During the winter we spend more money on utilities; our electricity usage increases and our gas bills go up and the national grid has to work a lot harder than in summer. That being said, there are a number of things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home and it all starts with insulation.

Without proper insulation all of the energy and money spent on warming up your home will be wasted. Heat wants to escape; it finds crevasses, cracks and openings to escape through but insulating your home properly is reasonably easy and you don't have to be a DIY expert to perform some basic insulating maintenance.

The first step, literally, is to stroll through your house and try to spot potential air leaks in each room. From window frames to air vents, find and note every possible place where hot air could escape. Front doors with mail slots are a good place to start, as well as back doors. These doors are often on spring hinges and can allow a lot of energy to escape during the course of the day. If there are any measurements to be taken, you should note them down as well. This ensures you buy the correct amount of materials when it comes to stopping those leaks.

It is worth noting that if your doors, windows (or both) need substantial work, then it is advisable to seek the help of a professional. If your doors and window frames are wooden, and have warped from their original shape, you may need to reinstall them, a job that could be just a little too complex for the average person.

Fireplaces are another area through which much of your warm indoor air can escape - it is after all what they're intended for. Finding a good solution to insulate your fireplace to be as air tight as possible is essential.

It's not only insulating the exterior of your house that is important though, you need to ensure your indoor insulation is also intact. More than half of your property's heat can be lost through the walls or roof. Proper loft insulation can save you up to £225 per year and you can add another £125 to that when you consider the savings good cavity wall insulation provides.

Cavity wall insulation should be installed by a professional, whereas loft insulation is easy for even the most inexperienced DIY enthusiast. For optimum insulation it is recommended that you have a 270mm thick layer of loft insulation as a minimum.

Take care in insulating your home this winter as it could keep you and your family warmer as well as helping to reduce your energy bills.

At British Gas we're offering to install free loft and cavity wall insulation for all our energy and HomeCare customers. To register for free cavity wall and loft insulation, either call us on 0800 980 8177 or arrange a call back.

Our call centre advisors will then take you through the details of the offer and arrange a suitable date for a free no obligation survey of your home.

If you are eligible installation is quick and easy with no mess - and takes less than a day to complete. Take a look at the film below which takes you through the insulation process and shows you just how simple it is to keep your home warm this winter.

Notes:

Limited availability - Apply before 22nd December.
Our free insulation offer is subject to the results of your survey. Terms and conditions apply.