Go green and save on your energy bills

By now we should all be well aware of how important saving energy is. Over the last few years the issue of energy efficiency, dwindling energy resources and climate change has rarely been far from the news.

Undoubtedly this increased exposure to the issues and ways to go about saving energy has motivated many of us to do our bit; far more of us recycle, and even if our travel expectations often override any desire to reduce the size our carbon footprint at least no one can claim ignorance of the problems that face us.

Despite this, most of us could still do more and with a few changes to make around the home, there's also the significant extra motivation of saving money; an energy inefficient home is doing as much damage to your finances as it is the environment. There's plenty you can do and much of it won't even require much time or effort. Here's our list of quick tips:

• Switch off energy draining appliances when you're not using them. This is obvious but very easy to forget about. Make a conscious effort to change your habits and you'll soon find that it's something you do without even thinking about it.
  · Watch the thermostat. It need only be by a degree or two but a subtle adjustment to the temperature can make a surprising difference. You'll probably find that a small change is barely noticeable, but naturally conserving heat by closing curtains or simply wearing more clothes can help.
• Switch your light bulbs. Next time a light bulb needs replacing use an energy saving bulb. These aren't much more expensive and your initial outlay, even if a bit more than normal, will ultimately be rewarded by an average saving of £9 per year. Also, if you've got a dimmer switch use it; there are plenty of occasions when you don't need full lighting.
• Insulate your home. Probably the most effective way to cut your heating costs. Insulating your home will help to keep you warm in the winter months and is a greener way of using energy. The key areas to insulate are your walls and loft where half the heat is lost. Loft insulation will cost around £250 to install but could save you up to £220 a year on your heating bills. If you receive benefits you could be eligible for free insulation. There are also a few smaller things you can do to insulate heat and make your home more energy efficient like placing foil along the back of radiators to reflect heat away from the wall and fitting an insulating jacket over your boiler.
• Consider a new boiler. If your boiler is on its last legs then don't wait too long before investing in a new one; a faulty boiler could leave you cold and out of pocket. If you are replacing an old boiler then a high efficiency boiler is the way to go - you could make a significant saving on your energy bills (up to £240 a year) and cut down CO2 emissions. These days British Gas offers a comprehensive range of new boilers as well as a homecare service to ensure that your boiler is kept in good working order.