Energy efficient homes
Energy efficient homes can end up costing you a small fortune in the short term. However, you’d be amazed at how many grants and special offers are available to help you make your homes more energy efficient. Even if you’re not over 60 or on benefits, you are still eligible for a wide range of grants and offers to help you tackle climate change from the comfort of your own home.
Cavity wall insulation
- British Gas will install cavity wall insulation at low subsidised prices, and this could save you up to £143 on your heating bills
- Powergen also offer cavity wall insulation from £210 and claim this could save you up to £235 in the first year
Loft insulation and draught proofing
- Scottish Power’s prices for loft insulation start from £50 and they claim as much as 25% of your heat could be escaping through your roof.
- British Gas will professionally install loft insulation at subsidised rates, which they claim could save you up to £198 on your heating bills.
- Powergen also offers loft insulation from £190.
- Council tax rebate scheme.
British Gas states that they are committed to working with local authorities to help residents save energy and money as well. One of the ways they are doing this is through a Council Tax rebate scheme. Each household that invests in home insulation under this scheme will receive a rebate of up to £100 from their local authority.
Energy saving
Most Electricity and Gas companies, like Powergen for example, offer energy saving ideas and free energy surveys.
Other companies like British Gas offer you a free, personalised energy savers report for you and your home. This report will calculate the current energy rating of your home and provide energy saving recommendations.
nPower provide a free downloadable guide to using your gas central heating which is full of useful information about how to become more energy efficient. nPower also offer an energy guide to how much energy different appliances in the home actually use.
Renewables – go green!
Most electricity companies now offer green, renewable electricity, which doesn’t cost you any more than standard electricity. Green electricity is generated by renewable energy sources, like wind farms for example.
Here’s a list of the most popular green electricity suppliers:
- ecotricity – the world’s first renewable energy company.
- Good Energy – the 100% renewable electricity supplier.
- nPower Juice – clean and green.
- Powergen – Go green.
But before you jump straight in, why not read the Ecologist’s guide on Green Electricity – Are you being conned?
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