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We are launching a community-wide effort to reduce our energy bills, decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, and help the environment. As part of this effort, we are working with many of our neighbours to showcase open ecohomes and collectively learn what can be done in our area, and how to have more impact by doing it jointly.

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How can I cut my energy bills and do my bit for the environment as a Hassock and Ditchling resident? 

Come and visit our open eco homes for ideas! But in the meantime, join many neighbours who are taking action right now to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, please consider these options. There are practical steps you can take whatever your budget - from £20 DIY fixes to a full low-carbon home retrofit. This guide brings together trusted advice from local Sussex-based climate or energy groups, councils and national energy experts. 

 

1. If you have a very small budget or are on low income

You do not need thousands of pounds to make an immediate difference. 

1. Stop heat escaping

• Use draught excluders around doors

• Seal gaps around windows

• Close curtains at dusk

• Add reflective foil behind radiators on external walls

• Block unused chimneys safely

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1. Turn your heating down slightly

In the winter months, turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can reduce heating bills while still keeping your home comfortable. In addition, Set timers around your real schedule, heat rooms you use the most and avoid heating empty rooms and bleed radiators if they are cold at the top. 

2.  Switch to LED bulbs

LED lighting uses far less electricity and lasts much longer than older bulbs.

3.  Check your tariff

Many households are still on poor-value tariffs. Compare deals regularly and ask suppliers about: fixed tariffs, time of use tariffs and cheaper overnight electricity. Review tariffs regularly and consider renewable electricity tariffs. 

4.  Borrow or share equipment locally

Community groups such as ours and others are offering thermal camera loans, energy advice sessions and repair cafes https://ovesco.co.uk/energy-advice/ 

 

5.  Not wasting water is also important to reduce your climate impacts & to save money - not just from your water bill if it is metered, but also the energy you use to heat your hot water. Inserting aerators in taps and getting flow limiters for showers can save water with very little impact on your life. You can even get them free from South East water! 

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For a detailed breakdown on how much you can save, see Lewes Climate Hub calculations. 

 

If you are on low income, you could also look into Warm Homes and other local grants to achieve substantial support for insulation, solar panels, heating upgrades, heat pumps and ventilation improvements. Some schemes can fund improvements worth tens of thousands of pounds. In addition,  the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme supports low-income and vulnerable households with insulation and heating improvements. 

Eligibility often depends on household income, benefits received, EPC rating, heating type and council tax band. Please find more info on the WCSS website. The Energy Savings Trust has specific information for disabled people. 

 

6. If you have some budget i.e. £10,000 to invest

You can achieve major savings. The key principle is: insulate first, then upgrade heating systems. 

One of the cheapest and highest impact upgrades is loft insulation. This can be done by professionals or as DYI (but please follow expert advice, please find some on our website here). For homes that are suitable, cavity wall insulation is a great option, suitable for many post-war homes. Smart thermostats and zoned heating systems help reduce energy waste. Changing windows to double, triple of secondary glazing is also an option (can be cheaper and works well in older homes).

Solar Photovoltaic panels can reduce daytime electricity bills. Heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes. Grants can reduce installation costs significantly. But many retrofit experts warn against installing expensive low-carbon heating before improving insulation first.

 

7. What other grants are available? 

Homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating systems may be eligible for government support towards heat pumps. Many schemes are aimed at homes with EPC ratings of D–G. For more information, have a look at the (add links)

• • Energy Saving Trust grants guide

  • West Sussex Energy

  • Warm East Sussex

  • Transition Town Lewes funding guide

 

8.  Are you a lucky one who can splash out on a full eco-refurbishment? 

Great, then you can be a pioneer in our community, showing what’s possible and we can all aim for over time. A whole-house retrofit can dramatically cut bills and carbon emissions while making homes healthier and more comfortable. This is especially important in older Hassock and Ditchling housing stock, where heat loss can be significant. A comprehensive retrofit may include: 

Fabric-first insulation

• external wall insulation

• internal wall insulation

• floor insulation

• roof insulation

• airtightness improvements

Low-carbon heating

• air source heat pumps

• ground source heat pumps (if there is a large amount of land available)

• underfloor heating

• hot water cylinder upgrades

Renewable electricity

• solar PV

• battery storage

• Electric Vehicle charging

Smart energy systems

• smart controls

• battery optimisation

• flexible tariffs

 

Avoid common retrofit mistakes

Do not rush into heat pumps without insulation. Most experts recommend improving insulation first.

Beware of “one-size-fits-all” solutions. Victorian cottages, 1930s semis and modern estates all need different approaches.

Get independent advice. Community energy groups can help residents avoid poor installations and misleading sales tactics. 

Plan the whole house together. The best retrofits treat the house as a complete system. 

Do not forget ventilation! Well insulated homes need proper ventilation to avoid condensation and mould.

Remember, the cheapest energy is the energy you never use. Whether you can spend £50 or £50,000, improving your home’s energy efficiency can reduce bills, improve comfort, cut damp and mould, protect against future energy price rises. And, how could we forget…cut carbon emissions!