After the news that June 2023 was the hottest June worldwide since records began, new analysis from How To Save It shows that Britons could save money by insulating their homes in the summer as well as winter.

With increasing summer temperatures, air conditioning use is projected to increase across the UK in the coming years. If installed, the typical household would spend £96 per month on air conditioning, totalling £288 over the summer months.

That air conditioning may be unnecessary however if homes are properly insulated. Insulating homes regulates temperature across the year by slowing the process of heat moving through walls. This not only retains heat in the winter, but also keeps homes cooler for longer in the summer.

During the winter, improving energy efficiency in homes through loft and cavity wall insulation can save households up to £975 in energy costs. If that insulation also negates the need for costly air conditioning, households’ total savings would increase by 30% to over £1250.

Will Hodson, consumer champion at How To Save It, said:

“Insulation is a money saver for all seasons. With the cost of heating high and air conditioning an extra expense, there has never been a stronger case for Britons to insulate their homes.”

“Soaring energy use goes to the very heart of the cost of living crisis – and scorching summers will make it worse. We need our political parties to produce a comprehensive national insulation scheme without further delay.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The Met Office (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66084543) recorded the hottest June since records began (average 15.8C) exceeding previous highest June temperatures (1940,1976) by 0.9C

• The UK Energy Research Centre (https://ukerc.ac.uk/publications/domestic-air-conditioning-in-2050) estimates that air conditioning penetration could reach 32% by 2050 in the UK

• Evergreen Air Conditioning (https://www.evergreenaircon.co.uk/2022/05/10/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-an-air) said running an air conditioning unit of up to 10kw costs 38p per hour, and an average person is said to use their air con for around 18mins in the day and 4hr48mins at night, adding up to £24 per week per household, totalling £288 over a month.

• The Energy Saving Trust (July 2023) (https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation) says installing loft insulation can save up to £475 per year, and installing cavity wall insulation can save up to £500 per year.

• Upgrading energy efficiency of homes could remove the need to install air conditioning, saving households £288 in the summer months and £975 in the winter months, totalling up to £1,263 amount of savings per household per year. £288 is 30% of £975.

• National Energy Action (July 2023) (https://www.nea.org.uk/news/uk-government-energy-support-ends-for-over-20-million-households-tomorrow-leaving-6-6-million-in-fuel-poverty/#:~:text=Tomorrow (1 July) 6.6 million,longer get energy bill support.) reported 6.6 million UK households in fuel poverty.

About How To Save It

How To Save It is a consumer campaign to bring down Britain’s bills.

How To Save It’s director, Will Hodson, previously ran Look After My Bills, an automatic energy switching service that was acquired by GoCompare and grew to almost 1m members.

Will Hodson is available for comment on 07580 024303

will@howtosaveit.org

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