Lofty Ambitions

For most of us the loft ends up as a dumping ground.  It might seem like a daunting task but sort through all the things you have in there. 

Do you really need that exercise bike you bought in 1991 and used twice?  Be ruthless and get rid of the things you don’t use or want.  Better still put any unwanted stuff on EBay and get some cash.  After all, one man's junk...

With the loft clear (and hopefully a few more pounds in your pocket) it is time to invest in loft insulation.  According to the Energy Saving Trust, a huge 25% of the home’s heat is lost through the roof.  Apart from damaging the environment, this heat loss is money down the drain. 

The government recommends a minimum layer of 270mm loft insulation, for which the average cost is around £250.  Yes it's an investment of time and money, but with heating bills rising at an alarming rate it's sure to pay off. 

The Cold Shoulder

If you’re feeling a chill indoors then it is probably because of a draught.  Draught proofing is one of the most cost effective ways to cut down a home’s carbon emissions.  Fitting a brush-style draught excluder on your letter box, filling gaps in wooden floorboards with acrylic sealant and sewing heavy lining into thin curtains will all help to stop heat escaping.  And when the big freeze arrives you’ll be toasty warm.  
 

See The Light

One way to cut down on the electricity bills is make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs.   

Using only 20% of the electricity of ordinary bulbs, they last ten times as long as their more profligate siblings and they're not as expensive as you think. 

Our H&B survey showed that readers think that energy saving light bulbs cost around 50% (£15.20 for a pack of 6 was the average amongst readers) more than they do in reality (£10 for a pack of 6) - food for thought if nothing else. 

Money Down The Drain

Most days people are simply flushing money down the toilet.  When you flush the loo the water has to be purified and pumped round again, all of which wastes a huge amount of water and money. 

By putting a brick in the cistern space is taken up and reduces the amount of water needed to fill it.  It something so simple which most of us know, yet so many still don’t do. 

For more energy saving information visit the Think Insulation website.