It is vital that our homes are fully prepared to deal with the cold winter months ahead.
The Executive funds the Energy Savings Trust (EST) to promote energy efficiency in Scotland.
According to the EST, £1.9 billion and 17.8 million tonnes of CO2 could be wasted as thermostats and electrical heaters are turned on full in a bid to heat the 21 million UK homes suffering from inadequate insulation this winter.
There are lots of different ways you can reduce your energy use and save hundreds of pounds each year on your energy bills.
EST has identified the following measures householders can take help prepare their homes this winter:
- Turn down the thermostat by one degree - this could cut your heating bills by up to 10 %.
- Hot water tank insulation. By fitting a jacket on your tank you can reduce heat loss by around 75 per cent.
- Insulating your loft to a depth of at least 270 mm is a great way of cutting down heat loss and, if you are handy around the home, you can even do it yourself.
- Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
- Use energy efficiency light bulbs. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and can reduce your lighting cost by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb.
- Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
- 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. Installing cavity wall insulation can save up to £120 per year from your heating bills.
- Replace boilers over 15 years old with a new energy efficient one. High efficiency condensing boilers are the most energy efficient and can save around a third of annual heating bills.
- Logging onto www.saveyour20percent.co.uk and completing the Energy Saving Trust's home energy check online will provide further information on how to prepare the home for winter. Alternatively, local Energy Efficiency Advice Centres (EEAC 0800 512 012) provide free and impartial advice on energy efficiency, as well as information on grants available to help implement energy efficient measures.