Whether it is to save the planet or save household expenses, Derbyshire residents are being encouraged to find new ways to reduce their carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

March 2010 - Figures from the trust show that Derby households produce enough carbon emissions a year to fill 29 double-decker buses. In comparison, Nottingham households would fill three buses fewer. Leicester would produce exactly the same amount.

Michael Gallagher, an adviser from the Energy Saving Trust advice centre East Midlands visited Brenda Taylor, a 70-year-old Erewash resident, to assess how energy-efficient her property was and what she could do to save resources and money. But, with four grandchildren, Mrs Taylor said she was more interested in finding ways to save the environment for future generations. She said: "The advice I received was so enlightening - it was such a marvellous thing."

The energy assessment lasted only half an hour, during which householder Brenda Taylor was taught how to slash her household bills for example by putting reflectors behind her radiators and topping up her loft insulation. "I can't believe it's so easy to make changes that will help keep the environment intact. "I'll certainly be taking on board all the advice I've been given."

In Derbyshire, Erewash would produce enough to fill 30 double-decker buses, South Derbyshire 31, Amber Valley 32 and a worrying 36 in the Derbyshire Dales. While the trust could not say exactly why there were differences between each area, they cited lack of access to public transport and older housing stock with less-insulated walls as possible reasons.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: "We believe that carbon emissions will be dropping in all areas in the coming months, as more people work towards saving energy. "That is why it is so important everybody does their bit."During the one-off home check, Mr Gallagher carried out a full inspection of Mrs Taylor's property, pointing out where she could make simple changes.

Michael Gallagher praised Mrs Taylor on having cavity wall insulation around her home, keeping it warmer and saving her £160 a year. He was also impressed with her new boiler, complete with a thermostat, cutting a third off her heating bills. Having her hot water pipes insulated also means Mrs Taylor is being energy efficient by not losing heat through them. She was also praised for keeping the temperature inside her house at 18C, the lowest comfortable setting.

The advice Mrs Taylor was given, however, included increasing the thickness of her loft insulation to 270mm, to save £60 a year. She was also advised to switch to low-energy light bulbs throughout the house for a saving of £18 a year. Standard bulbs are already being phased out by the Government, retailers and energy companies. However, some will not be taken off the shelves until 2011 and the trust is keen to get people to switch as soon as possible. Further advice included buying reflective radiator panels, rolls of foam installed behind the radiator to prevent heat loss through windows or external walls.

Mr Gallagher said: "Mrs Taylor's house was already quite energy-efficient but there are still some things she could do to improve efficiency. " In a standard semi-detached property, however, owners can be losing an average £360 a year by wasting energy. "There are some expensive measures that can be taken to save energy but there are lots of simple measures, too. Either way, they're all good investments for the future."

The Energy Saving Trust advice centre East Midlands is urging home owners to target the places most vulnerable to wasting energy. These include poorly-insulated walls and roofs, single-glazed windows and doors with large gaps. Old equipment and appliances in the house, such as boilers, washing machines and fridges, can also cost money and energy. But the trust says reducing emissions does not have to be expensive and can be done by those on a shoestring budget, to help lower the bills. Low-cost advice includes using the right-sized pan on the hob and not boiling any more water in the kettle than needed.

Denise Marsdon, centre manager at the Energy Saving Trust advice centre, said: "More than a quarter of carbon emissions come from our homes, so it is vital that we all work together to reduce the amount of energy we waste. "The important thing to remember is that, not only does saving energy reduce your impact on the climate, but it will also save you money on your energy bill."

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