Home energy efficiency

Overview of Home Energy Efficiency

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can help you save money, stay warm in winter, and make your home more comfortable all year round.

Get started in three simple steps

1. Try a quick win today

• Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
• Use draught excluders around doors and windows
• Get a quote for solar installation if you are a homeowner or landlord

Small changes can start saving you money straight away.

2. Check what your home needs

• Look at your insulation (loft, walls, windows)
• Find out your home’s energy rating
• Check out our Heat Pump checklist to prepare for boiler replacements

This helps you focus on the changes that will save the most money.

3. Grant support for bigger improvements

If your EPC is D or below and you have a household income under £35,000 you may be able to access support for:

• Insulation and heating upgrades
• Solar panels or renewable energy

Some upgrades can significantly cut your bills over time.

Advice and information on home energy

Three Rivers Home Energy Support Service is a free helpline for all residents to recieve advice and support on grants, energy saving, energy suppliers and more.

The service offers:

• Help finding and applying to the latest council schemes and grants for energy efficiency upgrades
• Independent, expert advice on energy saving
• Help finding and switching to the best value energy suppliers and tariffs
• Support discovering additional income through eligible benefits and discounts

For free, impartial support and advice on energy saving, energy bills, and energy efficiency improvements:

Call: 0800 107 0044

Email: bhbh@nef.org.uk

The Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation providing impartial advice and tips on saving energy in your home.

Simple Energy Advice is a government-endorsed website that provides advice on how to save energy and reduce your energy bills.

You can also contact the Citizens Advice Bureau in Three Rivers for free, independent and confidential advice:

• South Oxhey – Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm 0208 515 8321
• Rickmansworth – Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm 01923 293 136
• Abbots Langley – Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm 01923 271 707
• Hertfordshire (county wide) Advice Line: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm 0800 144 8848

Home energy grants

Three Rivers residents may be eligible for grant funding to help improve the health and comfort of their homes and save money on their energy bills.

There are a wide range of grant schemes available to help upgrade the energy efficiency of homes in Three Rivers - some grant schemes are partnered directly with Three Rivers District Council, while others are not.

Grant schemes partnered with Three Rivers District Council:

• Warm Homes Local Grant -  this scheme offers eligible households fully funded energy efficiency improvements worth up to £30,000 per eligible home.
• Council Fuel Poverty Grant - small grants available for energy efficiency upgrades to qualifying privately owned and privately rented homes.
• Funding for Cavity Wall and Loft Insulation - Three Rivers District Council's partnered scheme with E.ON Next has now closed.

Other grants and funding available (not affiliated with Three Rivers District Council):

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme - Through the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems (oil, gas, or electric) with a low-carbon heat pump or biomass boiler.

Be Fraud Aware:

Please be aware that council officers will never cold-call you, and will never visit your home without communicating this with you in advance. If you are in any doubt about whether a contact attempt from the council is genuine, please contact our Customer Service Centre directly on 01923 776611. Details of the energy efficiency schemes the council is involved in delivering with our approved partners, are published on our website.

You can report fraud incidents to Action Fraud, by calling: 0300 123 2040 or visiting https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Fairer Warmth online tool – personalised free energy support

Cut your energy bills and stay comfortable at home

If your home feels cold, expensive to heat, or hard to manage, you’re not alone. Many homes in Three Rivers lose heat quickly, which can lead to higher energy bills and less comfortable living conditions.

The good news is that free, personalised support is available to help you take control of your energy use, reduce costs, and make your home warmer.

What you can get (for free)

Through the Fairer Warmth service, you can access:

• Tailored advice to lower your energy bills based on your home and lifestyle
• Help finding grants and funding for insulation, heating upgrades, or renewable energy
• Support switching to better-value energy tariffs
• Guidance on benefits, discounts, and financial support you may be entitled to

Everything is independent and focused on helping you save money and stay warm.

How this helps you

Residents who improve their home energy efficiency can:

• Spend less on heating and electricity bills
• Enjoy a warmer home in winter and cooler home in summer
• Reduce draughts and cold spots
• Increase the value and comfort of their home

Even small changes or advice can make a noticeable difference to your monthly costs.

Planning permission for energy efficiency improvements

In some cases, energy-saving improvements may require planning permission, particularly in Conservation Areas or Listed Buildings. If you are planning to install energy efficiency measures that alter the exterior appearance of your property, such as external wall insulation, solar panels, or double glazing, it is best to check they are “permitted development” (meaning they do not require planning permission) with the Three Rivers planning department.

Renewable energy developments

The following list of renewable energy developments are generally automatically granted planning permission by the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended), otherwise known as ‘permitted development’. However, importantly, each development must comply with any condition or limitation within the relevant part of the permitted development order (see: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/14). In some cases this still requires seeking the council’s prior approval before any works take place.

• Solar panels
• Stand-alone solar equipment
• Installation of ground source heat pumps
• Installation of flue for biomass heating system
• Installation of flue for combined heat and power
• Installation of air source heat pumps
• Installation of wind turbine on domestic premises

If your house is a Listed Building you may require planning permission and in some instances Listed Building Consent.

