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"How going green could save us £260 per year!"
It doesn't take much to make a typical family home much more energy efficient. With the help of British Gas, the Clark family found out how they could make substantial savings.
| HOW THEY COULD DO IT ... | |
| NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT CONDENSING BOILER | £150 |
| THERMOSTATIC RADIATOR VALVES | £20 |
| ROOM AND HOT WATER TANK THERMOSTAT | £10 |
| EXTRA LOFT INSULATION | £30 |
| HOT WATER TANK INSULATION | £50 |
| TOTAL YEARLY SAVING | £260 |
Rick and Mary Clark have been in their South London home for the past four years and knew the boiler was old when they moved in. "Changing it has been on our 'to do' list for ages, but we decided to stick with it for as long as possible."
We sent British Gas engineer Tony Jones round to the Clark's house to advise them on what
they could do to save energy. What Tony found gave them food for thought about the steps they could take.
The Clarks' house is a typical example of a South London home. Built over 100 years ago, it is a classic
Victorian terrace with solid walls and small eves. After four years - and with three young children - the
couple are planning to find somewhere bigger. One factor they should consider is how energy efficiency could
impact upon the sale of their home.
According to a survey conducted by the Yorkshire Bank last year, one in four home buyers wouldn't consider a house that was energy inefficient. This means homes which have a low energy efficiency rating are likely to be less desirable.
Many buyers realise that energy efficiency means lower monthly bills, which can be an important factor in the kind of house you can afford. The Clarks fall into this category. According to Mary, "we'll definitely look for things like a new boiler and insulation when we hunt for a new place later this year."
