Energy bills: How to save money at home
A number of the big energy firms have increased prices in recent weeks and fuel poverty campaigners have called for cross-party action on the "national crisis" of cold homes.
What can we do at home to help reduce our bills? According to the Energy Saving Trust, there are a number of key things we can do.
- Replacing an old boiler with a new condensing boiler could save up to £310 a year
- Insulating a loft to the recommended depth of 270mm (10.6ins) could save up to £180 a year
- Fitting double glazing could save up to £180 a year
- Insulating walls with cavity wall insulation could save up to £140 a year. Insulating the inside or outside of solid walls of older properties could save up to £490
- Avoiding leaving devices on standby could save between £50-£90 a year
Other tips include:
- Installing a water-efficient shower head, saving up to £75 a year;
- Insulating floors, saving up to £60 a year;
- Insulating a water tank, saving up to £45 a year;
- Draft-proofing windows and doors, saving £30;
- Replacing light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs, saving £30;
- Upgrading appliances to energy-efficient models, saving up to £23 a year.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
Thermal images reveal energy inefficiency
Homes lose heat in many places, as thermal imagery shows. Key losses are through windows and doors - shown as white on the pictures below.