Most households see their energy bills shoot up during the winter, but savings can be made by carrying out a few green DIY projects.
The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has offered some tips on how to conserve energy in the home and bring costs down.
It said that combined, its ideas could help families cut around £400 a year from their overall energy bills.
The first is to install energy saving lightbulbs, which can save up to £100 a year, while turning down the thermostat to between 18 and 21 degrees centigrade can save around £65 a year.
Going further and installing heating and hoot water boiler controls to minimise waste can shave off another £100, as they allow households to heat water at the times when it is most needed.
Finally, replacing an old boiler with a new energy efficient one could save around £128 annually after the initial investment.
Giuliani Digilio, the ECA's energy saving expert, said: "When putting the clocks back this October think about taking a few simple and relatively inexpensive steps, which can be financially rewarding, particularly in the face of energy price hikes over the next few years."
Posted by Thomas Morris
