 270mm is one of the simplest and most affordable measures. It keeps warm air in during winter and can reduce carbon emissions notably.
Wall insulation:
For older solid walls, internal or external insulation can be installed, but it's important to use materials that allow the walls to breathe to prevent damp issues.
For homes with cavity walls, have insulation injected if not already done.
Floor insulation: Adds value by reducing heat lost through the floor, which can be around 8% of total heat loss.
Proper ventilation, such as installing eaves baffles in the loft, is key to managing moisture when upgrading insulation.
Windows and Doors Upgrades
Windows and doors are common points of heat loss in period properties.
Secondary glazing: Installing secondary glazing panels can improve thermal performance without removing original window frames, preserving the home's character while raising energy efficiency.
New windows: Where possible, consider double or triple glazing with modern materials, but always factor in necessary ventilation and preservation guidelines.
Energy-efficient doors: Older external doors can be draughty; replacing them with insulated, well-fitted alternatives can make a big difference.
Additionally, simple changes like using thick curtains can help retain heat inside during colder months.
Upgrade Heating and Controls
Heating systems typically consume the largest portion of home energy.
Smart heating controls: Installing thermostats that learn and adapt to your schedule can reduce wasted heating by only warming rooms when needed.
Boiler upgrades: Replacing old boilers with A-rated condensing boilers or low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps can yield big energy savings.
Radiator efficiency: Adding reflector panels behind radiators improves heat distribution by reflecting warmth into the room.
When making heating upgrades in older homes, be mindful of ventilation and moisture to avoid causing damp issues.
Consider Renewable Energy Options
For those ready to invest more, renewable energy systems can further decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar panels: Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels allows you to generate your own electricity, potentially selling surplus back to the grid.
Heat pumps: Air source or ground source heat pumps provide low-carbon alternatives to gas boilers, suitable for some older homes depending on insulation and space availability.
Check for government grants or schemes that could help subsidize these expensive but long-term cost-saving improvements
Practical Tips to Maintain Energy Efficiency
Regularly maintain heating systems and ensure thermostats are working accurately.
Use radiator thermostatic valves to control heat room-by-room.
Close curtains at dusk to retain warmth; open them during sunny days to utilize solar gain.
Avoid overheating your home; a comfortable 18-21°C is usually sufficient.
Seek Expert Advice When Needed
Improving energy efficiency in older buildings can be complex, especially concerning building physics, ventilation, and moisture management. Consulting professionals familiar with "Energy Efficient Retrofit" standards ensures that upgrades preserve architectural integrity and prevent unintended damage.
Improving an older home’s energy efficiency is not only beneficial for the environment but can lead to significant savings on energy bills and a more comfortable living space. By addressing draughts, upgrading insulation, improving windows and doors, modernizing heating, and considering renewables, homeowners can transform their older properties into greener homes.
Start with simple, affordable measures and gradually progress to larger upgrades. Treat the building with care and seek specialist advice for best results. With thoughtful improvements, the charm of an old home can blend perfectly with the benefits of modern energy efficiency.
If more detailed guidance or specific product recommendations are desired, further resources and professional services can be explored to tailor improvements to individual homes.
If interested in how sustainable living can be easily achieved, Live Green offers guides, books, courses, products and community support to help homeowners on their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle. To get a free sustainability checklist for the home please sign up to our newsletter at www.livegreen.club