Add value to your home with energy-efficient improvements

With mortgage lenders increasingly requiring large deposits and first-time buyers finding it difficult to get onto the property ladder, it has never been more important for sellers to present their home in the best light possible.

It is a buyers' market at the moment, so painting your property magnolia and hoping for the best is not a good idea if you need to sell quickly.

According to the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), homeowners looking to add value to their property should consider energy-efficient improvements, as buyers are likely to be attracted to homes where the cost of gas and electricity is low.

"Obviously it is all very well to look at new kitchens and new bathrooms and special heating, but really homeowners should be looking at energy efficient measures to improve their homes. That includes loft insulation and cavity wall insulation because that is the most crucial thing to be doing these days," said Andrew Leech, the organisation's director.

The NHIC notes that cavity wall insulation can cut heating costs by approximately one-third.

"Although you may have loft insulation if it was installed a number of years ago, it may well be of inadequate thickness (less than 100mm); topping up to a minimum of 250mm is essential for real economy. Loft insulation should be installed which allows proper ventilation from outside with walkways to tanks and areas of the loft that need regular access," the organisation says.

Homeowners are advised to ensure they only employ someone to carry out cavity wall insulation work if they are certified and properly qualified to do so.

Another way to improve energy efficiency in your home is to carry out draught proofing work.

According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), Britons could collectively save around £200 million a year if they used strips and excluders to seal doors and window frames.

Draught proofing is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bills, however it is important to remember that kitchens and bathrooms need to be well ventilated.

"You should be careful about draught proofing rooms that need good ventilation, including areas where there are open fires or open flues - It is essential that areas like this have adequate ventilation," the EST notes.

DIY draught costs approximately £100, with professional installation costing around £200.

Homeowners should also consider insulating water tanks and pipes, as this can dramatically reduce heat loss.

Investing in a hot water jacket will save you approximately £35 a year and these are available from as little as £15, meaning you can make the initial outlay back within six months.

Similarly, insulating any exposed pipes will only cost you around £10 and will lead to annual savings of around £10.

Insulating tanks and pipes is basic DIY work that can be carried out in a short space of time.

Other ways to boost energy efficiency include investing in double glazing and insulating your loft, which can lead to savings of £145 a year.