What BetterHomeEnergy is
BetterHomeEnergy is an independent UK guide to home energy upgrades, covering grants, eligibility and costs for solar, heat pumps and insulation. We focus on grants and eligibility, calculators and cost modelling, and practical upgrade guidance, in a UK policy environment that keeps changing.
We are not installers, surveyors, financial advisers, or energy consultants. We produce general guidance and tools to help homeowners make better-informed decisions. All guidance should be verified with relevant professionals before acting on it.
Our editorial team
Content is produced and maintained by the BetterHomeEnergy Research Team, a dedicated in-house editorial team that monitors primary sources including Ofgem, DESNZ, GOV.UK, MCS, local authorities, and scheme administrators. The team specialises in UK home energy policy, grant schemes, and retrofit economics.
We do not currently publish named author bylines, but every page clearly states when it was last reviewed, what changed in that review, and which sources were used. We are working towards named author pages and intend to add these in due course.
Our editorial commitments
- We cite sources on every substantive claim. Sources are listed at the foot of each guide and calculator.
- We record what changed whenever we update a page, with a date.
- We update calculator defaults at every Ofgem price cap change (quarterly) and whenever scheme rules change.
- Grant and eligibility pages are reviewed immediately when scheme rules change and within 48 hours of confirmed updates.
- Commercial relationships are disclosed on every page where relevant and never influence calculator outputs or editorial recommendations.
- We correct errors promptly when identified, and note corrections with a date.
How we research and fact-check
Primary sources we monitor
Our research team monitors the following sources on a regular basis:
- Ofgem, price cap announcements, SEG policy, ECO4 rules
- GOV.UK, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Warm Homes Plan, Great British Insulation Scheme
- DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), policy and funding announcements
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), installer certification, installation data, regional irradiance figures
- Energy Saving Trust, efficiency data, self-consumption research, consumer guidance
- Local authority and combined authority websites, for regional grant availability
- Scheme administrators, for ECO4, GBIS, HUG, and other schemes
- Industry bodies, Solar Energy UK, Heat Pump Association, RICS
Our fact-checking process
Identify primary source
Every factual claim, grant amounts, eligibility criteria, energy prices, scheme rules. Is traced to a named primary source. We do not rely on secondary reporting where a primary source is available.
Verify and record
The source URL, publication date, and specific data point are recorded at the time of writing. This is what appears in the "Sources" section of each page.
Review on trigger events
Pages are re-reviewed when a relevant trigger occurs: an Ofgem price cap announcement, a scheme rule change, a scheme opening or closing, or a significant policy development. The review date is updated on the page.
Record what changed
When we update a page, we add a "What changed in this review" note at the top of the article. This gives readers a clear view of what is new and what they can rely on from earlier visits.
Calculator methodology
Our calculators use publicly available data and established methodologies to produce estimates. All outputs are estimates and should be treated as indicative guidance, not financial projections.
Solar + Battery Savings Calculator
Generation estimates use MCS regional irradiance data adjusted for roof orientation and typical system efficiency (85%). Self-consumption modelled from Energy Saving Trust research. Energy prices default to the current Ofgem price cap rates, updated quarterly.
Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler Calculator
Energy costs calculated from Ofgem quarterly price cap rates. COP ranges derived from MCS certified installer data and Energy Saving Trust guidance. Standing charge assumptions based on current Ofgem cap rates.
Heat Pump Grant Eligibility Checker
Eligibility logic based on published BUS scheme rules from GOV.UK and Ofgem as of the review date stated on the page. Not a guarantee of eligibility. Final eligibility is determined by Ofgem when your installer submits the application.
Insulation Payback Calculator
Savings estimates based on Energy Saving Trust typical savings data for each insulation type, adjusted for property size and current energy prices. ECO4 eligibility checks are indicative only. Actual eligibility is determined by your energy supplier or local authority.
Commercial relationships and independence
BetterHomeEnergy is free to use. We generate revenue through affiliate referrals. Where we link to quote comparison services, installers, or other commercial products, we may earn a commission if you go on to purchase. This commission is paid by the third party and comes at no extra cost to you.
Our commercial policy
- Commercial relationships never influence the accuracy or direction of our editorial content.
- Calculator outputs are never adjusted to favour any commercial partner.
- Where a commercial link appears near editorial content, we make the relationship clear.
- We do not sell advertising space in a way that could be confused with editorial content.
- We do not accept payment to recommend specific products or installers in our guides.
- We do not have exclusive partnerships with any installer, comparison service, or energy supplier.
Correction policy
We take accuracy seriously. If we publish an error, whether a factual mistake, an outdated figure, or a mischaracterisation of a scheme rule. We will correct it as quickly as possible. Corrections are noted on the relevant page with a date.
If you find an error or out-of-date information on any page, please contact us at the address below. We investigate correction requests within two working days and respond to reporters and researchers promptly.
Contact: editorial@betterhomeenergy.co.uk
What this site is not
- We are not financial advisers. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice. Calculator outputs are estimates.
- We are not energy consultants or surveyors. Always commission a professional assessment before making upgrade decisions.
- We are not installers and do not install, recommend, or vouch for specific installers.
- We are not a government body. For official scheme rules, always check the relevant GOV.UK or scheme administrator page.
Privacy and data
Our calculators run in your browser. No personal data is transmitted to our servers when you use them. When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect only your email address. We do not sell data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes. See our Privacy Policy for full details.