9bn loft treasure costs hikes gas bills

Clutter in the nation's lofts is coming in the way of effective insulation, costing millions and wasting energy.

16:17 20 October 2004

British Gas has warned that clutter in the nation's lofts is coming in the way of effective insulation, costing millions and wasting energy.

In a survey to mark Energy Efficiency Week (25th October-1st November) the company calculated that the country's 20 million lofts hold a total of 9 billion of unused 'treasures'.

"We're urging people to sell their clutter, insulate their lofts and save both money and energy," said British Gas energy efficiency expert Dave Crowther.

Selling off forgotten goods and using the money to pay for loft insulation "would represent a national saving of 675 million and a massive saving of energy," he added.

It is estimated that 40 per cent of the domestic energy loss escapes through the roof of uninsulated homes.