7 Energy Saving Tips

Tackling problems like heat loss will not only make your house greener, it'll save you money - even in the short term. Lagging a hot water tank, for instance, costs as little as £10, but can save you £10-15 a year. Projects such as loft and cavity wall insulation are more expensive, but, thanks to grants available from companies like British Gas and in some areas a reduction in council tax, can pay for themselves within as little as 18 months. If your boiler has seen better days, swapping it for a new, energy-saving A-rated model could save around £2,000 on your heating bills over its 15-year average life span. And, of course, don't forget that insulation is the best way to reduce your energy usage.

However, another option is to make use of the renewable energy around you. There's been a lot of attention given to wind power lately. However, it may surprise you to learn that even in Britain's climate, solar panels can be a more effective solution for home power.

If your heating system stores hot water in a cylinder, solar panels such as the Worcester Green skies models available through British Gas are a more realistic way to reduce your spending on energy. Panels can be fitted to flat or sloping roofs, and don't depend on bright sunlight - so they're perfectly suited to the British climate. Correctly installed, solar panels can provide up to 70% of your hot water each year - and government grants of up to £400 are available to help with the cost.