Stone Life February/March 2014 | Page 36

HOMES AND GARDENS Make changes today and enjoy tomorrow t is no secret that people are prepared to try almost anything to tighten up those purse strings at the moment so if you want to start spending less, why not start in the home with a few, inexpensive improvements which could really give you that cheaper, ‘greener’ home. Most high energy bills can be traced to one or a combination of common problems, such as using high energy appliances or having insufficient insulation. To get started making your home green, follow the steps below: Start by changing the light bulbs in your mostused living areas to energy saving ones. These cost around £3 each but last up to eight times longer than normal bulbs. Each bulb only saves around £7 a year, but considering how many bulbs there are in your house, it soon adds up. I “ Having some quality loft insulation can really save big money too. The recommended 270mm insulation costs around £250 to put down yourself, and soon pays for itself, saving well over £100 a year. Other simple cost-cut measures include sealing air leaks letting the warmth out. This can be achieved through inexpensive foam strips which can be used on windows and doors to seal the gap. Keeping the heat in means less energy is needed to keep your home warm. These small measures can really help make your home more energy efficie