How to improve the energy efficiency of a terrace house on any budget

A row of terrace houses on a street with matching chimneys
(Image credit: Getty)

Up and down the UK are millions of 19th century terraces — and despite their rather chilly and draughty reputation, there’s plenty that can be done to reduce energy bills in this type of property.

We asked four building and energy experts for their energy-saving tips and suggestions: Marianne Suhr, a chartered building surveyor specialising in old homes and the co-author of Old House Eco Handbook published by Quarto Group; heating and energy expert David Hilton; Paul Ciniglio, refurbishment lead for the National Energy Foundation; and architect Paul Testa, who has a special interest in retrofitting homes. 

Alison Wall

Alison Wall is an experienced homes journalist, and former chief sub editor of Homebuilding & Renovating. She has interviewed countless self-builders and renovators regarding their projects, and has a special interest in eco builds. She is also renovating her 1970s home and garden, and has a particular interest in making her own home greener, having recently added solar panels, an EV chargepoint and a solar battery system.