Energy bills can often make up a huge part of your monthly household outgoings, but there are some things you could do to help reduce the costs.
If your home is suitable, cavity wall and loft insulation could help you save up to £310* per year, and many companies even offer to install it for you for free as part of their obligations to energy efficiency^.
Cavity wall insulation works by filling the gap between the two layers of a buildings external wall, helping to keep warmth in and save energy. Most homes built after 1920 were built with cavity walls. Loft insulation works in a similar way as it helps to keep warmth in, but it can be even more effective as heat rises – up to a quarter of your heat could be lost through an un-insulated loft.
Before you begin this process, there are a few things to check. Not all homes are suitable for cavity wall or loft insulation. Some things that may make your home unsuitable are if:
- You live in a housing association property or are a council tenant
- You live in a flat
- Your home is built from natural stone or concrete or has a timber or metal frame
- You already have insulation (properties under 10 years old tend to already be insulated)
Most suppliers will carry out a survey to find out if your home is suitable.
Below are some great offers~ you could take advantage of if your home is suitable:
- EDF Energy – Free cavity wall and loft insulation this winter – you don’t even need to be a customer.
- Tesco – Free cavity wall and loft insulation for all, plus 2,500 free Clubcard points for eligible customers for a limited time only.
- E-on - Free home insulation plus £100 cheque for the recipients of certain benefits.
- British Gas - Free cavity wall or loft insulation for existing customers.
- If you’re over 70, you could also benefit from free insulation offers from E-on, Scottish Power or Scottish and Southern Energy.
The offers~ above were taken from Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com. Please visit the site for more information.
If these money tips aren’t enough and you still feel like you may need a small loan to tide you through, then we may be able to help. We could offer you a small cash loan from £100-£500 over 14 – 52 weeks. If you are interested in applying for one of our loans, visit our loans page for more details or click here to apply.
These hints and tips are for information purposes only and do not constitute any advice or recommendation. Your attention is drawn to the website Terms and Conditions.
* Information provided by the Energy Saving Trust. All savings figures are based on a typical three-bedroom house heated by gas with an average gas price of 4.49p/kWh and an average boiler efficiency of 78%. Actual savings for a particular household will vary depending on the size and construction of the house, and the way the occupants use the heating system and appliances
^ Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) outlined by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
~Offer details checked and verified on the individual suppliers websites on 12/01/2012.
