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Households in Britain could save hundreds of pounds a year by making their home more energy-efficient, work which could be covered with a small loan.

According to the Daily Mail, investing in a condensing boiler with heating controls can bag households an extra £345 a year for their coffers.

Insulating a loft to 270mm can also wipe off around £205 a year off energy bills, a saving which could make taking out a small loan a wise investment because of the money saved further down the line.

And while double glazing could be pricey to install, heat loss through windows is reduced by 50 per cent, cutting £140 off energy bills each year, the newspaper continues.

"Paying by direct debit can save you ten per cent on your bill with almost every supplier and you should look out for cashback incentives offered by the various comparison websites," the resource suggests.

Indeed, households looking to kick start 2009 with a greener home may find they want a loan in their account as quickly as possible, a benefit of secured loans.

Burst pipes during the cold snap has led to Lloyds TSB Insurance receiving a 15 per cent surge in claims.