Energy saving advice
Being energy efficient can save you money and help the environment. You can be energy efficient by looking at ways to conserve energy through to making decisions about how ongoing energy needs are met, such as using renewable sources.
Energy Advice Survey
West Suffolk Council are offering homeowners, private renters and landlords an opportunity to have free energy advice that will help you improve your homes energy efficiency and reduce your energy bills by indicating what grants and schemes are available.
This will be carried out by our Healthy Homes Advisor who specialises in domestic housing energy efficiency. This survey can be done by email, telephone call or a visit to your home.
If you are interested in finding out more, please read our Energy Advice Leaflet or contact environment@westsuffolk.gov.uk or call 01284 757400.
Energy saving advice
The Energy Saving Trust provides free and impartial advice to help you be more energy efficient so you can use less energy, save money and produce less carbon emissions, helping the environment.
They also give advice on efficient home appliances. Make sure to look at the energy label to find appliances that use the least amount of energy. To find out more visit Energy Saving Trust - How to save money on my energy bills.
Additional support can be found using the following links:
In-person support and resources
West Suffolk Council is part of the Sustainable Suffolk partnership and together with our partners Groundwork East residents and communities can access support for improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Groundwork - Garden Doctor can visit your community to raise awareness and engage with residents to provide in depth advice. Alternatively, Groundwork can provide residents and community groups with all the tools required to engage among themselves on domestic energy efficiency.
National Energy Action
National Energy Action’s Energy Advice and Support Service is a free service providing energy bill help to householders in England and Wales on their bills and keeping warm and safe in their home. They can also help with benefits advice and income maximisation.
If you’re interested in using this free service, please visit Energy Advice and Support Service - National Energy Action (NEA).
Radio Teleswitch Service switch off
Ofgem phased out the Radio Teleswitch (RTS) in June 2025. If you have not has your RTS meter switched to a smart meter or one of the alternative metering solutions, please contact your electricity supplier to arrange a visit. Replacing your RTS meter will save you from any negative affect the switch off had for RTS meters.
For more information, please visit Ofgem - Replacing your Radio Teleswitch electricity meter.
For more information about smart meters, please visit the Energy Saving Trust - smart meters explained.
Smart meters
Smart meters show how much gas and electricity your home is using and how much your energy bill will be each month. This means you will have more accurate bills, and it will help you to achieve a lower energy consumption. With lower energy consumption, the amount of carbon emitted will be reduced.
Your energy supplier can install a smart meter in your home for free, you will just need to contact them to arrange an appointment.
Keep the heat
Please visit our Domestic energy efficiency funding webpage for more information.
Energy performance certificates
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented. Before a property is marketed to sell or rent, an EPC for potential buyers and tenants must be provided. An EPC shows how energy efficient a property is, with ratings ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
The certificate includes the estimated energy cost and the summary of the property’s energy performance-related attributes. Furthermore, an EPC shows recommendations to make your home more energy efficient, with each recommendation supported with approximate costs and energy savings. This can help you find ways to use energy more efficiently. If you’ve had your home modified or it’s been 10 years since you got an EPC, you can renew your EPC via GOV.UK - Get a new energy certificate
You can find your EPC by searching your postcode via GOV.UK - Find an energy certificate
To learn more about EPCs and the new proposed metric, please visit the Energy performance certificates explained webpage.
Install energy efficiency measures
Visit our Domestic energy efficiency funding page for information on grants and schemes that will help fully fund or discount on energy efficient measures such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and insulation. Installing these measures will help save money on your energy bills.
If you are considering extending or renovating your home or building a new home, guidance and advice on what should be considered when making a planning application can be found in the West Suffolk Climate Change and Sustainable Building Planning Advice Note on our Supplementary planning guidance page.
the following images of a home of the future are provided by GOV.UK - Warm Homes Plan
- Heat pumps - A heat pump is a device that can replace traditional heating systems such as boilers to provide space and water heating. Rather than burning a fuel to produce heat, they move heat from a low-temperature source and ‘pump’ it to a higher temperature where it can be used to provide space heating or hot water. The source is normally heat in the ground or the outside air.
- Battery storage and smart technology - Battery storage is typically used alongside solar PV and domestic wind turbines. It enables energy from renewables to be stored and then released when you need power most. Other smart technology such as timers and smart home automation can automatically adjust appliances to further reduce your bills.
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- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels – Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. By installing solar panels you can generate your own renewable electricity which you could receive payments for extra energy generated.
- Reflective film – Reflective window film can help reduce winter heat loss by bouncing radiant interior heat back into your room, though it is primarily designed to block solar heat in the summer.
- Window shutters – window shutters act as an extra barrier between the outside and inside your home. Closing window shutters will cause a buffer layer that will slow down heat loss.
- Loft insulation (along with wall and floor insulation) - Installing insulation in your home will help keep the heat in creating a warmer and more comfortable home. It will also reduce energy bills as less will have to be spent on heating the home.
- Smart meter - Smart meters, smart appliances and time-of-use tariffs help households to optimise energy use, reducing bills by using energy when it is cheaper during low-demand periods. Many smart meters are also used to record the export of electricity, for example from solar PV and home batteries, at times of high demand.
- Electric vehicles and charging points - Battery electric vehicles do not produce any exhaust pipe emissions at point of use and therefore help to contribute to improved local air quality. For more information on electric vehicles visit our Electric vehicles page.
Need help paying for fuel bills?
With energy bills rising many people are finding it more difficult to pay for their energy bills. For support and advice on how to reduce energy bills and to find out if you are eligible for schemes visit our Help with fuel bills page.
