21 January 2026
Energy Saving Week 2026: Your Year-Round Guide to a More Affordable Home
Energy Saving Week 2026: Your Year-Round Guide to a More Affordable Home
It’s Energy Saving Week 2026, and at Gateway Credit Union, we know that the cost of living is still a major talking point for our members. While large-scale green upgrades are fantastic, sustainability doesn't always require a massive renovation.
Small, seasonal adjustments can lead to significant financial and environmental benefits. Here is our guide to staying efficient all year round, along with the ways Gateway Credit Union can support your home improvement goals.
❄️ Winter: Maximising Warmth, Minimising Cost
As temperatures drop, energy bills naturally climb. The goal for winter is to keep the heat you pay for inside your home.
- Radiator Care: Bleed your radiators to remove trapped air and fit reflectors behind those on external walls.
- Simple Insulation: Use thick curtains, rugs on bare floors, and draught excluders. A hot water tank jacket is a low-cost way to retain heat for longer.
- Smart Habits: Switch to LED bulbs for festive lighting and get into the habit of turning off sockets at the wall.
How Gateway Helps: If your home needs more substantial winter-proofing—like loft insulation or a more efficient boiler—a Gateway Small Loan can help cover the costs upfront, allowing you to pay it back in manageable installments while you reap the savings on your bills.
🌱 Spring: A Sustainability Refresh
Spring is the perfect time to audit your home’s efficiency and prepare for the months ahead.
- Fix the Drips: A leaking tap can waste 5 litres of water a day. Most are simple, low-cost DIY fixes.
- Laundry Logic: With the return of the sun, move away from the tumble dryer. Line-drying clothes and washing at 30°C reduces electricity consumption significantly.
- The Big Service: Spring is the best time to book a boiler service. Ensuring it’s running efficiently now prevents high-cost emergency repairs when winter returns.
☀️ Summer: Embrace the Outdoors
Summer is about reducing the "active" energy your home uses and staying cool naturally.
- Natural Cooling: Keep blinds closed during the hottest part of the day to block solar gain, and open windows at night for cross-ventilation.
- Transport Shifts: With half of UK car trips being under three miles, summer is the ideal time to swap the car for a bike or a walk.
- Garden Efficiency: Install a water butt to collect rainwater for your plants, reducing your metered water usage during dry spells.
How Gateway Helps: Thinking of switching to a more sustainable commute? Our personal loans can be used to purchase a bicycle or electric scooter, helping you save on fuel and parking costs all summer long.
🍂 Autumn: Prepare and Preserve
Before the frost hits, take a few hours to "seal" your home.
- Seal the Gaps: Check window frames and doors for draughts. Applying fresh sealant or weather stripping is one of the highest-return investments you can make for a few pounds.
- Batch Cooking: As the weather cools, use your oven efficiently by batch-cooking stews and soups. This saves time and ensures the oven is only heated once for multiple meals.
- Mindful Gifting: As you look toward the festive season, consider local crafts or experiences over mass-produced items to reduce your environmental footprint.
Support from Gateway Credit Union
At Gateway, we believe financial wellbeing and energy efficiency go together. We offer a range of services to help our members achieve a more sustainable lifestyle:
- Energy Efficiency Loans: Whether it's double glazing, solar panels, or a new heat pump, we offer competitive rates to help you invest in your home's future.
- Saving for the Future: Start a dedicated "Home Improvement" savings account with us today to build a buffer for future upgrades.
- Community Focus: Because we are a credit union, our profits stay within the community, helping us support local green initiatives.
Ready to make your home more efficient this Energy Saving Week? Contact us to discuss how a Gateway loan could help you lower your bills for the long term, or www.gatewaycu.co.uk to learn more about our member benefits.
