As energy prices continue to soar, using a marginal gains strategy could help drive down your energy bills.
The government’s support package will help lessen the impact of rising costs; however, habitual changes and methods are needed to reduce energy consumption.
What are marginal gains?
This is a theory that suggests if you make small but meaningful improvements in various areas, it will result in achieving the goal you were working towards. It’s also known as the 1% Factor, adopted by the British Cycling team and said to have catapulted them to success.
How do you apply a marginal gains strategy when reducing energy consumption?
Think of all the little electrical devices in your home that require power. How long are they switched on? How often do you use them? Are these devices the most energy-efficient ones you can buy?
Consider replacing your washing machines, refrigerators, or dishwashers with eco-friendly models. And only use dishwashers or washing machines when you have a full load to avoid unnecessarily consuming energy to perform multiple smaller washes.
Sometimes our habits contribute to consuming more energy than necessary. For example, leaving a TV or computer on standby still consumes power. Consider unplugging these devices when not in use.
Heating our homes in winter is unavoidable. However, there are many ways to prevent heat loss that reduce the strain on our central heating system. Improvements include draught-proofing doors, windows, and letterboxes. Installing loft insulation helps stop heat from escaping through the roof. Interior and exterior walls could also benefit from insulation, as can your floor by placing rugs over floorboards.
Additionally, consider turning the thermostat down to a lower level. Some people set it too high when they could still feel warm and comfortable at a lower temperature.
According to the Energy Savings Trust, your lighting system contributes to approximately 11% of your electricity bill. Therefore, replacing older lightbulbs with LEDs can reduce energy bills drastically.
Implementing subtle changes such as these is what it means to apply a marginal gains strategy. However, focussing on changing every little detail contributes to much more significant changes: reduced energy consumption and cheaper gas and electricity bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the marginal gains strategy in energy efficiency?
The marginal gains strategy in energy efficiency is the idea that small, incremental improvements across many areas of a home can combine to create a significant overall reduction in energy use. Instead of relying on one major upgrade, it focuses on multiple minor changes such as insulation top-ups, draught-proofing, and smarter heating controls that collectively improve performance and reduce waste.
How can marginal gains help reduce energy bills in UK homes?
Marginal gains reduce energy bills by targeting lots of small inefficiencies that often go unnoticed. For example, lowering heating temperature slightly, sealing small draughts, or switching to LED lighting all save small amounts individually. When combined, these improvements reduce overall energy demand, which leads to lower monthly gas and electricity costs over time.
What are some examples of marginal gains for home energy efficiency?
Common examples include installing LED lighting, improving heating controls, adding radiator reflector panels, draught-proofing doors and windows, and optimising boiler settings. These small upgrades require relatively low investment but can collectively improve comfort, reduce heat loss, and support a better EPC rating.
Do marginal gains improve EPC ratings as well as energy bills?
Yes, marginal gains can contribute to improved EPC ratings, although usually to a smaller extent than major upgrades like insulation or heating system replacements. EPC assessments consider a range of efficiency factors, so small improvements such as low-energy lighting or better controls can help increase the overall score when combined with other measures.
Why is the marginal gains approach useful for older properties in Scotland?
The marginal gains approach is especially useful for older properties because full-scale upgrades can be expensive or structurally difficult. Instead, small, affordable improvements can be introduced step by step. This allows homeowners and landlords to gradually improve energy efficiency, reduce running costs, and make progress towards better EPC ratings without major disruption.