Switch and insulate to save a fortune on fuel bills

Insulate your loft to stop heat escaping through the roof

So many of our days and weeks have been hijacked by PR people desperate to create “awareness” that it’s easy to ignore them. Who cares that today is “Caramel Apple Day”?

But pay attention now because this is “Big Energy Saving Week” and, whether you like the title or not, the message is one that still needs to be hammered home.

Fuel bills represent an increasing proportion of the household budget and cutting them will benefit your bank balance and the environment.

It could also help sell or rent your home as buyers and tenants are now beginning to understand the importance of energy performance certificates.

An EPC is compulsory for any property that is built, sold or rented. An assessor will include details on the energy-efficiency of a home and on its fuel usage and costs.

One of the best ways to make a quick saving is to check that you are getting the best deal from your gas and electricity providers. Battling with online forms and dealing with call centres is a time-consuming task, but it could be worthwhile.

Earlier this year, the government revealed that 3.5 million households in the UK were missing out on their share of £2.7 billion by sticking with the same energy company. They calculated that the average household could save £200 a year by moving to a lower tariff.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change now has a dedicated website, www.BeAnEnergyShopper.com, to help people shop around for a new deal.

This is especially important at the moment as a raft of fixed rate energy deals have just expired. When this happens, accounts are automatically switched to the standard variable tariff, which is usually higher. Around 24 deals, including some from British Gas, First Utility and Scottish Power have expired recently.

For the majority of households, the automatic transfer will add an additional 15 per cent or £150 to bills.

To make longer term savings, making sure your house is well-insulated is vital. The energy performance ratings on an EPC stretch from A, which is very good, to G, which is poor. The average UK property scores E, thanks in part to a lack of insulation.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Insulation Association, says: “Fitting adequate insulation needs to be the priority. Approximately 33 per cent of heat is lost through the walls of a home and 26 per cent through the roof. Insulating these areas enables householders to make major savings on their fuel bills year after year without even having to think about it.”

The Energy Saving Trust reports that installing Cavity Wall Insulation, which costs between £400 and £700, can save £90 to £275 a year on bills, though not all homes have a cavity. Loft insulation, which costs from £300, can save from £135 to £240 a year. If you already have it, then check that it is sufficient as it may need topping up.

While installing solid wall insulation is expensive, it starts at about £5,000, it is highly effective and can save up to £500 a year in heating bills.

Although the figures are compelling, Neil Marshall says: “It is staggering that, despite years of campaigning and rising energy bills, over five million cavity walls in Britain still need insulating. There are also seven million lofts that have inadequate insulation and are in need of topping up.

While wrapping your home up warm is important, there are lots of other energy savings you can make. The Energy Saving Trust has this advice:

*Installing an eco-friendly shower head can save £140 on your annual gas bill, if your water is heated by a gas boiler.

*Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save £10 off your energy bills each year, per person. If everyone in a four person family did this it would lead to a total saving of £100 a year.

*Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £7 a year. Having a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves installed could save you between £80 and £165 a year. Turning down your room thermostat by one degree can save £90 a year.