Thinking of cutting your energy bills and carbon footprint, but not sure where to start? If you can only do one upgrade at a time, here’s a sensible order, and how to decide what’s right for your home.
1. Insulation and the basics first
Before any big-ticket system, make sure your home holds heat: loft and cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing and a smart thermostat. These are cheap, often grant-funded, and make every other upgrade work better.
2. Solar panels, fastest payback
Solar panels typically pay back in around 10 years and then generate free electricity for 15+ more, helped by 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee. If you have a sunny roof and a budget of ~£6,500, solar is usually the best-value first move.
3. Heat pump, biggest grant, best for the right home
A heat pump attracts the largest single grant, £7,500 from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and runs cleaner than gas. It works best in a well-insulated home; pair it with insulation for the lowest running costs. Try our heat pump cost calculator to see the net price after the grant.
4. New boiler, if a heat pump isn’t right yet
If your boiler is on its last legs and a heat pump isn’t feasible, a modern A-rated boiler is the sensible fallback, and low-income households may get one free.
So which first?
For most homes: insulation → solar → heat pump. But it depends on your roof, insulation, budget and how long you’ll stay. Compare free quotes using the form above, or use our energy cost guides and calculators to plan.