Energy saving advice

Before you generate energy, make sure you're not wasting it.

From loft and room-in-roof insulation to smart heating controls and electric storage heaters — we identify the most cost-effective improvements for your property, help you access every grant you're entitled to, and install the measures ourselves.

Request a Free Energy Review →Check Grant Eligibility Get a Quote

TrustMark RegisteredPAS 2030 CertifiedECO4 Approved on qualifying measuresIndependent advice — not commission-driven5-Year Workmanship Warranty

*The 5-Year Workmanship Warranty covers Alliant's own installation and labour — distinct from any manufacturer product or performance warranty, which covers the equipment itself.

Why fabric-first matters

A solar panel on a draughty house is just a more expensive draughty house.

The energy efficiency industry has a sequencing problem. Too many homeowners are sold solar panels, heat pumps or battery storage before anyone has checked whether the fabric of the house is fit for purpose. A property losing heat through an under-insulated loft, single-glazed windows or unlagged pipes will always underperform — no matter how much generation technology you bolt on.

The correct order is: reduce demand first, then install generation. A well-insulated home needs a smaller heat pump, performs better with solar, and is cheaper to heat regardless of energy prices. It also has a higher EPC rating, which matters for mortgage eligibility, rental compliance (minimum EPC E for rented properties, heading towards C), and resale value.

We offer energy saving advice as a service because we believe in doing it in the right order. For most homes, the first conversation should be about insulation and controls — not solar.

25%

of UK home heat loss is through the roof — loft insulation is the single most cost-effective fix

£175–£490

typical annual saving from proper loft or wall insulation on a semi-detached home

£0

cost to many households through ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan grants for qualifying measures

What we install

Every measure assessed, specified and installed by us.

We assess, specify and install the full range of home energy efficiency measures. Everything is fitted by our own qualified teams — we don't broker work out.

Loft Insulation

The single most cost-effective home improvement for most UK properties. If your loft has less than 270mm of insulation — or none at all — you're losing a significant amount of heat through the ceiling year-round.

Recommended depth: 270mm (100mm between joists + 170mm across joists)
Typical annual saving: £175–£300 for a semi-detached home
Typical installed cost: £300–£600 (top-up) to £1,200–£1,600 (full install)
Often fully funded through ECO4 or Warm Homes Plan for eligible households
Work takes half a day in most properties

Room-in-Roof Insulation

Properties with converted lofts or attic rooms require a different approach — the sloped roof sections, gable walls and flat ceiling sections each need to be treated separately. Done correctly, room-in-roof insulation can cut heat loss through the roof by 70–90%.

Covers sloped (rafter) sections, vertical gable walls and flat ceilings
Typically rigid insulation boards or spray foam alternatives
More complex than standard loft — we survey before quoting
Eligible for ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan funding in many cases

Flat Roof Insulation

Flat or low-pitched roofs are often poorly insulated in older UK properties. We install warm roof systems (insulation above the roof deck) which outperform cold roof systems and avoid condensation issues.

Warm roof system: insulation applied externally, above roof structure
Eliminates condensation risk that affects cold roof systems
Can be combined with roof replacement if the covering is at end of life

Internal Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation isn't available for solid-wall properties — typically pre-1920 houses built with solid brick. Internal wall insulation (IWI) is the alternative: rigid insulation boards fixed to the inner face of external walls, reducing heat loss by up to 40%.

Reduces wall heat loss by 35–40% for solid-wall properties
Annual saving: typically £275–£490 for a semi-detached solid-wall home
Does reduce internal floor area slightly — our surveyors advise on impact
IWI grants available under ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan for eligible households

Smart Heating Controls

A properly programmable thermostat and smart TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) can reduce heating bills by 10–15% without any change to your boiler or heat source. For properties with heat pumps, smart controls are essential — the two work as a system.

