Turn down your central heating - turning down your thermostat by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by 10% If a timer is fitted to the heating system use it to ensure that the heating system runs only when it is required.

Don't put furniture near radiators as this absorbs heat and stops warm air circulating. This means your heating system will run longer to get up to the required temperature and will increase your fuel bills.

Do not leave your television and Hi-Fi equipment on standby unnecessarily. This equipment will still use up to 30% of the full power when in standby mode. Switch off at the mains if they are not required.

Install loft insulation to a depth of 250mm (10 inches) can save around 20% of your heating costs

Install cavity wall insulation - up to 35% of the heat lost in an average home is lost through the walls. For advice on possible grants for these measures visit www.est.org.uk.

When buying new appliances choose the most energy efficient. Look out for energy labels on selected products:

Fit low energy light bulbs in lights used more than 3 hours a day - low energy bulbs use about a quarter of the electricity and last up to 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs