When you have done all that you can for free, think about actions that cost realtively little and will soon recoup the initial outlay. Some of these are best taken when you are making changes anyway; others can be made at any time.

• Dry-line and insulate external walls and insulate any uninsulated cavity walls
• Draught-strip all external doors and windows and seal gaps around pipes, cat-flap etc
• Put foil panels behind radiators on external walls and fix shelves above radiators
• Make sure your hot-water tank has at least 75mm of insulation, insulate hot water pipes and increase loft insulation to 270 mm
• ‘Shrink-wrap’ single-glazed windows for winter and install DIY secondary glazing on appropriate windows
• Look for high-performance double- or triple-glazed windows and doors
• Fit a water butt to collect rainwater for gardening  
• Look for the EU energy label whenever replacing electrical goods; on unrated appliances (TVs, Hi-Fi for example), ask about energy efficiency
• Choose a condensing boiler and upgrade controls, radiator valves and the hot water cylinder
• Upgrade light fittings to take low energy bulbs

• Choose a wood-burning stove rather than an open fire  
• Use FSC timber, natural insulation materials like sheep’s wool, flax and hemp, natural fibres for floor coverings and organic, low-solvent paints.