Home energy efficiency

Overview of Home Energy Efficiency

Home energy use accounts for 15% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and one quarter of the emissions in Three Rivers.

Services, grants and guidance

Free independent advice is available to residents of Three Rivers through the Home Energy Support Service (0800 107 0044). 

Find information about funding and grants for home energy efficiency improvements here.

Access a free guide to retrofitting your home from the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership which details the cost, energy and carbon savings associated with retrofitting seven typical property types in the county.

General information

Almost two-thirds of properties in Three Rivers are energy inefficient, with EPC ratings below a C. These homes will be harder to keep warm, have higher energy bills, and emit more CO2 into the atmosphere compared with their more efficient neighbours.

Improving your home’s energy efficiency through insulation and renewable energy technologies can deliver a variety of benefits to you and help our planet too.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home can:

• Significantly reduce heat loss
• Reduce your energy bills
• Keep you warm in winter, and cool in summer
• Lower your carbon footprint
• Improve your property’s EPC rating, making it more attractive to buyers

There are many things you can do to stay warm at home and lower your energy bills:

• Insulating your roof, floor and walls
• Draught-proofing windows and doors
• Upgrading your heating system to an energy efficient boiler or a heat pump (check if a heat pump is suitable for your home here)
• Installing double or triple glazing
• Using renewable sources of energy, such as solar power
• Check your EPC or have one carried out to get personalised recommendations.
• The Government’s website can give you tailored recommendations for home improvements – visit: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

Advice and Information on Energy Efficiency:

Three Rivers Home Energy Support Service provided by the National Energy Foundation’s Better Housing Better Health programme, is a free helpline open to all Three Rivers residents.

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 efficiency grants

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

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 - Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council are working alongside the National Energy Foundation (the managing agent) to deliver grants to eligible residents. This scheme offers eligible households fully funded energy efficiency improvements worth up to £30,000 per eligible home.
• Funding for Cavity Wall and Loft Insulation - Three Rivers District Council's partnered scheme with E.ON Next offers eligible residents free or partly-funded cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation through the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) to improve the warmth of homes and lower energy bills.

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

• The Great British Insulation Scheme – Under this national scheme, eligible households can get a fully- or partly-funded single insulation measure. The scheme is open to homeowners, landlords, and tenants (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply.
• 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/

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. 

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.

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 Schedule 2, Part 14 of the GPDO 2015.

• 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 will require planning permission and in some instances listed building consent.

Installation of solar panels

The most popular renewable energy developments are solar panels. Before erecting solar panels to your property it is important that you ensure you meet all the conditions within Class A of Part 14 of the GPDO which can be found below at:

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)

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.

In addition, it is necessary to meet the requirements of a number of conditions including whether the equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and on the amenity of the area. This is a judgement that would be made by planning officers and it could have implications for properties within Conservation Areas where solar panels are proposed to the front roofslope. If you have concerns in respect of this condition, it is advisable to submit a lawful development certificate or a pre-application. 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)

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)

Further guidance

You can view Interactive Guides to ascertain whether planning permission would be required for particular works.

Guidance Note on External Wall Insulation (PDF)

Guidance on Permitted Developments (PDF)

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.