Cut your running costs and your carbon.
Whether green upgrades pay back depends on your home and bills. A typical solar PV system costs about £7,000 and saves £400–£700 a year (roughly a 10–15 year payback), while an air-source heat pump runs £7,500–£13,000 before the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. The tools below show which upgrades actually pay back, what they really cost, and how each one moves a property's total cost of ownership.
Last reviewed · figures use 2025/26 UK rates.
Download PDF report →Frequently asked
Do solar panels pay for themselves in the UK?
Usually yes, over time. A typical home solar PV system costs around £7,000 and saves roughly £400–£700 a year on bills (more if you add a battery or export to the grid), giving a payback of about 10–15 years against a 25-year-plus panel lifespan.
Are heat pumps worth it?
An air-source heat pump costs about £7,500–£13,000 to install, but the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500 covers much of that. Running costs are often similar to or below gas in a well-insulated home, and they cut a property's carbon footprint sharply.
What grants are available for home energy upgrades?
The main one is the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pumps. Lower-income and lower-EPC households may also qualify for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, which can cover insulation and heating measures.
Does insulation reduce running costs?
Yes — loft and cavity wall insulation are among the cheapest upgrades and can cut hundreds of pounds a year off heating bills, often paying back in just a few years while improving the property's EPC rating.