5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR ECO CREDENTIALS

Insulate efficiently Most homes have some insulation in the loft, but not all have the 270mm depth recommended. Topping up from 120mm to 270mm should cost about £240, but with savings of up to £12 per year, it eventually will pay for itself.

Upgrade the thermostat and timer An efficient thermostat and timer ensure the heating only comes on when you need it – in other words, when your home dips below a certain temperature. This can save an average of £55 a year. Your room thermostat should be set between 18°C and 21°C.

Down with draughts There are lots of simple DIY products to tackle this. Draught-proofing a chimney alone can save around £15 a year.

Invest in a new boiler If your boiler was installed before 2004, it may be an inefficient non-condensing model. Condensing boilers are more energy efficient. For instance, if you have a G-rated boiler with some heating controls, by upgrading to an A-rated one with a full set of heating controls you could save about £200 a year. Seek advice from a reputable heating engineer on the most efficient system for your home.

Look at your windows Most homes now have double-glazing. It may be worth upgrading to triple but not always. It pays to take professional advice.