Busting the myths

SOME people think going green is only for muesli-munching vegans who have given up their holidays abroad, ditched their cars and live in yurts.

But everyone can do their bit by taking small steps to be more energy efficient, and also save hundreds of pounds every year.

Below we help you sort the myths from the facts by tackling some of the most common concerns.

If I go green I have to give up my holiday in Spain.

MYTH! Our campaign is about the things you CAN do to help the planet - not what you CAN'T do.

There are lots of small changes you can make that won't affect your lifestyle - such as insulating your house, buying energy saving lightbulbs and turning off appliances when you are not using them.

Making your house more energy efficient could save 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. So you can still do your bit without giving up your family holiday.

Government grants are only available to people on benefits.

MYTH! There are lots of grants available and you don't need to be on benefits to be eligible.

To find out what help you can get your hands on, have a go with our Cash Grabber on the right of this page.

Factories are responsible for pumping out way more carbon dioxide than people like me.

MYTH! Everyone needs to play a part if we are serious about reducing harmful carbon emissions.

More than 40 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions comes from the energy we use every day in our homes and when we travel.

If everyone in the UK made simple changes such as turning off appliances and insulating their homes, we would reduce 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

And it makes financial sense too - because we would knock a staggering £8.6 billion off energy bills every year by making our homes more energy efficient.

I can't afford cavity wall insulation or loft insulation - it's really expensive.

MYTH! Insulating your home is one of the most cost effective ways of saving energy, money and the environment.

Getting your walls filled will cost around £250, and it could save around £160 a year on your fuel bills. And loft insulation could save as much as £205 a year on your heating bills. Plus there are grants available to help with the cost.

I live in an old house without a loft or cavity walls so there's nothing I can do.

MYTH! Whether you live in a new or old property, there is always something you can do. You just need to find the energy saving measures that best apply to you.

If your property doesn't have cavity walls or a loft, you can still make important lifestyle changes.

You can cut your emissions by turning lights and appliances off when you're not using them, replacing your old boiler with a more efficient model or not over-filling your kettle when making a cup of tea.

For more tips and suggestions visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call your local Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

Energy saving light bulbs are ugly and take ages to warm up.

MYTH! Nowadays energy saving bulbs come in a range of styles, shapes and sizes. You can get bayonet and screw cap fittings, and even dimmable bulbs.

Lighting gobbles up 20 per cent of the average electricity bill, so energy saving bulbs are a great way to save money. An Energy Saving Recommended light bulb will typically cost you around £2 but will save from £3 to £6 a year on your energy bill.

And because it will last up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb, it could save you around £45 before it needs replacing. Multiple that by the number of lightbulbs in your home, and the total saving really adds up.

For further information, visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

I can't afford to go green. I haven't got the cash to splash on insulation and green gadgets.

MYTH! Going green will leave you with more cash in your back pocket, because it could knock hundreds of pounds off your energy bill.

You can save a whopping £340 a year by making small changes to become more energy efficient.

And you don't need to splash out on solar panels or electric cars to do your bit - switching to energy saving lightbulbs or insulating your home will make a big difference too.

Getting cavity wall insulationis a massive headache and means walls being knocked down.

MYTH! Getting your walls insulated takes just two hours and couldn't be easier. The insulation can be applied from the outside through small holes, drilled in the wall by trained technicians. The material is then injected through the holes, filling the cavity, before the holes are filled in.

Going green will mean ditching my car .

MYTH! Cars release carbon dioxide, so it's best to walk, cycle and use public transport where possible.

But making simple changes to the way you drive can cut your emissions and save you money at the petrol pump.

Shifting to a high gear as soon as possible, driving a little slower and maintaining a steady speed all make a big difference.