How to cut your utility bills

There are a variety of ways that you can insulate your property to stop heat escaping so that you can stay warm for less.

It's certainly worth investigating as insulation can make a big difference to your energy bills and there are lots of grants & discounts available to help you shoulder the cost.

That said, it is always worth comparing the initial outlay with the expected saving on your energy bills each year (the Energy Saving Trust have information about this on their website). This will enable you to work out how long it will take you to save the money you have spent so that you can decide whether it's worth it.

You can find out if you qualify for any discounts, offers or grants from the Energy Saving Trust (EST). There is a handy search on the EST website that you can use to find the provider that will offer you the best deal on loft, cavity wall and/or solid wall insulation and draught proofing. You should also check with your energy provider directly as they may offer discounted deals too.

Make sure that you find out exactly what is included in the cost - installation, materials and/or any form of guarantee - so you can compare quotes side by side. It's also really important to use a reputable company; the Energy Saving Trust only recommends members of the National Insulation Association.

One of the most effective measures is loft insulation as your home loses lots of heat through the roof. It's currently recommended that you install at least 270mm of insulation for maximum benefit so it's worth checking what you have now and adding more if needs be.

Depending on the type of property you have cavity or solid wall insulation is likely to be a worthwhile investment too as the savings can be huge.

However, there are numerous other ways that you can insulate your home to save money including:

• Installing double-glazing. This can be expensive to fit so find out if you qualify for a grant. Even if you don't, it's worth looking the savings made on your energy bills and the benefits of loss of condensation and noise, not to mention added saleability of your home, as these could outstrip the cost of the investment over a number of years.
• Insulate wooden or laminated floors as this will help to reduce heat escaping below.
• Fill in gaps and cracks in skirting boards around your house with a tube of sealant. This is a DIY job that's relatively easy to do and will help to reduce draughts and energy loss in your home.
• Fit draught excluder's to gaps in doors and window frames.
• Insulate your boiler and pipes with cylinder jackets.
• Place a piece of cardboard covered in tin foil behind radiators to help bounce heat back in to the room.