There's nothing worse than living in a cold house during the long winter months, especially if there are a few home improvements that could be made to ensure you stay cosy and warm during the cold weather. By taking a few simple steps to make your home warmer and more energy efficient you could make a huge difference to your comfort - and your purse - as well as the environment.

Electricity and gas suppliers have promised the Government that they will do their best to help people use energy more efficiently, enabling customers to save money and help the environment. So far they have already invested over £150 million in support of this aim. As part of their new 'Energy Efficiency Commitment', energy companies will be launching schemes around the country designed to help people improve their home comfort. And they want YOU to take advantage of what's on offer.

The good news is that if you are thinking about making your home more energy efficient and cheaper to run, then there are plenty of grants around to help you. According to a survey undertaken by the Energy Saving Trust, until now almost two-thirds of us have been unaware of these grants. Many householders were also under the impression that the offers were only available to the elderly or those on low incomes. But that's simply not the case. Everyone, whatever their circumstances, can take advantage.

There are many things that you can all do to make your home both warmer and more energy efficient. Roof insulation, cavity wall insulation and using energy efficient dishwashers and fridges can all help to dramatically reduce your household bills. Or what about putting a jacket on? Not you, but your hot water tank - if everyone in the UK does this CO2 emissions would be cut by 450,000 tonnes.

The schemes on offer vary around the country. To find out what is available to you, all you have to do is call the special freephone number 0800 587 2128 and give a few simple details. These will then be forwarded to your energy suppliers who will contact you to tell you which schemes you could be eligible for and how to apply. It's as simple as that! The new schemes will be launched in April, so now's the time to get your name down.

To tell you more about what savings you can make and what is on offer we have Keith Marsh, Chairman of the Energy Efficiency Working Group popping in for an online chat. Not only that, but he will also be able to offer hints and tips on how to make your home more environmentally friendly. So join us on the 1st February from 3.00pm - 4.00pm to find out how you can save money and keep warm at the same time.