Simply DIY Could Save UK £220m A Year - And Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

21st May 2009

Traditionally Bank Holiday weekends are perceived as a prime opportunity to crack on with those DIY jobs around the house. However according to new research out today, over half (53%) the UK population are not confident enough to complete basic home improvement jobs.

By ‘brushing up’ on simple skills and choosing the eco-friendly route, the DIY Shy could make considerable savings to both their own pockets and the environment. Collectively they could save the nation around £220 million - and 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

By tackling simple-to-do home improvements, DIY Shy Brits can shave hundreds of pounds off their annual fuel bill, add long-term value to their existing home and save some cash some for the harder-to-do projects best left to a professional.

The survey of over 2,000 people for The Energy Saving Trust reveals that for three-quarters of us (77%), our DIY jobs do turn out as planned. With this in mind, perhaps it’s time to face our fears, get the dustsheets down, and get ‘ecorating’ this weekend.

Simple things such as filling cracks in floorboards and skirting boards, or fitting draught excluders to doors can help prevent heat loss and therefore reduce energy bills. Fitting a jacket to your hot water cylinder in conjunction with insulating the pipes, could save you at least £40 a year.

Putting a water butt outside can collect up to 200 litres at a time, which can then be reused when watering the plants to save water. For the more dedicated eco-DIYer, larger projects such as installing an energy-efficient heating system or replacing single glazed windows with double-glazing can all provide long-term investment on their property.

For some more top tips on how to be an eco-DIYer, go to www.est.org.uk

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