Planning rules regarding these installations do change from time to time, so you are advised to seek advice before committing to any works. The Planning Portal website contains guidance on when planning permission may or may not be required for these projects – see: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/sustainability-and-planning/home-energy-generation/introduction.

Installation of solar panels

The most popular renewable energy developments are solar panels. In most cases, planning permission may not be required for domestic solar panels.

Panels are usually classed as permitted development if they:

• Do not project more than 200mm from the roof
• Are installed to minimise visual impact

Extra considerations may apply for Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas.

Before installing solar panels to your property, it is important that you ensure you meet all the conditions within Class A of Part 14 of the permitted development order. The Planning Portal has guidance on this at: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/solar-panels/planning-permission.

Class A allows for installation subject to certain criteria, relating to how far the equipment would protrude beyond the wall or roof and whether it would be higher than the main roof. In Conservation Areas, the equipment cannot be installed on a wall which fronts a highway.

If you have concerns in respect of this condition, it is advisable to submit a lawful development certificate or a pre-application.

If you are in any doubt regarding whether your development triggers a requirement for planning permission please contact the Planning department via the free Householder Duty Planning Service.

The full permitted development rules can be found at: The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (legislation.gov.uk).

External Wall Insulation

In many cases, installing external wall insulation onto a house does not need planning permission from the local planning authority, because permission has already been granted by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, as amended (“the Order”). However, even where it is permitted development, the external wall insulation must comply with the requirements of the Order.

Class A of Part 1 to Schedule 2 of the Order provides permitted development rights for the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a house. The addition of external wall insulation falls within the definition of “the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a house” and is therefore capable of constituting permitted development.

The Government’s Permitted Development Technical Guidance document (September 2019) confirms that “The installation of solid wall insulation constitutes an improvement rather than an enlargement or extension to the house and is not caught by the provisions of (e), (f), (g), (h) and (j)”. The relevant part of the Order can be viewed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/1/crossheading/class-a-enlargement-improvement-or-other-alteration-of-a-dwellinghouse.

External wall insulation which is permitted by Class A must comply with the following condition:

• the materials used in any exterior work (other than materials used in the construction of a conservatory) must be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the existing dwellinghouse;

Overall, the aim should be to ensure that the addition of external wall insulation is in-keeping with the character of the area and the existing property. In addition, where properties have existing detailed features, such as date stones, brick detailing and soldier courses in contrasting materials, decorative brickwork at corners or around windows, or transitions between render and brickwork, these features should be retained and/or replicated.

Permitted development rights relating to external wall insulation do not apply to properties situated in Conservation Areas and the Chilterns National Landscape (formerly AONB), or to flats. Where permitted development rights do not apply, a planning application is required for the installation of external wall insulation. Furthermore, if your property is a Listed Building, Listed Building Consent would be required.

Further guidance

• You can view Interactive Guides to ascertain whether planning permission would be required for particular works.
• Further guidance on the different type of roof integrated solar panels and useful heritage advice can be found at: Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: Solar Electric (Photovoltaics) (historicengland.org.uk)
• Government Technical Guidance on Permitted Development
• A guide to greening your home (PDF)

Solar panels and batteries: what residents need to know

Solar panels and battery storage can be installed together or separately. Many households start with solar panels and add a battery later — others choose to install both at the same time for maximum benefit.

Typical journey:

1. Check your roof and electricity use
2. Confirm planning rules (often no permission needed)
3. Get quotes from MCS-certified installers
4. Consider a battery if budget allows

Most households complete the process in a few weeks.

Installing solar panels on your home is one of the most effective ways to cut energy bills, increase energy independence and future‑proof your property. Thousands of households across Hertfordshire already have rooftop solar, and uptake in Three Rivers is growing.

This page explains how solar works, whether your home is suitable, what permissions you need, and how to get started safely.

Why consider solar panels?

Solar panels can help you to:

• Reduce electricity bills
• Protect yourself from energy price rises
• Power an electric vehicle more cheaply
• Increase your home’s value and future-proof it

Solar works well on most owner-occupied homes with a clear roof, especially detached and semi-detached properties.

Why add a battery?

A battery allows you to:

• Use more of the electricity your panels generate
• Reduce reliance on the grid in the evening
• Make better use of smart electricity tariffs
• Increase resilience during power cuts (with suitable systems)

Without a battery, surplus solar electricity is exported to the grid during the day.

Installing solar and batteries together

Installing solar panels and a battery at the same time can:

• Increase bill savings
• Reduce installation costs compared to adding later
• Simplify wiring and equipment choices
• Make your home ready for EV charging or a heat pump

Many households choose this option if budget allows.

Installing solar or a battery separately

You do not need to install both at once:

• Solar panels can be installed first, with a battery added later
• Batteries can be added to existing solar systems
• Some households install a battery first to work with smart tariffs

If you plan to add a battery later, tell your installer so the system is designed to be expandable.

Do I need planning permission?

In most cases, planning permission may not be required for domestic solar panels.

Panels are usually classed as permitted development if they:

• Do not project more than 200mm from the roof
• Are installed to minimise visual impact

Extra considerations may apply for listed buildings or conservation areas.

