By taking a few simple energy-saving measures this winter, we can all help reduce the risk of flooding, finds STEPHEN LEWIS.

WE may just have enjoyed one of the driest summers on record - but as anyone living in our region knows, that is no guarantee against winter floods.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, more than two million UK homes will be at risk of flooding over the winter. A fair few of those will be in this area.Banging on at the Environment Agency to speed up work on vital flood defences may make us feel better. But part of the solution lies in our own hands, says Philip Sellwood, the Energy Saving Trust's chief executive.

Floods are now twice as frequent as they were 100 years ago - a fact many experts link to global climate change. And yet consumers are still failing to make the link between their energy consumption at home, and the risk of flooding.

The truth is, says Mr Sellwood, that a quarter of all the UK's carbon dioxide emissions come from energy used in our homes.

Now the Trust has called on everyone to do their bit to reduce energy use at home - and help reduce the risk of future floods.

"While there is no short-term solution to coastal and localised flooding, our own homes are an intrinsic part of the problem and are responsible for a quarter of all UK carbon dioxide emissions, which is having a direct impact on the weather patterns around us," Mr Sellwood says.

Making a difference isn't as hard as it might seem, he adds. Here are three simple energy-saving measures we can take in our own homes that could help reduce the floods risk:

Install high efficiency condensing boilers. These, explains Laura Collins of the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York, are central heating boilers which 'recycle' heat which would normally just have been pumped out of your flue back into heating up water in your boiler. Available as standard boilers and as combis, they cost about £200 more to buy but you will quickly recoup that money in savings, says Laura. And if every home in the UK installed a high-efficiency boiler tomorrow, we would prevent 17.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted every year.

If we all insulated our homes' cavity walls tomorrow, we would prevent nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted every year - enough to fill over 50 million double decker buses. We would also save £670 million worth of energy a year. It needn't cost the earth, says Laura. Grants are available for those on income-related benefits - and even if you're not, you should be able to get a discount of about 50 per cent. Call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (see number below) for advice.

If every UK household replaced their old domestic appliances - such as fridge/freezers, washing machines and dishwashers - with

new 'A-rated', energy efficient ones, we would prevent 7.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted every year.

That is enough to fill over 1.5 million hot air balloons.

The UK would also save £1.16 billion worth of energy a year.

For free advice on how to make your home more energy efficient and save money on household bills, contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York on freephone 0800 512 012.

HANDY HINTS

If it is the pounds in your pocket that concern you as much as the future of the world, The Energy Helpline has 12 handy hints that could help you cut your Christmas bills.

1) Switch suppliers. On average, an electricity customer using the same company since before privatisation will be paying 22 per cent more than those who have shopped around. See how much you could save by doing a comparison online at energyhelpline.com. Enter your postcode and details of your usage and the site will calculate how much you could save by moving. You can then switch immediately by filling out an online form. Alternatively, phone the EnergyHelpline on 0800 279 4546.

2) Pay your gas and electricity bills by monthly direct debit and you could save £30 - £40 per year.

3) Use the same supplier for both gas and electricity and you'll be rewarded with a £10 - £30 duel fuel discount

4) Going online can bring a nice Christmas reward of about £15 with ScottishPower and Powergen.

5) If you are over 60, signing up to the Powergen Staywarm tariff means you can have the heating on throughout the winter for a cosy Christmas. You pay a fixed price for all gas and electricity consumption for 12 months, no matter how much you use. Alternatively for those who don't use much energy, the Age Concern tariff has a low standing charge and unit rate. Phone 0800 917 3352 for more information.

6) Claim a winter fuel payment of up to £200 from the Government by phoning 08459 151515 if you or someone in your household is aged 60 or over.

7) Making your home energy efficient can reduce your bills by £100. Contact the Energy Efficiency Advice centre (see above) for information on grants and discounts for wall and loft insulation.

8) Don't leave electrical appliances on standby. Leaving a television on standby overnight uses up the same amount of electricity as a day's TV watching does.

9) Try using candles instead of electricity to create a festive mood this Christmas.

10) Microwave the Christmas Pudding rather than steaming it - this uses three minutes of energy rather than five hours!

11) Use the "quick" or "economy" setting on your dishwasher for Christmas washing up.

12) Spend Christmas visiting people you never get to see throughout the year - and while you're using up their electricity, share some tips with them on how they can save money this Christmas!

Updated: 09:35 Thursday, November 20, 2003