There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to save energy in the home these days. To begin with, prices of gas and electricity in Europe have been very high in recent times, and so you can save a lot of money by making your home more efficient. As well as saving money, we all need to do our bit to help fight climate change by reducing the amount of energy we use. Finally, some of the things you can do to save energy in your home, such as installing insulation, can make your home warmer and more comfortable in winter.

The U.K. government and some local authorities are keen to encourage people to save energy in order to help it meet European targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to help people cut the amount they have to pay in energy bills. They offer big grants to help pay for home energy efficiency, such as installing insulation or more efficient central heating. However, you need to know what is available and how to apply

Almost everyone is eligible to receive a major contribution to the cost of installing insulation in their home, or else a more efficient heating system that saves energy. The main way you can do this is by arranging for your insulation or heating upgrade to be done by one of the major national insulation or central heating companies or, alternatively through a major energy supplier. You first need to arrange for a quote from them, and in the quote they should let you know how much you can qualify for in grants. If you agree to the quote, they will then take care of all the paperwork and administration as well as completing the work for you.

Many local authorities will also make a contribution to the cost of insulation and heating improvements. You should look on your local authority web-site, or contact them by phone to see what grants are available specifically from them and how you can apply.

Finally, it is quite possible that you will be able to get all of this work done for free. The UK Government provides up to £2,700 to households where a member of the household is receiving certain benefits. In England the scheme is called ‘Warm Front’, In Northern Ireland it is ‘Warm Homes’, in Scotland ‘Warm Deal’, and in Wales it is the ‘Home Energy Efficiency Scheme’. If you receive any benefits, you should contact your energy supplier or a major insulation or central heating installer, and they can tell you what kind of work you can have done for free. When you have the work done, they should also take care of the administration for you, leaving you free to enjoy a more comfortable home and lower heating bills.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

“Wood pellet stoves have always been a popular items with our members but it was more for aesthetics than actually saving money. With the uncertainty of oil and natural gas prices, more of our members are buying wood pellet stoves to save money,” said Sara Shragal of DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center. “What’s even more interesting has been the popularity of coal-burning stoves with the advent of clean-burning anthracite coal.”

Anthracite coal comes in three sizes: rice, pea and nut. Some sources report being able to heat a 3,000 square-foot room for as little as $3 per day. Unlike its predecessor, bituminous coal, anthracite burns cleanly.

Wood pellet-burning stoves provide a similar benefit in price and heat. While the increasing popularity of wood-burning stoves has seen the price of wood pellets range from as low as $209 to $299 per ton, two tons of pellets can heat an average-sized home through the winter.

“The beauty of the wood-burning and coal-burning stoves is that you’re not a slave to your thermostat anymore. And because it’s more affordable, you can heat your home to a temperature you’re comfortable in, not what the thermostat says,” adds Shragal.

DirectBuy offers both coal- and wood-burning stoves through its 160-plus showrooms across North America. In addition, DirectBuy also boasts a rolodex of local installation professionals who can help safely install wood and coal-burning stoves, often at a discounted rate for members.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings,  home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

AboutDirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.