NEARLY £20m could be saved by people across the UK if they only listened to a Huddersfield-based advice centre.

Research by the Energy Saving Trust, whose regional office is at the Byram Arcade in Huddersfield town centre, has shown how each household could save £140 a year by using basic DIY skills.

Just by brushing up on their skills, UK householders could together shave £19.4m off annual fuel bills, conserving 104,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the process – equivalent to taking 36,000 cars off the road.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “Our research shows many Brits are shying away from easy cash savings by ignoring simple, energy saving tasks which need to be done around the home.”

The trust has pinpointed four jobs which can be easily done and would leave each home and average of £140 better off each year.

It recommends topping-up loft insulation to 270mm, putting a jacket on hot-water cylinders, draught-proofing doors and windows and insulating hot water pipes.

Andrew Leech, executive director of the National Home Improvement Council, said: “They are not difficult tasks and are well within the capability of most individuals, but will make all the difference to the long-term efficiency and performance of a property.”

Yorkshire and Humber performed poorly when compared to other regions, with only residents in London and Northern Ireland more fearful of DIY.

For more information on energy-saving improvements visit the website by going to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call the Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.