Home energy efficiency
The more energy efficient our homes are, the less they cost to heat and keep warm.
There are lots of simple ways to save energy in your home and many will cost you nothing at all. This will both reduce your bills and help to protect the environment.
This guide to saving energy in the home contains some top tips on insulation, heating, hot water, lighting and how to use your electrical appliances most efficiently.
For tips on staying warm and well, visit our stay well, stay warm page.
Financial support to make your home more energy efficient
Keep Herefordshire Warm is a local project that offers free energy advice to residents in the county. They also administer energy efficiency grants on behalf of the council, which can be used to make a range of home energy improvements.
Call Keep Herefordshire Warm free on 0800 677 1432 to speak to one of their friendly and professional advisors.
Connected for Warmth insulation scheme
Connected for Warmth is funded by National Grid as part of their affordable warmth obligations.
The scheme has no strings attached and is free for all residents in Council Tax Bands A to D, in owner-occupied or privately rented properties in Herefordshire.
Eligible residents can apply for free cavity wall and loft insulation (includes top up).
If they're able to install cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation, then secondary measures can also be installed. These are heating controls and Radbots.
Other measures are also available, such as reflective radiator panels, low energy light bulbs, draught-proofing and chimney balloons.
You can also have a pre Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a post Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Apply for the Connected for Warmth insulation scheme
Are you struggling with your energy bills?
As well as their energy advice line, Keep Herefordshire Warm also have a dedicated Energy Advocate who works across the county to make sure that no one has to struggle with their energy bills alone.
They hold regular drop-ins, work with local community groups and carry out home visits, to tailor their support to residents' needs.
They can support you with a range of issues:
- Managing fuel debt and large energy bills
- Accessing emergency credit and grant funding for energy efficiency improvements
- Home visits to understand how you use energy at home, and how to reduce it
- Access to further local support services where necessary
If you're struggling with your bills, you don't have to suffer alone. Call Keep Herefordshire Warm on 0800 677 1432 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or contact their Energy Advocate via the Keep Herefordshire Warm website.
Also see the government's help with your energy bills page. You can also now apply for financial support if you live in a park, mobile or care home, or off the electricity grid.
How to check the energy efficiency of your home
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) indicate the energy efficiency of your home. You can search the EPC national register to find your property. They are valid for 10 years and are required if you are selling or buying a home.
If you live in Hereford or one of the market towns, you can check how well insulated your property is on our building heat loss map.
Our Statement of Intent
The council has a Statement of Intent V6, for the ECO4 Energy Company obligation to assist those in fuel poverty.
Contact us about home energy related matters at energy@herefordshire.gov.uk
Our affordable warmth strategy and reports
We publish our progress in meeting the action plan outlined in our affordable warmth strategy, every two years, as required by the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA).
A further update is planned in 2022.