You can use our free household duty planning service to find out if planning permission will be required.

Costs and value

Typical costs vary depending on system size and whether you include a battery.

Key points:

• There is no VAT on domestic solar and batteries
• Solar-only systems usually have the lowest up-front cost
• Batteries increase savings but add to initial costs

Installers should provide clear estimates of total costs, savings and payback periods.

Smart tariffs and export payments

Households with solar and batteries often use:

• Smart export tariffs, paying for surplus electricity
• Time-of-use tariffs, charging batteries when electricity is cheaper

Tariffs change regularly. Your installer or energy supplier can advise.

Choosing an installer safely

The council does not recommend individual installers, but you should:

• Use an MCS-certified installer
• Get at least three quotes
• Ask about warranties and aftercare

MCS certification protects consumers and is required for export payments.

Next steps

1. Check whether your roof is suitable
2. Decide whether to install solar, a battery, or both
3. Get quotes from MCS-certified installers
4. Look out for group-buying opportunities

Solar panels and batteries are proven technologies that can help households in Three Rivers save money and take control of their energy use.

Heat Pumps: what residents need to know

A heat pump is an energy efficient low-carbon heating system that captures heat from outside and transfers it to your home.

There are many different types of heat pump, the two most common types are air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the air whereas ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) absorb heat from the ground. Once heat is absorbed from the environment (the air or the ground), it is transferred to a fluid, which is then compressed to increase its temperature. This heat is then transferred from the compressed fluid into your home’s central heating system (in an air-to-water or ground-to-water heat pump), or passed into hot air blowers (in an air-to-air heat pump).

Benefits of Heat Pumps:

• Heat pumps produce around 3 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, making them up to 4x more efficient than gas or oil boilers
• As heat pumps run on electricity instead of burning fossil fuels, they have a lower environmental impact. They can emit up to 70% less carbon dioxide over 15 years compared to gas boilers
• With an average lifespan of 20 years, heat pumps often last longer than traditional gas boilers
• Air-to-air heat pumps can provide both heating during winter and cooling (air conditioning) during summer
• If you are using oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or electric heating, you could see a reduction to your energy bill if you switch to a heat pump

Funding for Heat Pumps:

If you are eligible for the council’s Warm Homes Local Grant, you could get a heat pump (and other energy-saving home upgrades) for FREE.

The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers property owners £7,500 capital grants towards the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps.

Guidance for your home:

Heat pumps are especially suited to homes that are already well insulated, are off the gas-grid (using electric storage heaters, oil, liquefied petroleum gas, or coal to heat a home), or those with old heating systems needing replacement.

• Check if your home is suitable for a heat pump: https://www.gov.uk/check-heat-pump
• Prepare your home for a heat pump before your boiler breaks – see our handy checklist (PDF)

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Energy Performance Certificates are needed whenever a domestic or commercial property is built, sold, or rented. An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and gives the property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The EPC is valid for 10 years and details recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.

To view your property’s EPC visit: Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK.

If your property doesn’t have an EPC, you can find out how to get one here: Getting a new energy certificate – GOV.UK.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for Landlords:

The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties.

Since 1st April 2020, landlords of domestic privately rented properties can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.

This means F and G rated properties cannot be rented in most circumstances.

Penalties of up to £5,000 can be issued by Local Authorities to landlords found to be letting properties in breach of the MEES Regulations.

Guidance for landlords is available from the Government and provides full details on the MEES requirements, enforcement and penalties, and registering an exemption.

Solar Together - buying solar panels and battery storage made easy

The scheme for 2025 is now closed. 

Three Rivers District Council has committed to reaching net-zero carbon by 2030 for council operations, and by 2045 for the district. To achieve this, we need the help and support of Three Rivers residents. Installing solar panels can reduce your carbon footprint by generating your own renewable energy.

Districts across Hertfordshire have partnered with independent experts in group-buying, iChoosr Ltd, to bring this opportunity to local homeowners.

Solar Together Hertfordshire is an innovative new scheme offering high-quality solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage. It is a group-buying scheme, which brings households in Hertfordshire together to get high-quality solar panels at a competitive price, helping you through the process and keeping you informed at every stage.

Planning Permission

Solar PV installations are considered a 'permitted development' and will generally not need planning permission. However, in some cases, such as in Conservation Areas and on Listed Buildings, planning permission may be required. For planning advice please visit Renewable energy developments.

Do you already have solar panels installed? You can also register to have battery storage added to your existing solar panels to maximise the benefits of your system.

You can register today at solartogether.co.uk/Hertfordshire

Further support

If you are on a lower income there may be funding schemes available to fully cover the cost of installing energy efficiency measures, such as solar PV panels, to your home. If you are interested in funding schemes for energy efficiency measures, please contact the Home Energy Support Service and enquire about grant funding for energy efficiency improvements:

Call: 0800 107 0044

Email: bhbh@nef.org.uk

Online form: https://www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral/

You can also visit the grants page of our website to explore the funding available for home energy efficiency upgrades, locally.