What help is available when considering home improvements?
With a significant percentage of the UK's population feeling the financial pinch many are looking for ways to reduce their monthly outgoings.
With energy prices expecting to continue rising an excellent way of achieving this is by improving the energy efficiency of your property.
Energy supplied to private residencies contributes to a quarter of all CO2 emissions in the UK and can be one of the most significant contributing factors in your carbon footprint, so energy efficiency improvements can lead to a more environmentally friendly property as well as saving you on average £250 a year.
The best way to save energy is to keep the heat in and this is most easily achieved by improving your properties insulation. Structural improvements have the greatest impact so check for draughts in rooms and plug them, install double glazing to your house and porches, and look to add loft and cavity wall insulation. These all create barriers to the flow of heat from your property. For example 18% of heat is lost through windows and double glazed windows can reduce this heat loss by 10-12% when compared to traditional windows. Next, consider installing energy efficient appliances and light bulbs to reduce your consumption of electricity in your day to day living.
With national targets to reduce CO2 emissions the government is providing considerable funding towards improving energy efficiency of the nation's homes. Grants are available that may meet or provide towards the cost of certain work. Both local and national government and the energy suppliers are also helping homeowners.
Currently the government offers grants to homeowners and private tenants that can pay up to £3500 (£6000 in some cases) towards the cost of heating and insulation improvements via the Warm Front Scheme. To qualify you must be receiving a disability or income-related benefit and help is available for improvements to loft insulation, draught proofing, cavity wall insulation and hot water tank insulation.
The governments Energy Savings Trust (EST) has an informative website listing most grants or call on 0800 512 012
Private energy suppliers have a range of grants available as well.
For example EON offer free cavity wall and loft insulation to those over 70, those who receive means tested benefits or those who qualify for Child Tax Credit. Interestingly you don't even need to be a customer to access this grant.
British gas currently offers all its customers grants towards cavity wall and loft insulation without the need to be on benefits. This offer ends on the 31st of October 2011 so act quickly.
There may also be grants available from your local council or if you belong to one, your housing association.
For example St Albans City and District council offer free cavity wall and loft insulation to those on benefits or the over 70's and £148 towards the cost for other home owners.
This will vary across the country so it's best to check your local council's website for further information.
As the winter months approach now is a great time to examine your options for a warmer more environmentally friendly home.
With energy prices expecting to continue rising an excellent way of achieving this is by improving the energy efficiency of your property.
Energy supplied to private residencies contributes to a quarter of all CO2 emissions in the UK and can be one of the most significant contributing factors in your carbon footprint, so energy efficiency improvements can lead to a more environmentally friendly property as well as saving you on average £250 a year.
The best way to save energy is to keep the heat in and this is most easily achieved by improving your properties insulation. Structural improvements have the greatest impact so check for draughts in rooms and plug them, install double glazing to your house and porches, and look to add loft and cavity wall insulation. These all create barriers to the flow of heat from your property. For example 18% of heat is lost through windows and double glazed windows can reduce this heat loss by 10-12% when compared to traditional windows. Next, consider installing energy efficient appliances and light bulbs to reduce your consumption of electricity in your day to day living.
With national targets to reduce CO2 emissions the government is providing considerable funding towards improving energy efficiency of the nation's homes. Grants are available that may meet or provide towards the cost of certain work. Both local and national government and the energy suppliers are also helping homeowners.
Currently the government offers grants to homeowners and private tenants that can pay up to £3500 (£6000 in some cases) towards the cost of heating and insulation improvements via the Warm Front Scheme. To qualify you must be receiving a disability or income-related benefit and help is available for improvements to loft insulation, draught proofing, cavity wall insulation and hot water tank insulation.
The governments Energy Savings Trust (EST) has an informative website listing most grants or call on 0800 512 012
Private energy suppliers have a range of grants available as well.
For example EON offer free cavity wall and loft insulation to those over 70, those who receive means tested benefits or those who qualify for Child Tax Credit. Interestingly you don't even need to be a customer to access this grant.
British gas currently offers all its customers grants towards cavity wall and loft insulation without the need to be on benefits. This offer ends on the 31st of October 2011 so act quickly.
There may also be grants available from your local council or if you belong to one, your housing association.
For example St Albans City and District council offer free cavity wall and loft insulation to those on benefits or the over 70's and £148 towards the cost for other home owners.
This will vary across the country so it's best to check your local council's website for further information.
As the winter months approach now is a great time to examine your options for a warmer more environmentally friendly home.
