Be warmer and greener

As the temperature starts to drop, we all want to keep our homes warm and cosy. But with scientists warning about climate change, many of us feel guilty when turning up the heating.

Here are some tips on how you can stay snug while doing your bit for the planet, as well as an idea of costs from the Energy Saving Trust.

Draught-proof your home

If you live in an older property, chances are some of the heat is escaping through the gaps in your doors, windows, flooring and chimney.

It’ll cost around £200 for professional draught-proofing but you can also fit it yourself if you’re comfortable with a spot of DIY.

A couple of hours’ work could make your home warmer in an instant and save you around £35 a year on your energy bills.

Insulate your property

If your home isn’t insulated, you’ll be heating your garden while you’re trying to keep warm indoors. Whether you have cavity walls or solid walls, you can get them insulated.

Lofts can also be insulated as can your water pipes. If you live in a property with a ground floor, you can insulate under the floorboards too.

It’s a more expensive project; it will cost around £11,000 to insulate external solid walls on a typical three-bedroom, semi-detached house. However, it could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your energy bills.

Turn down the thermostat

If you’re healthy, your thermostat should be set between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius to keep your home warm but green during the colder months.

If it’s above this, consider dropping down. Even if you’re already in this range, you won’t notice a one degree until you get your energy bills. This tiny reduction could save you around £145 a year.

Switch to renewable energy

For greener heating, switch your energy tariff to one that’s greener. The large suppliers have green tariffs that deliver 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.

Green gas is trickier, but more suppliers are now offering 100% carbon offset gas so you can heat your home and help the planet too.

Install energy generating technology

Rather than pay for someone else to provide your electricity, consider generating your own through solar panels and other sources.

For solar panels you’ll need a roof space of 10-20 square metres, ideally south facing, to deliver 20% to 45% of your electricity. The average domestic system costs around £7,000 but it should pay for itself in around 16 years.

More green energy options are becoming available too, including ground source heat pumps, home wind turbines and biomass boilers. These are all significant investments but prices are likely to fall as the UK looks to cut carbon emissions.

By adopting energy saving tips, it’s possible to have a cosy home and green credentials. Whatever you do to keep your space warmer and greener over the coming months, discover how Co-op Insurance can help you insure it.