Smart thermostats (Hive, Nest, Tado): room-by-room control, remote app access, learning schedules
Smart TRVs: individual radiator control, eliminate overheating in unused rooms
Compatible with gas boilers, heat pumps and electric heating systems
Typical annual saving: £75–£150
Typical installed cost: £200–£400 depending on system size

Electric Storage Heaters

Older electric storage heaters — typically pre-2010 — hold heat poorly, overheat in the morning and are cold by evening. Modern high-heat-retention storage heaters (HHRS) are 30–40% more efficient, charge overnight on cheap tariff electricity and release heat steadily throughout the day.

High-heat-retention storage heaters: far better heat control than older models
Works best on Economy 7 / Economy 10 tariffs
Compatible with smart energy tariffs for further savings
ECO4-funded replacements available for eligible households — often free
Relevant for off-gas-grid properties, flats and homes where wet central heating isn't viable

First-Time Central Heating

Thousands of UK properties — particularly older terraces and rural homes — still rely entirely on electric heating with no wet central heating system. First-time central heating installation is one of the most significant quality-of-life and efficiency improvements available, and is often funded in full through ECO4 for eligible households.

Full installation: gas boiler, radiators, pipework, programmer and thermostat
Typically funded through ECO4 for households on qualifying benefits or with low EPC ratings
Gas Safe registered installation on all gas work
For off-gas-grid properties, an air source heat pump is often the better long-term solution

Not sure which measures your property needs? Request a free energy review. We'll assess your home and tell you which improvements give the best return — whether that's insulation, controls, or something else entirely.

Grants & funding in 2026

There's more available than most people realise — and more than most installers will take the time to check.

The UK government has committed significant funding to home energy efficiency through several overlapping schemes. Eligibility depends on household income, benefits status, EPC rating, and property type — it's not always obvious what you qualify for without checking.

Scheme	What it covers	Who qualifies	Value
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4)	Insulation, heating upgrades, first-time central heating, storage heater replacement	Households on qualifying benefits (UC, ESA, CTC, etc.) or low EPC rating (D/E/F/G) with low income	Often covers 100% of measure cost
Warm Homes Plan	Whole-house improvements: insulation, heat pumps, solar, heating upgrades	Low-income households; owner-occupiers and private renters with EPC below C	Up to £12,000+ for combined measures
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)	Single insulation measures — typically loft or cavity wall	Broader eligibility than ECO4 — lower-income households AND EPC D or below (regardless of benefits)	Partial to full funding depending on eligibility
on energy-saving materials	Insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, smart controls — installation labour included	All UK domestic properties	20% saving vs. standard VAT rate
Home Energy Scotland (Scotland only)	Insulation, heating, renewables	All Scottish households — means-tested grants plus interest-free loans for higher earners	Up to £17,500 grant + £7,500 loan

ECO4 is currently funded through energy supplier obligations. Scheme rules and funding levels can change — particularly as the government transitions to the Warm Homes Plan as the primary delivery mechanism. We'll confirm current availability when you enquire.

⚡ Don't assume you don't qualify. We've helped households access fully-funded measures who didn't think they were eligible. The check takes minutes.

The whole-house approach

One company. Every measure. The right order.

Most energy companies specialise in one thing — a solar installer, an insulation contractor, a heat pump company. That creates a problem: you end up with multiple contractors, none of whom are thinking about how everything works together.

Alliant does all of it. Insulation, solar, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging — installed in the right order, designed to work as a system. A properly insulated home with solar, a heat pump and a battery isn't just environmentally better: it's a home with near-zero net energy costs.

Step 1

Insulation & draught-proofing

Reduce demand before adding generation.

Step 2

Smart heating controls

Optimise what you already have.

Step 3

Heat pump or heating upgrade

An efficient heat source for a now-efficient home.

Step 4

Solar + battery

Generate and store your own electricity.

Step 5

EV charger

Use your generation for transport too.

Not every home needs every step, and not every step needs to happen at once. We'll tell you which ones are worth it for your property and your budget — and in which order.

Solar for homes →Battery storage →Air source heat pumps →EV charging →

How a free energy review works

We assess your home, identify what's worth doing, and tell you what's funded. No obligation.

