Save money with an energy efficient
home

If you want to cut back on your monthly bills, a few changes around the home could really help. Of course finding cheap home insurance is one way of saving money, but by making your home energy efficient, it’s possible to cut back on your utilities bills too (without missing out on your home comforts).

To get a personal report showing just how much energy and money you can save in your home, get a Home Energy Check from the Energy Savings Trust.

Or carry out your own review of all the areas in your home where you could be wasting energy:

Windows and doors. If you can feel a draught when you hold your hand up to a window or door then you’re losing energy. Around 20% of heat tends to be lost through ventilation and draughts.

The roof. Check that your roof insulation is thick enough. The recommended depth for saving energy and money is 270mm. Any less, and up to a third of your heating costs could be escaping through the roof.

Water tanks & pipes. By insulating your hot water tank and pipes you could cut heat loss by around 75%. Cylinder ‘jackets’ should be at least 75mm thick. If you’re buying a new one from a DIY store, make sure it carries the British Standard kite mark.

Utilities supplier. In the same way that you can shop around for cheap home insurance, you can shop around for utilities suppliers too. You can either call them direct or use a comparison site like www.energyhelpline.com.

And while you’re in the mood for sorting out the home budget, why not see if you can find a cheap home insurance quote at Privilege.