Energy use and cutting consumption

Energy suppliers

Many energy suppliers offer green tariffs. This means they’ll match your usage with renewable energy generation or they will contribute towards environmental schemes on your behalf. It’s generally easy to switch tariffs or suppliers, and there are lots of comparison websites you can use to find the best tariff for you. Find more information about switching energy suppliers on the Energy Saving Trust website (external link).

Improving the energy efficiency of your home

There are lots of ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint and costs. Example include:

For more information visit the Action Surrey website (external link) or the Energy Saving Trust website (external link).

SHBC works in partnership with Action Surrey, who are an impartial energy advice service set up by local councils across Surrey and Surrey County Council.

You may be able to get help to pay for part or all of a variety of home energy saving improvements.

Household Energy Efficiency Grants

Funding is available for eligible households under the Government's Green Homes Grant scheme.

The grant project is being run by Action Surrey on behalf of all Surrey local authorities and provides funds for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and solar renewable technology.

Grants of up to £25,000 are available for eligible Surrey residents to help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. The grants are means tested.

To check if you are eligible, call Action Surrey for free on 0800 783 2503 or visit the Action Surrey website (external link)

Free Home Energy Surveys

Live in Surrey Heath? Want to reduce your energy bills?

You may be eligible for a free energy survey, which will identify where heat is being lost from your home, and give advice on what you can do to reduce your energy bills. 

To apply for a survey visit the Zero Carbon Guildford website(external link).

Save water and save energy

Ideas on how to save water and energy:

  • have a shower instead of a bath; the average bath uses more than double the amount of water as the average shower
  • don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth
  • add a water saving device to your toilet cistern to reduce water used in every flush
  • if you shower for 60 seconds less each day you could save 15 litres per minute
  • in the garden use a watering can instead of a hose
  • install a water butt to harness rain water and let the grass grow to keep the moisture in
  • only use the washing machine when you’ve got a full load and use the lowest temperature recommended

More tips for saving water and money can be found on the South East Water website (external link).

Boiler upgrade scheme

Through the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant of up to £6,000 to replace your fossil fuel boiler with a renewable heating alternative such as heat pump or biomass boiler.

Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas or electric.

You can get one grant per property. Grants are available for:

  • £5,000 towards an air source heat pump
  • £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
  • £5,000 towards a biomass boiler

Find out if you are eligible and apply for the boiler upgrade scheme on the GOV.UK website (external link).

Great British Insulation Scheme

You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills. You might get support if your home:

You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.

You can contact Action Surrey who can explain how the scheme works and organise surveys for work. For more details visit the Great British Insulation Scheme webpage on the Action Surrey website (external link).