How can I make my home more energy efficient?

A new government report says more than one in 10 new homes in Britain do not meet legal requirements for energy efficiency, so it's no wonder tens of thousands of householders have higher energy bills. Record fuel prices are only adding to this tale of financial woe.

The government has identified improving households" energy efficiency as the best way to reduce carbon emissions at the same time as keeping a lid on rising utility bills.

Since April 2008, all new homes have had to meet stringent standards on draught proofing, lighting and heating. They all need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) indicating how they rate. But at least 30,000 of the 300,000 homes built since then do not meet these legal standards, according to new official figures.

Andrew Warren, director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, said: "With energy costs mounting — never mind the environmental issues — it"s perfectly respectable to expect that buildings meet the minimum legal standards for energy efficiency."

But there is hope — you can make your home's heating efficient. A HeatingSave controller from can make 15% to 30% fuel savings easily. Install and forget is the principal of HeatingSave as its internal computer constantly calculates and improves the efficiency — and savings — of your central heating system.