t: 0333 3447850e: hello@redkeylets.co.uk
    Get a Valuation
    Register/Report a repair
    LogoLogo
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
    • Contact

    Branch Details

    Our Branch

    21 Bridge Street, Newport, NP20 4AN
    e: hello@redkeylets.co.uk
    t: 0333 3447850
    Newport Area Guide

    Looking to buy or sell?

    Please visit our sister branch,
    Fortis Properties

    Out of Hours Emergency

    An emergency repair would include issues that need to be fixed as soon as possible. Examples would include: burst pipe/flood, fire, vandalism, broken locks, blocked drains, blocked toilet and no heating/hot water. Anything that would be a danger to your health and safety or likely to cause damage to the property.

    In the event of an emergency during a holiday period – or outside office hours – please follow the guidance below.

    Smell Gas?
    In the event that you smell gas open all the windows, turn the gas off at the meter and call National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
    For all other emergency issues, please call 01633 742371 and our friendly team will assist you.

    Home/News/Tenants: how to cut your energy usage

    Tenants: how to cut your energy usage

    over 2 years ago
    Lettings
    Tenants: how to cut your energy usage

    There is no shortage of online energy guides detailing how to reduce energy consumption and lower fuel bills but much of the advice is aimed at homeowners. While installing solar panels, air source heat pumps and cavity wall insulation are good ideas, they aren’t the sort of home improvements tenants are always able to make.

    That doesn’t mean renters can’t reduce the amount of energy they are using. There are a number of easy-to-implement – and allowable – changes designed to reduce consumption and here are some of the easiest to implement:-

    • Small appliances: lots of small appliances left on standby can drain a surprising amount of energy. Be mindful of phone chargers, Alexas and anything with a small, red, glowing dot. If it’s not in use, unplug it from the wall. Your kettle could also be costing you – only boiling the amount of water you need will reduce how much energy is used.
    • Lighting: a simple swap from conventional lightbulbs to LED versions will help reduce energy usage, as will switching lights off when you leave a room.
    •  Fridges: a fridge will work harder and use more energy when its internal temperature rises, so avoid leaving the door open and ensure hot food has cooled completely before refrigerating it. You can also help your fridge stay cool by using it to slowly defrost food.
    • Washing machines: wash only when you have a full load to minimise the amount of times the machine runs and choose the shortest programme for the condition of your clothes. Reducing the water’s temperature from 40° to 30° will also reduce energy consumption and today’s modern detergents are designed to work at lower temperatures.
    • Dishwashers: like washing machines, these should only be run when full and on the shortest, coolest programme that will still efficiently clean your crockery and utensils. If washing up by hand, fill a small washing up bowl instead of an entire sink.
    • Bathing: a shower will use less hot water than a bath, so don’t be tempted to regularly fill the tub. Make extra savings by reducing the duration of your shower and opt for a water-saving shower head.
    • Boilers: if you have a condensing boiler, turning down the flow temperature (and the hot water temperature if there’s a separate dial) can save the average household £112 on their gas bill. This guide to changing boiler settings explains the process.
    • Central heating: turning your thermostat down by just one degree can reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%, while turning thermostatic radiator valves down in unused rooms will also help. If you have a habit of leaving the heating on all day, try programming the system so it comes on at intervals.
    • Draughts: a stream of cold air around door frames and window sills indicates a tiny gap but this can be blocked by using draught proofing strips and draught excluders. If you have an open fire, you can stop warm air from being sucked up the chimney by using a special balloon, which is easy to deflate when you want to light a fire.

    Want to make major energy-saving changes?

    Renters who are really keen on cutting their carbon emissions and reducing energy consumption can make a request to their landlord to make their own improvements. It’s actually a right documented by the Government in Part Two of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.

    The document states: ‘The tenants’ energy efficiency improvements provisions mean that, subject to certain requirements and exemptions, from 1 April 2016, where a tenant requests their landlord’s consent to making energy efficiency improvements to the landlord’s property, the landlord may not unreasonably refuse consent.’

    The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Part 1, Chapter 7, Section 52) gives every private sector tenant a very similar right.

    Tenants should be aware that requests of this nature are not always permitted and all costs are expected to be borne by the renter. If this is an idea you’d like to pursue, please contact our lettings team today.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    Why Rent Reviews Matter—Especially Now

    Why Rent Reviews Matter—Especially Now

    Published about 6 hours ago

    Following on from our previous post on retaining tenants, it’s time to address the next step in maximising your rental income: rent reviews. Regular rent reviews help ensure your property keeps pace with the evolving market—vital in high-demand areas like Fairwater and Cardiff.

    Read More
    Electrical safety in the lettings spotlight

    Electrical safety in the lettings spotlight

    Published 5 days ago

    Keeping tenants safe is of paramount importance and there is legislation that ensures the UK’s privately rented homes are fit for habitation. An important milestone in England has brought one area of safety back into the spotlight.

    Read More
    Short-Term vs. Long-Term Leases for Landlords in Newport & Cardiff: What's Best for Your Rental Property?

    Short-Term vs. Long-Term Leases for Landlords in Newport & Cardiff: What's Best for Your Rental Property?

    Published 5 days ago

    As a landlord in Newport or Cardiff, deciding on the ideal lease length for your rental property is a strategic decision that impacts everything from your cash flow and tenant turnover to the amount of time you spend on property management.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Services 

    Renting with us
    Residential Lettings
    Portfolio Management
    Block Management

    Area Guides 

    Cardiff CF5
    Cardiff CF11
    Newport NP19
    Newport NP20

    Main Branch Details 

    Red Key, 21 Bridge Street,
    Newport NP20 4AN
    t: 0333 3447850
    Email us

    ARLA
    OnTheMarket
    PrimeLocation
    SafeAgent
    ThePropertyOmbudsman
    Zoopla
    Logo
    © 2025 Red Key Property Services
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure|CMP Certificate|CMP Security Certificate
    Powered by