Faced with soaring gas and electricity prices, over one quarter of people have carried out energy and fuel saving home improvements over the last year, according to new research from Halifax, the UK’s largest mortgage lender.

The research has identified which energy and fuel saving home improvements have been carried out within the last 12 months, the cost of these improvements and the take up of energy grants. The research also covers the trend over the next 12 months and the amount of money these home improvements could save you on energy bills.

Halifax pointed out that since 2003, British Gas’ gas prices have risen by 91.1% and electricity prices by 81%, with the average household now spending around £1,135 a year on energy bills.

To bring the message home about high energy bills, Energywatch, the gas and electricity lobbyist, states that 85% of consumers are worried about energy prices and 99% are trying to save energy around the home.

---

Key Findings
- One third have carried out energy and fuel saving improvements over the past 12 months
- Fitting double glazing was the most popular energy and fuel saving home improvement
- The take-up of energy saving grants has been low
- One in five have energy and fuel saving home improvements on the agenda for the next 12 months
- Draught proofing hits the top spot over the next 12 months
- Over two in five say they will use an energy saving grant

---

The Halifax survey revealed that already, one third of respondents (30%) have carried out energy and fuel saving improvements within their home in the last year.The most popular energy and fuel saving home improvement with almost half of respondents (45%) was fitting double glazing, followed by new loft insulation (41%). A new boiler was the third most popular change with one third of respondents (30%) and fitting draught proofing was in fourth (27%.) In fifth place was fitting new radiators at 26%.

Over two in five (44%) of respondents have spent between £501 and £6,000 on energy saving home improvements over the last 12 months, whereas over one quarter of respondents (28%) have spent under £500.

However, only 22% of those respondents that carried out energy and fuel saving improvements over the last year used an energy saving grant towards the cost of these improvements.

Two thirds of respondents (67%) used grants for loft insulation, followed by cavity wall insulation at 47%. In addition, over one third of respondents (36%) used grants towards the cost of double glazing and draught proofing (35%.)

With regards to plans over the next 12 months 17% of respondents are committed to making energy and fuel saving home improvements in their home.

The main area of focus will be draught proofing (29%), followed by double glazing (27%.) Loft insulation is in third place with 26% and cavity wall insulations fall into fourth place with 22%. In fifth place were boilers and radiators at 21%.

---

Energy Saving Grants
- Energy saving grants are available from local councils, energy suppliers and specialist organisations, such as the Energy Saving Trust.
- The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is a non-profit body which advises people on energy saving measures and provides details of all grants on offer from the Government, energy suppliers and local authorities. The web site also enables you to sign up for an online home energy check, where a local adviser will offer free, impartial advice on making your home more efficient. Advice will also be offered about grants available in your area. Visit www.est.org.uk or call 0800 915 7722.
- British Gas offers householders £50 to £100 rebates on their Council tax if energy efficiency is improved in the house. The scheme is overseen by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to benefit from this scheme. Call 08459 335577 for more information.
- Free cavity wall insulation and other energy saving measures from power companies are also available to those who spend 10% of their income on energy bills.

---

So what could you save?
Halifax quoted Uswitch, who say you can save £275 per year if you put in loft insulation and if you have electric central heating. Also quoted were British Gas, saying that cavity wall insulation could save up to 30% on heating bills.Other suggestions include draught proofing your property which could cost around £50 and can save £20 per year on energy bills.

Replacing your old boiler can save you up to £180 a year while double glazing can reduce your annual energy bill by between £20 and £35 each year according to The National Energy Foundation.

Jon Sykes, head of mainstream mortgage products at Halifax, said:
“Making energy and fuel saving improvements could save householders hundreds of pounds a year. Energy savings will help to offset the rising cost of gas and electricity.”

Where to go for help on saving money on your energy bill:
Advice on energy efficiency
- www.energyfuture.org.uk offers information on energy efficiency.
- Energy efficiency helpline 0845 727 7200.
- The National energy Foundation - www.nef.org.uk