Energywatch, the gas and electricity lobbyist, states that 85% of consumers are worried about energy prices and 99% are trying to save energy around the home. 

Now new research from Halifax has identified which energy and fuel saving home improvements have been carried out within the last 12 months, the cost of these improvements and the take up of energy grants. 

The research also covers the trend over the next 12 months and the amount of money these home improvements could save you on energy bills.

The most popular energy and fuel saving home improvement with almost half of respondents (45%) was fitting double glazing, followed by new loft insulation (41%) in second place.  A new boiler was the third most popular change with one third of respondents (30%) and fitting draught proofing was in fourth (27%.)  In fifth place was fitting new radiators at 26%.

Surprisingly, the take up of energy saving grants has been low - less than one quarter of respondents who have carried out energy and fuel saving home improvements over the past 12 months used an energy saving grant.

17% of respondents plan to carry out energy and fuel saving home improvements over the next 12 months:

• Draught proofing is the most popular energy and fuel saving home improvement to be carried out over the next 12 months (29%.)
• 44% of respondents who are looking to carry out energy and fuel saving home improvements over the next 12 months will be looking to apply for an energy saving grant.

The cost of energy and fuel saving home improvements:

Over two in five (44%) of respondents have spent between £501 and £6,000 on energy saving home improvements over the last 12 months, whereas over one quarter of respondents (28%) have spent under £500.

Two in five (44%) respondents plan to take advantage of an energy saving grant when addressing these home improvements.  Almost one third of respondents (32%) plan to use grants for draught proofing and loft insulation (31%), followed by cavity wall insulation at 27% and a new boiler at 24%.

How much energy and fuel saving home improvements could save you on energy bills:

• Loft insulation:
  The National Energy Foundation states that one third of heat produced by a central heating system is rapidly lost through the roof, ceiling and walls and 20% of energy bills can be saved by good loft insulation. The environment minister, Elliot Morley, has stated that £1 in every £3 spent on heating is currently being wasted in 10.3m homes because of poor insulation.  According to EST investing in loft and cavity wall insulation can save you £100 per year and according to Uswitch, you can save £275 per year if you put in loft insulation and if you have electric central heating.
• Cavity Wall insulation:
  The National Energy Foundation states that up to half of all heat is lost through the walls of a house that is not insulated.  Wall insulation can reduce this loss by up to two-thirds.
  According to British Gas, cavity wall insulation could save up to 30% on heating bills.  EST valuates these savings at £100 per year.
• Draught proofing:
  According to EST, draught proofing your property costs around £50 and can save £20 per year on energy bills.
• Boiler:
  Replacing your old boiler can save you up to £180 a year, according to EST.
• Double glazing:
  Double glazing can reduce your annual energy bill by between £20 and £35 each year, according to The National Energy Foundation.
• Radiators:
  Fitting thermostatic radiator valves, which stops you from heating rooms that you are not using, will provide annual cost savings of between £10 and £20, according to The National Energy Foundation.
• Energy saving light bulbs:
  According to the National Energy Foundation, energy saving light bulbs use about a quarter of the electricity of normal light bulbs and last eight times longer.  The annual saving on your energy bill is £5.
• Solar panel:
  According to the Energy Saving Trust, a solar water heater can provide all your hot water in the summer and half in the winter and costs around £8,000.   This cost includes a 50% discount from a government grant.  This kind of system saves between £80 and £100 in annual electricity bills.