‘I’m a mortgage expert at TSB – 7 ways to cut your bills’ | Personal Finance | Finance

As energy bills rose across the UK from April 1, many households are looking for practical ways to reduce costs and make their homes more energy efficient. Beverley Bradford, head of mortgage intermediaries at TSB, shared tips on how homeowners can make small, effective changes that lower bills and improve property energy performance.

The suggestions come as part of TSB’s partnership with home efficiency platform Snugg, which aims to support homeowners in understanding and improving their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings – a measure of how energy-efficient a property is, rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). An EPC is required when a home is built, sold, or rented and includes recommendations on ways to reduce energy use and save money.

Ms Bradford, who has spent over a decade improving the energy performance of her own Victorian home, explained how straightforward measures can lead to meaningful results. She told the Express: “When we bought our Victorian house in 2011, we chose it for the style and location. We didn’t really think too much about the EPC rating – which at the time was a G. But over the years, we’ve managed to raise that rating to a C.”

Ms Bradford noted that homeowners don’t need to make major renovations to see improvements. She said: “We weren’t able to make the changes we wanted all at once, it’s been a gradual process. We started by changing the lighting to energy-efficient bulbs, and over time, we replaced our boiler, upgraded the heating system, and replaced the front and back doors.

“In total, we reduced our energy consumption by 7% just by doing relatively small things and things we would’ve done anyway to the house. It’s a huge improvement, especially given the age of the property.”

For those looking to begin improving their home’s energy efficiency, Ms Bradford suggested starting with an up-to-date EPC assessment. This will outline areas for improvement and allow homeowners to prioritise changes based on their budget and the potential impact.

TSB and Snugg shared several low-cost improvements that can help reduce energy use and household bills:

• Switch to LED bulbs: Use up to 80% less power and can last significantly longer than traditional bulbs, saving £2 to £3 per bulb per year.

• Draught-proof doors and windows: A simple fix like draught excluders, often under £10, can help retain heat.

• Insulate hot water pipes: Foam insulation around pipes in unheated areas prevents heat loss and boosts boiler efficiency.

• Install low-flow showerheads: These can cut water usage by up to 60%, lowering the energy needed to heat water.

• Reflect radiator heat: Radiator foil reflects heat back into the room, which can be particularly useful in older homes.

• Fit a hot water tank jacket: This can save up to £80 annually for homes with older tanks.

• Check for government grants: Many homeowners are eligible for support to offset the cost of efficiency upgrades. Snugg’s free energy plan helps identify which grants may apply.