Step 1

Request a callback

Tell us a little about your property — type, age, current heating, rough EPC if you know it. We'll book a convenient time to speak to you.

Step 2

Energy review call (30 mins)

An energy advisor reviews your property details, asks about your current bills and usage, and identifies which measures are most likely to help. We check ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan eligibility during this call.

Step 3

Survey (if needed)

For insulation and heating measures, we often need a survey to confirm specifications and access. We arrange this at no cost if it's needed.

Step 4

Proposal

You receive a clear written proposal showing each recommended measure, the expected annual saving, the cost, and any grant funding that applies. No pressure to proceed.

Step 5

Installation

If you're happy to go ahead, we handle everything: scheduling, any grant applications, and installation by our own qualified teams.

Frequently asked questions

The questions we hear most. Answered directly.

How do I know if I qualify for ECO4 or Warm Homes Plan funding?

Eligibility is primarily based on two factors: household income (or qualifying benefits) and your property's EPC rating. If you receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, or certain other means-tested benefits, you are likely to qualify. Properties with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G are also more likely to be eligible. The quickest route is to ask us — we check eligibility as part of our free energy review.

I own my home. Can I still get a grant?

Yes. Most insulation and heating grants are available to owner-occupiers as well as tenants. The key factors are your income or benefits status and your property's EPC rating. Homeowners in lower-income brackets with poorly insulated homes often qualify for fully-funded measures.

What's the difference between ECO4 and the Warm Homes Plan?

ECO4 is funded through energy supplier obligations and focuses on specific measures (insulation, heating) for lower-income households. The Warm Homes Plan is the government's newer, larger programme (£13.2bn committed) which covers a wider range of measures — including solar, batteries and heat pumps — and has a broader eligibility base. The two overlap in some areas. We'll check both when you enquire.

What's the Great British Insulation Scheme?

GBIS was launched in 2023 to help a wider range of households access a single insulation measure — typically loft or cavity wall insulation. Eligibility is broader than ECO4: it covers lower-income households on benefits, but also properties in EPC band D or below (regardless of income) in council tax bands A–D. If you don't qualify for ECO4, GBIS may still apply.

Does loft insulation make a noticeable difference?

Yes — usually immediately. Up to 25% of a home's heat escapes through the roof. Properly installed loft insulation reduces draughts, stabilises temperatures and cuts heating bills. Most households notice the difference in the first winter. It's consistently the highest-ranked home improvement measure for return on investment.

Is internal wall insulation disruptive?

More so than loft insulation, yes. IWI involves fixing boards to the inner face of external walls, which means skirting boards and architraves are removed and replaced, electrical sockets and switches are repositioned, and the room is slightly smaller afterwards (typically 70–100mm per treated wall). It's a meaningful building project, but the heat loss reduction — and in many cases, full ECO4 funding — makes it worthwhile for solid-wall properties.

My storage heaters are old. Should I replace them?

If your heaters are pre-2010, almost certainly yes. Modern high-heat-retention storage heaters are significantly more controllable and efficient than first-generation units. If you're on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, new heaters will charge more efficiently overnight and retain heat far better during the day. ECO4 funding often covers storage heater replacement fully for eligible households.

Can I get insulation and solar at the same time?

Yes, and it's worth coordinating. If you're planning solar, it makes sense to insulate first — a better-insulated home reduces your electricity demand, which may mean you need a slightly smaller (cheaper) solar system. If you're already having works done, combining measures reduces disruption and may reduce overall cost. We'll look at the full picture when we assess your property.

Find out what your home is entitled to. Free. No obligation.

We'll check your grant eligibility, assess which measures give the best return for your property, and give you honest advice — including if there's nothing currently worth doing. No sales pitch. No commission pressure.

Request a Free Energy Review →Check Grant Eligibility Call 01282 501589

TrustMark registered · PAS 2030 certified · ECO4 approved · MCS-registered engineers

Areas we cover

Energy saving advice across the North West

Our Nelson-based team installs energy efficiency surveys in Nelson, Burnley, Blackburn, Preston and Manchester, plus every town below across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Three ways to get started

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