The Home Improvements That Save Fuel and Money

Faced with soaring gas and electricity prices, over one quarter of people have carried out energy and fuel saving home improvements over the last year, according to new research from Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage lender.

Since 2003, British Gas' gas prices have risen by 91.1% and electricity prices by 81%, with the average household now spending around £1,135 a year on energy bills.

Energywatch, the gas and electricity lobbyist, states that 85% of consumers are worried about energy prices and 99% are trying to save energy around the home. 

How much energy and fuel saving home improvements could save you on energy bills:

Loft insulation:

• The National Energy Foundation states that one third of heat produced by a central heating system is rapidly lost through the roof, ceiling and walls and 20% of energy bills can be saved by good loft insulation.
• The environment minister, Elliot Morley, has stated that £1 in every £3 spent on heating is currently being wasted in 10.3m homes because of poor insulation.
• According to EST investing in loft and cavity wall insulation can save you £100 per year.
• According to Uswitch, you can save £275 per year if you put in loft insulation and if you have electric central heating.

Cavity Wall insulation:

• The National Energy Foundation states that up to half of all heat is lost through the walls of a house that is not insulated.  Wall insulation can reduce this loss by up to two-thirds.
• According to British Gas, cavity wall insulation could save up to 30% on heating bills.  EST valuates these savings at £100 per year.

Draught proofing:

• According to EST, draught proofing your property costs around £50 and can save £20 per year on energy bills.

Boiler:

• Replacing your old boiler can save you up to £180 a year, according to EST.

Double glazing: 

• Double glazing can reduce your annual energy bill by between £20 and £35 each year, according to The National Energy Foundation.

Radiators:

• Fitting thermostatic radiator valves, which stops you from heating rooms that you are not using, will provide annual cost savings of between £10 and £20, according to The National Energy Foundation.

Energy saving light bulbs:

• According to the National Energy Foundation, energy saving light bulbs use about a quarter of the electricity of normal light bulbs and last eight times longer.  The annual saving on your energy bill is £5.

Solar panel:

• According to the Energy Saving Trust, a solar water heater can provide all your hot water in the Summer and half in the Winter and costs around £8,000.   This cost includes a 50% discount from a Government grant.  This kind of system saves between £80 and £100 in annual electricity bills. 

For more information on energy efficiency visit www.energyfuture.org.uk or www.nef.org.uk or call the Energy efficiency helpline on 0845 727 7200.

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