Home Energy Measures
Understanding the many home energy measures available can help make your property warmer, more efficient and easier to manage. From heating controls and boiler advice to smart meters, heat pumps and energy-efficient appliances, LEAP has practical resources to help you understand your options and find support that may be available for your home.
Finding the right home energy measures
LEAP offers free energy advice for eligible households that may be struggling with energy costs or keeping their home warm. Through an energy advice call or home visit to eligible households, an advisor can help you understand your current energy use, check what support may be available and identify suitable next steps for your home.
Your Energy Performance Certificate can help you understand how efficient your home is and which improvements could make the biggest difference, so it’s a great start. This LEAP guide explains EPC ratings, common recommendations and how measures such as insulation, heating controls, renewables and draught-proofing can improve your home’s energy performance.
LEAP’s Energy Efficiency Guides bring together practical downloadable resources for using energy more effectively at home. This is a useful starting point if you want advice on smart meters, heat pumps, storage heaters, running costs, damp and mould or simple installation measures that can help improve home comfort.
Explore wider government support that may help with energy costs and energy-saving home improvements; schemes and relief linked to measures such as insulation and solar panels, alongside other forms of support that could help reduce pressure on household bills.
Heating Systems
The LEAP Boiler Scheme supports fuel-poor or vulnerable households, with repairs or replacements for broken or condemned boilers. Be sure to check the latest eligibility and referral information here, so you’re up to date on the availability of boiler support through LEAP.
This blog gives practical guidance on when to use your heating and what to do if your boiler stops working. It also features LEAP heating support, including boiler-related help and heating tune-up advice; a useful starting point if you’re worried about warmth, comfort or rising energy costs.
Boiler flow temperature can affect how efficiently some heating systems run. This LEAP blog explains what flow temperature means, why lowering it may help some homes use less energy and when to be cautious. It is especially useful if you have a condensing combi boiler and/or adjustable heating controls.
A regular boiler service can help reduce the risk of breakdowns, improve safety and keep your heating system working as efficiently as possible. This article explains why it is sensible to check your boiler before colder weather arrives and how maintenance can support comfort, reliability and energy efficiency.
Low-Carbon And Electric Heating
Air source heat pumps are becoming a more common low-carbon heating option for UK homes. This LEAP blog explains how they work, how they use outside air to heat your home and why insulation, steady settings and good controls are important for getting the best performance from your system.
This downloadable LEAP guide is designed to help households understand and use an air source heat pump more confidently. It is especially useful if you already have a system installed or are considering whether this type of heating is right for you.
Storage heaters can be efficient when they are set up and used correctly, particularly in homes with suitable off-peak electricity arrangements. This LEAP guide explains how storage heaters work, what input and output controls do and how to avoid unnecessary use of expensive top-up heating.
Quantum storage heaters have more advanced controls than older storage heaters, including timer settings, temperature controls and boost functions. This LEAP guide explains how to use those settings properly, helping households stay warm while avoiding unnecessary electricity use from higher-cost boost or peak-rate heating.
Smart Meters and IHDs
Smart meters can help you understand your energy use and make bills more accurate by sending readings automatically to your supplier. This LEAP guide explains what smart meters do, how they work, why they can be helpful and how to start the process of getting one installed.
A smart meter and an in-home display are connected, but they are not the same thing. This LEAP blog explains the difference between the meter on the wall and the display screen in your home, helping you understand readings, track spending and use energy data more effectively.
Some older electricity meters use the Radio Teleswitch Service to switch between peak and off-peak rates, particularly in homes with electric heating or storage heaters. This LEAP guide explains the RTS switchover, who may be affected and why households should respond to supplier messages about meter replacement.
LEAP’s downloadable smart meter guides explain smart meter basics, safety, data, installation and how to request an upgrade. Separate versions are available for England and Scotland, making this a helpful resource for households that want a simple step-by-step guide they can save, print or share.
Smart meter guide (England and Wales) Smart meter guide (Scotland)
Energy efficient appliances
LEAP supports eligible households with energy-efficient appliance replacements, subject to eligibility, suitability and availability. This page explains how the scheme works, how referrals are made and what households should know before delivery or installation. It is the main starting point for appliance support through LEAP.
Here’s a complete list of appliances currently available through the LEAP Appliance Scheme, including fridge-freezers, fridges, freezers, air fryers and winter-only items such as heated clothes airers and dehumidifiers. It is useful for checking available options, size details and key product information before or after an energy advice appointment.
Replacing an old, inefficient appliance can make everyday energy use easier to manage. This LEAP blog breaks down the appliance scheme in plain English, including how the process works, what households can expect and why appliance replacement can be an important part of wider energy support.
Energy labels can be confusing, especially since the A-G scale changed. This LEAP article explains what appliance ratings mean, why the kWh figure is important and how to compare running costs more confidently. It is useful for anyone choosing or replacing a fridge, freezer or other household appliance.
Finding the right home energy measures with LEAP
Every home is different, so the right energy measures will depend on your property, heating system, appliances, meter type, household needs and eligibility for support. A LEAP energy advice call or home visit can help you understand where energy may be wasted, what changes could improve comfort and which schemes or referrals may be suitable.
During your appointment, a qualified advisor can talk through your bills, heating controls and home energy use. They may also be able to assess whether you could be eligible for additional help, such as appliance support, insulation or other larger energy efficiency measures. This gives you a clearer route from general advice to practical action.
FAQs
The best home energy improvements depend on your property and how you use energy. Common measures include improving heating controls, servicing or upgrading heating systems, using smart meter data, replacing inefficient appliances and improving insulation where suitable. LEAP can help you understand your home, compare options and identify support that may be available.
LEAP may be able to advise on boiler support, but availability, eligibility and referral rules can change. The LEAP Boiler Scheme page explains current scheme information and whether support is open. If your boiler is broken, unsafe or inefficient, applying for LEAP energy advice is a good first step to understand your options.
Heat pumps can be efficient because they move heat rather than generate it directly, but running costs depend on your home, insulation, controls, electricity tariff and how the system is used. They usually work best when heating steadily at lower temperatures. LEAP’s heat pump resources explain how to use them effectively and avoid wasted energy.
A smart meter does not save energy by itself, but it can help you understand what you use and when. Paired with an in-home display, it can show usage and spending in near real time, reduce estimated bills and help you spot patterns. That information can support better energy habits and budgeting.
LEAP’s appliance support is designed for eligible households and is subject to suitability, stock and scheme rules. Access is normally considered after a LEAP Energy Advice Service appointment or approved referral. The scheme focuses on replacing old, inefficient appliances such as fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers with more efficient alternatives where appropriate.