When it comes to keeping your home cosy through the colder months without your LPG bills going through the roof, good insulation is the secret ingredient. A well-insulated home holds onto its heat far more efficiently, meaning those chilly draughts stay outside where they belong. By reducing heat loss, your home stays warmer for longer, and your LPG boiler doesn’t have to work overtime to keep things at a comfortable temperature.
The result? Lower energy use, fewer emissions, and more money left in your pocket – a win-win all round!
Whether you live in a charming countryside cottage or a more modern build, there are plenty of simple, cost-effective ways to improve insulation, prevent heat loss, and make your LPG go further. In this blog, we’re going to look at some of the most effective ways in which you can improve your home’s insulation, reduce your LPG consumption, and make your home energy-efficient all year round, reducing your carbon footprint.
Heat rises – don’t let it escape
Let’s start at the top – quite literally. It’s no surprise that a big chunk of the heat in an uninsulated home disappears upwards and escapes through the roof. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, around a quarter of all heat loss in a typical uninsulated home escapes through the roof. That’s a lot of warmth, and LPG, going to waste!
The good news? Adding or topping up your loft insulation is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make an immediate difference. It helps trap in the heat you’ve already paid for, keeping your home cosy for longer and reducing how hard your boiler has to work.
Aim for around 270mm (10 to 11inches) of insulation material for best results. There’s a wide range of insulation materials to choose from, from traditional fibreglass and mineral wool, to more eco-friendly options like foam boards, cork or wood fibre.
If your loft is easy to access and free from damp, you can usually install insulation rolls yourself, although for trickier spaces, it’s best to call an expert. Speak to a professional if you have a flat roof or converted loft, or have concerns about damp or structural issues. They’ll make sure it’s done safely and effectively, so you can enjoy the benefits without any headaches later.
Some homeowners may be eligible for grants to help cover the cost of loft insulation. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) runs until the end of March 2026, offering up to £15,000 in grants for energy-efficient home improvements. Click here to check your eligibility.
A little insulation up top can make a big difference downstairs – helping your home stay snug, your LPG bills stay sensible, and your energy efficiency soar.
Wall Insulation: a smart Investment
Once you’ve tackled your roof, it’s time to turn your attention to another major culprit for heat loss – your walls.
About a third of all heat in an insulated home escapes this way, meaning your LPG boiler has to work much harder, and use more fuel, just to keep things cosy.
The good news is that cavity wall insulation can make a huge difference, helping your home retain warmth and reducing your LPG consumption in the process.
If your home was built after the 1990s, there’s a good chance it already has cavity insulation. But if your property is a bit older, you can still enjoy the same benefits. A professional can inject insulation into the gap between your walls, cutting heat loss by as much as 35% and helping you feel the difference almost immediately.
For solid-wall homes, as there’s no cavity to fill, things have to be done differently. Internal or external wall insulation can make a huge difference, and while it’s a bigger cost upfront, it pays off over time with lower LPG usage, fewer draughts, and a much more consistent indoor temperature and comfortable living space – especially in those hard-to-heat rooms.
Stop the sneaky draughts
Even the most charming country home can have sneaky draughts that push up your LPG usage! Windows and doors are often common culprits – tiny gaps can let out more warmth than you think.
Double or triple glazing will cut down heat loss, and make your home more energy efficient. But if that’s not an option and not within your budget, simple fixes like draught excluders under doors, window film, and sealant strips around window frames work wonders and trap heat inside where it belongs.
The small things often add up to the biggest savings – so seal up and keep that warmth in.
Insulate pipes and hot water cylinders
When you think about insulation, your mind might not immediately think about pipes and hot water cylinders. Properly wrapping these can prevent a surprising amount of heat from escaping, helping your heating system run more efficiently, reducing unnecessary LPG consumption, and preventing frozen pipes.
One of the simplest ways to do this is with a hot water cylinder jacket. It’s quick to install, cost-effective, and can cut heat loss by up to 75% according to Liquid Gas UK, the Trade Association for the liquid gas industry in the UK - delivering long-term savings on your energy bills for less than the cost of a takeaway!
Insulating your pipes also means hot water reaches your taps faster, so you waste less energy waiting for it to heat up. It’s a small change that has a big impact – keeping your home warm, your system efficient, and your LPG usage under control.
The heat beneath your feet
If you’ve ever felt a chilly draught coming up from your floorboards, you’re definitely not imagining it. Adding insulation beneath suspended wooden floors can make a big difference to how warm your home feels, bringing both comfort and LPG efficiency.
Even simpler measures, like putting down rugs or carpets, can make a surprising difference, and add a cosy touch to your living space. Not only will you feel the benefit underfoot, but your LPG boiler will notice it too, as it won’t need to work as hard to keep your rooms at a comfortable temperature.
Little effort, big rewards
When it comes to saving energy and cutting LPG usage, it’s not always about big home improvements, sometimes the little things add up – even small everyday changes can make the biggest difference. A few simple tweaks around your home can add up to noticeable savings on your energy bills while keeping things cosy and comfortable.
Start with the basics: close curtains as soon as the sun goes down to trap in warmth. Go one step further with thermal-lined curtains that act like an extra layer of insulation, and help to stop heat escaping through your windows.
You can also fit reflective radiator panels behind radiators that sit on external walls – a clever, low-cost trick that bounces heat back into the room instead of letting it seep through walls.
Individually, these might sound like small wins, but together they can make a real difference – helping your home stay warmer for longer, and easing the strain on your LPG boiler, all whilst saving you money all winter long.
Final thoughts – stay warm, save energy
At the end of the day, improving your home’s insulation isn’t just about comfort – it’s about creating a home that’s more efficient, sustainable, and affordable to run. Every little change adds up, whether it’s topping up your loft insulation, sealing up those sneaky draughts, or simply pulling the curtains closed earlier on chilly evenings,
Every improvement helps your LPG go further, reduces your energy bills, and makes your home snug - all year round. Another important step is having your boiler serviced regularly by a GAS SAFE registered engineer which can prolong the life of your LPG boiler. A well-maintained boiler runs more efficiently, uses less fuel, and reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, and carbon monoxide – keeping your family and your heating system safe, reliable, and cost-effective and helping you get the most from your LPG system.
And remember, if you’d like some friendly, expert advice about your usage or making your LPG system run more efficiently, at Northern Energy Gas, we’re always here to help.
We’re just a phone call away - call our friendly team on 01423 772 789 and we’d be delighted to chat, and help you make the most of your energy.