1. Boilers...if it isn't broken, it still might need fixing.
We rarely think of our boilers - until they go 'bang'! Boilers usually break down in winter so it's essential you check yours in the summer. If your boiler is over 15 years old, it's probably time you replaced it with a new energy efficient one. High efficiency condensing boilers are the most energy efficient and can help save you around a third on your heating bills straight away, and even more if you upgrade to modern controls. If we all switched to a condensing boiler, we'd save around £1.8 billion a year! To compare old and new boilers visit www.boilers.org.uk.

2. Look for cavities.
Around 33% of the heat lost in your home is through the walls, so insulating them can be the most cost-effective way to save energy in the home. Not all buildings are suitable, but if your home was built between the 1920s and 1980s then it could be a candidate for cavity wall insulation and you could save £130 to £160 on your annual heating bills! Like double-glazing, cavity wall insulation will keep you cool in the summer and warm in winter. It's a straightforward, inexpensive and hassle-free job. If we all had our cavity walls filled tomorrow, together we'd save over £962 million of energy every year!

3. Be nice to your freezer.
Fridge freezers are the most hardworking appliances in our kitchens - in fact, UK households use £1.5 billion worth of electricity on refrigeration and freezing alone every year. To help cut costs, don't leave the door open longer than necessary, as cold air will escape. Avoid putting hot food into the fridge, defrost the freezer regularly and check the door seals are working properly.

4. Look for the energy saving trust logo (see left).
Look out for this when you're buying new electrical appliances. The logo appears on a growing range of products - from light bulbs to laundry appliances, indicating the most energy efficient appliances which are also cheaper to run. Replacing an old, energy inefficient fridge-freezer with a new Energy Saving Recommended one could save you up to £45 every year. If we all made the change this week, together we'd save over £589 million every year!

5. Treat your hot water tank...give it a jacket
An insulating jacket for hot water tanks only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £20 a year. If every UK household fitted a jacket on their tank tomorrow, we'd save over £95 million of energy every year!

6. Draw at dusk...close your curtains.
As the days get chillier, closing your curtains at dusk will stop heat escaping through windows.

7. A bright idea...buy an energy efficient light bulb.
When the days are shorter you'll be relying on your lights more. Trade up your ordinary light bulbs for energy saving ones. Priced from just £3.50, energy efficient light bulbs last up to 12 times longer and for each bulb you fit, you can save up to £9 on your annual electricity bill. If every UK household installed just one bulb we'd save over £66 million per year!

8. Take to the floor...defeating draughts.
Stop draughts and heat escaping by filling gaps under skirting boards with beading or mastic sealant. That's £10 - £20 off your bills every year!

9. See double...and cut heat loss by 50%.
Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could cut your heating bill by up to £100 a year.

10. Be switched on - take a Home Energy Check.
For a report on how much energy can be saved in your own home, fill out the Energy Saving Trust’s online questionnaire. Alternatively, you can obtain a paper version by calling your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) on 0800 512 012. Our staff at your local EEAC can also provide you with free, impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient and talk to you about the grants available in your area to implement energy efficient measures.

Above information courtesy of the Energy Savings Trust.