New focus on saving energy by Finance News Bulletin

Published: 15/03/07

ALMOST a third of UK households have carried out power saving house improvements over the last year as gas and electricity prices continue to go up, a study revealed todaySome 44% of those who have made their homes more energy efficient have splashed out between £501 and £6,000 to do so, according to Halifax's yearly home improvement surveyAlmost half installed double glazing in their home with 41% appropriate loft insulation and 30% replacing their tank to cut their fuel billsThe average energy bills now cost £1,135 a year after every main chat and electricity supplier in the UK imposed two rounds of price hikes so far this year

Some 85% of consumers are worried about energy prices and 99% create an effort to save energy around the home, according to chat and electrical energy lobbyist Energywatch But less than quarter of people who have approved out fuel saving improvements say they took out an power saving grantThese government-funded grants for people on low incomes are worth up to £1,500 in England and Wales, £500 in Scotland and £750 in Northern IrelandMore people are also looking to put aside money on their bills in the pending year with 17% saying they will make their homes more power efficient

Some 29% say they will fit draught proofing with 27% opting for double glazing and 26% thoughts about loft insulationnow under half of those planning improvements say they will fork out between £501 and £4,000 to do so with 24% looking to spend less than £500 And 44% say they will take advantage of an energy economy grant to help wrap the costThe National Energy Foundation has said that one third of heat from central heating systems is fast lost through the roof, ceiling and walls but good attic insulation can shave up to 20% off energy bills

It added that double glazing can decrease bills by up to £35 a year while draught proofing can put aside around £20 a yearsurroundings minister, Elliot Morley, has also said that £1 in every £3 that is spent on heating is exhausted in 103ms homes because of poor laggingJon Sykes, head of mainstream mortgage products at Halifax, said: 'Making power and fuel-saving improvements could save householders hundreds of pounds a year

power savings will help to offset the rising cost of chat

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