Getting Started on Home Decarbonisation

As the UK moves toward net-zero emissions, homeowners are playing a key role in the transition. Decarbonising your home might sound like a major undertaking, but the journey can begin with a few simple steps. Here’s a practical guide to help you get started, from immediate low-cost actions to comprehensive long-term planning.

Step 1: Start Simple and Save Now

The first steps in home decarbonisation don’t require major investment. One of the easiest and most effective actions is turning down your boiler flow temperature. Most boilers in the UK are set too high, which means they run less efficiently. By reducing your flow temperature to around 60°C, you could save energy and cut your heating bills without compromising comfort. Nesta has created a helpful guide on how to do this safely and effectively. You can read it here: Money Saving Boiler Challenge

Other quick wins include:

• Draft-proofing windows and doors (you can do this with simple DIY draft proofing all the way through to double or triple glazing depending on your budget) 
• Installing reflective radiator panels (these are DIY panels that increase convection rates of radiators, easy to install and relatively low cost) 
• Switch off, don't just leave devices on standby where you can (devices that aren't switched off at the mains create a phantom load and the more of these you have, the more grid electricity you're demanding - check out Loop Homes who have a great post on this)
• Switching to energy efficient devices and lighting when current devices reach their end of life (there's a very real need to avoid over consumption by getting rid of working devices but when you're looking to replace white goods or lighting, look at energy efficiency as well as end of life disposal)

Step 2: Understand Your Whole Home & Beyond

Once you’ve tackled the quick wins, it’s time to take a broader look at how your home performs. This is where a whole home assessment can be helpful. It evaluates everything from insulation and ventilation to heating systems and renewable energy potential. A qualified retrofit coordinator can help you understand your home’s current energy use and create a tailored plan for reducing emissions. They consider your property type, budget, and long-term goals to recommend staged improvements that work together efficiently.

Platforms like the one from our friends at Furbnow make it easier to access a retrofit assessment and connect with professionals who understand the latest standards and best practices.

The biggest contribution you can make on your CO₂ impact inside your home will likely be from your heating. Once you're ready to tackle this, there's a raft of material that can help you understand heat pump technology. This is not a new innovation, but a heating approach that has been around for decades yet for some reason there's been a lot of debate about the effectiveness of this technology. The reality is the cost of installation and the likely disruption from the installation may be the biggest barriers to overcome as opposed to the reliability or effectiveness of the solution but there's likely to be a consultation on how we can make financing more accessible for this transition which we'll be very active about along with providing more digestible material on this change so stay tuned. In the meantime, i you'd rather see and hear about it from current owners, why not see if there's a Visit a Heat Pump home near you? 

Lastly, don't forget how you get to and from your home. Walking, cycling and public transport will always be the most carbon friendly methods of transport but we're also seeing the benefits from early adopters of EV cars come to fruition. From competitive salary sacrifice schemes making EVs more accessible to exciting and spacious cars, to a much wider range of public charging infrastructure, the transition to electric vehicles is getting easier every year. Watch this space for more on this to come!

Step 3: Find the Right Installer

When you're ready to make bigger upgrades such as installing a heat pump, solar PV, or insulation, choosing the right installer is crucial. Look for professionals certified under the Micro-Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) to ensure quality and eligibility for any government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Always get more than one quote, ideally three and ensure you have a performance estimate in your design proposal (this is where you can see if they have made the effort to understand your property as well as current energy usage when presenting you with return on benefit calculations). Before starting, ask to see a contract that shows who will be working on your home (ideally avoid installers who use a large network of subcontractors they can't effectively quality manage), what they will be installing (this should align to the design proposal) and how they will manage and deliver the project (do they plan to use temporary works like scaffolding, how will they minimise disruption and risk). Lastly, make sure the payment terms give you the freedom to make sure they are only paid based on progress and your satisfaction and that they will take out appropriate consumer protection like the IAA MCS Guarantee which not only protects you from equipment failures but critically, workmanship issues.

If you still aren't sure where to find a competent installer, try our Instlaler Search Tool which we built to help homeowners find MCS-registered installers and manage quotes, ensuring transparency and peace of mind throughout the process.

Final Thoughts

Home decarbonisation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Start small, build knowledge, and plan improvements that make sense for your home and lifestyle. By taking a phased and informed approach, you can reduce your carbon footprint, lower energy bills, and improve the comfort and value of your home.

Act Now! Every journey starts with a first step. Why not make set a reminder on your phone to go turn down the thermostat on your boiler when you're next at home?