Jemma Walton took senior advisor at the Energy Saving Trust Pamela Hutton, AKA the Energy Doctor, to visit three homes to see how their owners can make them that little bit greener.

Case study 1: Name: Nigel Bringham
Type of house:1930s solid walls, in Princes Street, city centre.
If House Doctor's recommendations were followed, would save: £384.
How energy efficient is his house?
(A is the best, G is the worst): E, but could be a C.

What improvements could he make right now:

• 1. Loft insulation. This would save him about £20 per year.


• 2. Boiler upgrade and controls upgrade for radiators, so that the boiler isn't working harder than it needs to and creating heat that won't actually be used in the house.


• 3. Draft insulation, or double glazing.

Nigel said: "My wife and I are very conscious of the environment, we don't have a car, and the whole family either walks or bikes to where they need to go.

"We also never fly, because it's incredibly bad for the environment. We had thought about getting solar-powered hot water, as we have a south-facing house, which would be perfect for it.

"But it's probably best to get the little things sorted first, and so I definitely will be draft-proofing the windows, and putting in loft insulation. And yes, I suppose we'll have to think about changing the boiler, rather than being taken by surprise when it breaks down."


Case study 2: Name: Trevor McSparron
Type of house: Post-war with cavity wall, in Swallowfield, Werrington.
If House Doctor's recommendations were followed, would save: £77 a year.
How energy efficient is his house?
(A is the best, G is the worst): C, but could be a B.

What improvements could he make right now: Trevor is already very keyed up on all things green, and has things like full double glazing, a room thermostat on the heating system and spray foam insulation on the hot water cylinder.

But he could:

• 1. Insulate his loft. This could save him £9.50 a year, which doesn't sound a lot, but would add up over the course of a lifetime spent living in the house.


• 2. Install a fully controlled Energy Saving Recommended boiler. This would use a third less fuel than a 15-year-old one.


• 3. Make sure that his room thermostat is set at the right temperature, typically between 18 and 21 degrees.

Trevor said: "I'll take the Energy Doctor's advice because I like to be as green as possible. It doesn't take much, just a few little adjustments.

"Take water butts – I've got three, and they didn't cost much, and a water pump, which cost about £100, and I wash the car with the water I've collected.

"I only need one more and I'll get some money back from Anglia Water for getting all the water off my roof. Being green isn't about denying yourself things or never going on holiday – the world is there to be seen, after all. But you can try to be as green as possible, and do your bit, often without really noticing you're doing it."


Case study 3: Name: Stuart Dawks
Type of house: Modern house built in 1997, Morborn Road, Hampton Hargate.
If House Doctor's recommendations were followed would save: £79 a year

How energy efficient is his house? (A is the best, G is the worst) - C. But if he made House Doctor's changes he could be a B.

What improvements can he make right now:

• 1. Loft insulation. Loft insulation is readily available in DIY stores, or can be professionally fitted. In an average house with an un-insulated loft, more than 25 per cent of heat is lost through the roof.


• 2. Boiler upgrade. A boiler should be replaced every 15 years, and it's better to schedule a change in, rather than wait for it to conk out and have to replace it in a panic. An Energy Saving Recommended rated boiler uses a third less fuel than a 15-year-old one.


• 3. Fit low-energy light bulbs. Although they cost a little bit more than standard ones, they will pay for themselves within six months, and over the course of their lifetime each bulb can save you £100.

Stuart said: "Fitting low energy lightbulbs really makes sense, and it's really easy to do, so we'll definitely be doing that, but as for the boiler – we'll see."

Will the Energy Doctor visit my house?
Sorry, but the Home Doctor is a very busy lady and can't do home visits.

However, you can carry out an energy check on your home yourself, though.

All you need to do is go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/anglia_advice_centre and follow the Get a Free Home Energy Report link.

The Energy Saving Trust can also send you a leaflet, which will give you all the advice you need to allow you to do the check yourself, just call it on 0800 512012 or visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk