Energy saving DIY home improvements
Practical advice to help you save energy at home, lower your energy bills, improve comfort, and protect the planet. Whether you're renting, a social tenant, a homeowner, or a landlord, this advice is for you.
As well as these DIY home improvements, we also have a page with information on no-cost energy-saving behaviour tips that can be used by everyone including renters.
DIY energy saving measures
Letterbox draught excluder
A letter box draught excluder is handy for preventing cold air from entering your home through the letterbox and warm air from escaping. Draught excluders can also have positive impacts in helping to reduce external noise.
You can find handy explainer videos on YouTube.
DIY draughtproofing
Draught–proofing strips can be used to seal gaps around windows, doors, and floorboards to prevent draughts, reducing draughts. These strips are easy to apply and improve insulation, meaning that when you put your heating on you will notice the positive impacts of a warmer home quicker. Brush draught excluders can also be purchased and applied along the bottom edge of doors.
Find out more from the Energy Saving Trust.
Radiator foil
Reflective foil placed behind radiators helps to reflect heat back into the room rather than letting it escape through the walls, improving the efficiency of your heating.
Watch how to install foil behind your radiators on YouTube.
Temporary secondary glazing
A low-cost solution for single-glazed windows, adding a layer of transparent material to create a thermal barrier and improve insulation. Several types of temporary secondary glazing exist and can be removed once the winter period is over, to create a cooler home over summer.
Watch these two videos for guidance:
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
Allows you to control the temperature of individual radiators, reducing energy use in rooms that do not need constant heating. This helps lower your overall energy consumption. This video explains how radiator valves work, alongside handy tips.
Eco showerheads
Reduces water usage by mixing air with water, maintaining pressure while using less water. This can lead to lower energy bills, as less hot water is needed.
There's more information in this YouTube video about eco showerheads.
Tap aerator
Similar to eco showerheads, a tap aerator mixes air with water, reducing water flow while maintaining water pressure, therefore saving water and energy. This video shows you how to install a tap aerator.
LED lightbulbs
LEDs are far more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs, using a fraction of the energy. Switching to LED lightbulbs can save up to £65 a year.
you know that regular lightbulbs waste a significant amount of energy as heat? Swapping to LED’s next time your light blows can be a great way to reduce your energy usage.
Boiler jacket cover
Adding an insulation jacket to your hot water tank can help retain heat, reducing energy loss and saving you around £40 a year by reducing external heat loss. See how to do this with a handy video.
Pipe insulation
Insulating pipes help to prevent heat loss from hot water pipes, making your heating system more efficient and reducing energy costs.Get more advice by watching this pipe insulation video.
Chimney balloons
Inflatable balloon that blocks unused chimneys, preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from entering through the chimney. Find out how to install a chimney balloon.
Buy DIY items
DIY home energy improvements can be purchased from your local DIY shops or online. To find your local DIY shop visit our Construction Directory. Your local DIY and hardware shop can also offer advice on DIY and energy saving tips.
Rent DIY tools cheaply
Local lending libraries Things in Common and Library of Things provide DIY tools for Islington residents. Items can be rented for a fraction of the price compared with buying brand new and saves cluttering your home with tools you only need to use once or twice.
Switching to Smart Energy Meters
Smart meters help you take control of your energy use by showing how much electricity and gas you're using in real time. They come with an in-home display that shows your daily energy usage and costs, helping you identify which appliances or habits are using the most energy.
Smart meters also ensure you're billed accurately, as they automatically send meter readings to your energy supplier, eliminating the need for estimated bills.
Installation is free and is being rolled out by energy companies across the UK. To get one, contact your energy supplier directly.
- Private renters: Check your tenancy agreement first, you may need your landlord’s permission. However, landlords should not unreasonably refuse a request for a smart meter.
- Council tenants: Not all properties are suitable for smart meters, so check if you're unsure.
- Landlords: Ofgem recommends that tenants inform their landlord before arranging a smart meter installation. However, landlords should not unreasonably prevent it.
Additional advice and support
SHINE – Seasonal Health Intervention Network
SHINE provides free, tailored advice to help you stay warm, reduce your energy bills, and access grants for energy-saving improvements. Services include home visits from an Energy Doctor and support with energy-related issues.
Adult Community Learning (ACL) courses
ACL offers free courses focused on energy efficiency and practical ways to cut your energy bills. These sessions are ideal if you're looking to build your confidence in making small, impactful DIY home improvements.
Construction directory
Islington's construction directory links you with local retrofit contractors and suppliers. You can also find your local DIY and Hardware Shop for purchasing DIY energy saving improvements.
Historic England
Historic England is a public body that helps people care for England's historic environment. They have produced guidance on how to save energy in an older home: Save Energy and Reduce Carbon Footprint in an Old House | Historic England.
Shade the UK
Retrofitting doesn't just make a home warmer, if done correctly it can also help to support a cooler home in summer and prevent overheating. Overheating in cities is becoming increasingly common with climate change. A local organisation, Shade the UK, has developed a resource: Overheating Adaptation Guide for Homes — Shade the UK.
More resources
If you're interested in going further, here are some trusted resources with practical advice and inspiration: