| We are all very aware that saving energy is great | | | | attendance allowance, disability living allowance, |
| for the environment as well as saving us some much | | | | income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, |
| needed pennies in these tricky economic times. But | | | | war disablement pension and Industrial injuries |
| how do we save energy? | | | | disablement. You will get an appointed engineer to |
| There are many ways you can save energy at home | | | | come out complete a technical survey of the work. |
| and thanks to the government huge ambitious CO2 | | | | One way to save energy from the appliances in your |
| emission reduction targets there is plenty of help and | | | | home is to turn them off when not using them. It |
| incentives. | | | | may sound simple but if you were to do this over a |
| The government launched a boiler scrappage scheme | | | | full year the savings would be quite substantial. |
| which was effectively offering a discount (around | | | | Leaving hall lights on is a complete waste of energy |
| £400) off a new energy efficient boiler. There were | | | | so this makes perfect sense. You could also try using |
| curtain requirements like the age of your boiler. | | | | candles in the evening rather than your living room |
| Unfortunately due to popular demand this came to an | | | | lamps. Using candles creates a nice atmospheric feel |
| end at the end of March. It got a lot of plumbers | | | | to your home and if you use scented candles you |
| back in work and the gas companies have enjoyed | | | | can stop using aerosols to keep your home smelling |
| the profits from this scheme, due to this there are | | | | nice and fresh. |
| still gas companies offering the same discounts. So | | | | Energy saving light bulbs are all the rave and they are |
| one way to save energy would be to get a new | | | | getting better and better. Some of them take some |
| boiler installed and getting these discounts while they | | | | time to warm up as it were but once they are fine. |
| are still available. | | | | Another serious energy saver is to only fill your |
| Another government scheme which is still ongoing | | | | kettle for as much as you need. If your making one |
| but is only available in England is the 'Warm Front | | | | cup then fill the kettle up for one cup. You can now |
| Grant' which could be up to £3,500 or up to | | | | buy certain kettles which only heat the water as you |
| £6,000 if your home needs oil central heating. This | | | | are pouring it. |
| scheme helps you with heating and installation | | | | Getting double glazing for your home is another good |
| improvements for your home whether you live in | | | | one. You will be amazed at how warming your home |
| privately rented home or privately owned. This could | | | | is when you have good quality double glazing, and it |
| include loft installation, draught proofing, cavity wall | | | | will last for years and years. |
| installation, hot water tank installation. You could be | | | | If you follow some or all of the above tips over time |
| entitled to this grant if you get any of the following | | | | you will be saving energy which means saving the |
| benefits: working tax credit, child tax credit, | | | | environment and also saving you money. |