Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Every year in the UK it kills around 50 people and sends 4000 to A&E for emergency treatment. Make sure you get all your combustion appliances properly serviced and fit an alarm. Good quality alarms are available from most DIY suppliers and take minutes to fit. It could save your life!

Draught excluders are a cheap way of cutting out the chill from poorly fitting doors and windows. Most are also easy to fit, a simple DIY task.

Use a microwave. Generally a microwave oven is the most efficient way to heat up and cook food.

Properly used, dishwashers use less water and energy than washing dishes by hand. However, make sure you only wash full loads and don’t pre-rinse everything in the sink first unless it really needs it.

Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – a running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute.

When cooking you can often use the residual heat to to save energy if you switch your cooker off just before you finish cooking. However, you still need to make sure that your food is properly cooked through.

Use the sun to reduce your heating bills. Leave internal doors open to rooms which trap the sun so the heat can spread to other areas.

Only fill your kettle with the water you need. You will save both water and energy.

Group shops are worth the effort! Whether you shop online or go to the supermarket together, buying food and other household items together can be a money-saver and a bit of a bonding experience. It can also reduce waste and saving on multiple deliveries will reduce your carbon footprint too. Afterall, how many loaves of bread do you need in you flat?

Some vulnerable people need to keep their homes warmer than normal. However, most of us can save money and energy by dressing for the weather and putting on a jumper before turning up the heating.