Plumbing - ''Start small with green projects''

29/05/2008

When considering property improvements such as renewable energy technologies, homeowners should start with small projects first, it has been advised.

Adam Vaughn, author of e-books Smartplanet and the Greenguy, noted that the amount of information available about renewable energy projects in the public domain can be confusing.

"One of the key things that people want to know when it comes to saving energy in the home is what the priorities are," Mr Vaughn claimed.

He recommended that homeowners carry out easy tasks, including installing energy-saving lightbulbs and altering heating control settings, before tackling larger projects such as fitting solar water heating and new boilers.

According to research by Worcester Bosch Group, 66 per cent of respondents believe that the home is the best place to become more environmentally friendly, with 18 per cent installing a high-efficiency condensing boiler.

The Energy Saving Trust claims a modern condensing boiler can reduce a home's carbon emissions by up to 875 kilogrammes a year and save the user £110.