Installing energy-saving devices around your property can be a very wise investment for the long-term. They help save your energy and money, whilst at the same time being more eco-friendly. Being energy efficient can cut as much as £300 off your annual energy bill and reduce your household's carbon dioxide emissions by around 1.5 tonnes. For ways to be greener see the popular home hints below:


1. Brush up on energy saving

Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by installing a cheap, easy-to-fix brush or PVC seal on your exterior doors. Letterboxes and keyholes should be covered too.

2. Draught dodgers

Draughts also get in through gaps in floorboards and skirting boards, which also allow heat to escape in winter. Stop this waste by filling these gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.






3. Use energy saving light bulbs

Switch to energy saving light bulbs. They last around 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs, and each bulb you fit could save around £40 over its lifetime - or up to £65 if you are replacing a bright incandescent bulb, or one used for more than a few hours a day. They come in a whole range of styles.






4. Jazz up your tank with a jacket

Insulate your hot water tank with a jacket - it only costs a few pounds and with all the heat it traps in, it pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £35 a year. If every UK household was fitted an adequate tank jacket tomorrow, we'd save £210 million of energy every year!

5. Lofty ambitions

Insulating your loft is one of the simplest ways to save energy. Get you empty loft insulated today, and in a year you could save around £150 or £45 if you're topping up.

6. Insulate wall cavities

Uninsulated walls are a big source of heat loss in the home. You could save around £115 on energy bills each year by insulating your wall cavities. It also creates an even temperature in your home. If we all filled our wall cavities, we'd save around £690 million-worth of energy a year.

7. Switch to high-efficiency boilers

If your boiler is over 15 years old it's probably time to replace it. By law, new gas boilers in England and Wales must now be of the high efficiency condensing type, which can help you save up to a quarter on your heating bills. The Government Scrappage Scheme is currently offering those homeowners replacing their old G-rated boilers with an energy efficient A-rated boiler £400 towards the cost!

8. Look for the logo

When purchasing new appliances, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving Recommended appliances are the most efficient in their category and could save you up to £36 a year. An All Trades technician can fit the most energy saving appliances in your home.

9. Keep twice as warm with double glazing

Double glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could cut your heating bill by around £140 a year.

                                                                                                                                                                                              Source: Energy Saving Trust

If you have any further queries regarding energy-saving in the home, or property maintenance, repair or restoration, feel free to contact us for further advice. Or have your local tradesman come to give you a Home MOT.