It seems that wherever you turn these days, you’re being handed free energy saving light bulbs. Last weekend was the London Lightbulb Amnesty, and this weekend The Sun is giving away 2 free energy saving bulbs with every paper bought this Saturday. So, that’s Saturday the 19th January 2008, you’ll have to find a participating store (see list at the bottom of this blog post) and get there while stocks last, and your reward will be a Sun branded twin pack of GE 11W energy saving light bulbs with each copy of The Sun purchased.

Once you’ve changed your light bulbs to the energy saving kind, how about taking it a step further and looking at other ways that you can save energy in the home? Here are some practical ideas for saving energy (and money):

1. Close your curtains at dusk - this helps trap heat in your home.

2. Turn down your thermostat by one degree and put on a jumper.

3. Only boil as much water as you need for teas and coffees (or invest in the amazing eco-kettle, I have one and love it).

4. Don’t leave appliances on standby. If it’s too much trouble to go around switching everything off, this little gadget will do it all for you at the touch of a button.

5. Install cavity wall insulation and insulate your loft. Information on grants for insulation are available via the Energy Saving Trust.

6. Buy appliances that are ‘A’ rated for energy. There is plenty of choice these days. Take your pick of dishwashers, fridges, washing machines, and cookers.

7. If your boiler is more than 15 years old, replace it with a more efficient condensing boiler.

8. Wash your clothes at 30′C (and opt for a brand like Ecover or Aquados to ensure that you’re not polluting the planet while you wash).

9. Leave the car at home for short journeys and get walking. It’s good for you as well as reducing your carbon footprint.

10. Switch off the lights when you leave the room.

*Participating stockists for free energy saving light bulbs with The Sun: Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, The Co-Operative, WH Smith, Woolworths, Somerfield, One Stop, BP Connect, McColls, Martins, RS McColl’s, Supernews, Superdrug, Booths, Budgens, Londis, Spar or Costcutter, and a host of independent retailers who are too numerous to list here.