Loft insulation recommended

Insulation is one of the best ways in which households can save energy and cut down their fuel bills, it has been claimed.

According to the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), every household in the UK should fit their lofts with recommended standard 250mm-thick insulation.

Andrew Leech of the NHIC commented: "If you add together all the gaps through which draughts get into an average semi-detached house, they would be the equivalent of a hole in the wall the size of nine bricks … So good draught proofing is also essential."

Research by the Energy Saving Trust found that £1.9 billion is spent every year lighting UK homes, while one energy-saving light bulb in every household could power the Blackpool illuminations for almost 900 years and save enough carbon dioxide to fill the Albert Hall nearly 2,000 times over.

The NHIC represents businesses and organisations operating in the home improvement industry.