HOMEOWNERS in Bolton are doing their bit for the environment when it comes to making home improvements.

Almost a third of British households have carried out energy-saving improvements in their homes over the past year in a bid to cut rising gas and electric bills, according to the Halifax building society's annual home improvement survey.

Nearly 50 per cent have installed double glazing, while 41pc have fitted loft insulation and 30pc have replaced their boiler.

A further 17pc have said that they plan to make their homes more energy efficient over the coming year, according to the survey.

And as well as cutting costs, the measures serve to reduce damaging carbon dioxide emissions which are accelerating global warming.

Double glazing firms in the town now say that people are more savvy than ever to the environmental and economic benefits of improvements and they expect to see a further increase in sales as the cold winter months approach.

Dave Syddall, director of A-plas Windows Ltd, Glebe Mill, Bolton, thinks that people are now happy to spend the money on improvements because they can be confident they will see a return on their investment.

He said: "I think becoming energy efficient is a key reason for people forking out for double glazing.

"People definitely know that they will make their money back and there are those who realise that it will help the environment too.

"People are savvy to it these days and they're happy to pay out and make that saving in the future."

John Entwistle, who owns Solution Trade Frames, on Halliwell Industrial Estate, Bolton, said: "It's an added marketing tool to let people know that they will save money on their energy bills.

"If you have the whole house double glazed it will pay for itself after about 10 years and I think people are becoming wise to that.

"But it only works hand in hand with other measures such as loft insulation.

"People are taking energy efficiency more seriously and looking into different measures, especially when we're due a cold winter and people begin to see their bills going through the roof."

We put two Bolton councillors to the test in an online energy check which registers energy-saving measures that have been taken within the home and assesses what more can be done to improve efficiency.

Bolton Council executive member for the environment, Cllr John Byrne, lives in a two storey, semi-detached house which has maximum roof insulation, double glazing, gas heating and thermostatic radiator valves.

He was advised that home improvements could save him up to £265 on annual fuel bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.2 tonnes per year.

Cllr Byrne said: "You think you've done a lot but there are always improvements to be made.

"We were unable to have cavity wall insulation because there are too many breathing blocks but I'd certainly like to look into what more can be done.

"I'm very interested in making energy savings and helping the planet."

Conservative councillor Andy Morgan lives in a three storey, detached house which is partially double glazed and has roof insulation, cavity-filled walls, gas heating and heating controls in every room.

He came up trumps as he was advised that his home already has all of the major improvements recommended to help save energy and money.

Cllr Morgan said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome.

"As a family we're very conscious of being energy efficient.

"We feel it's an immeasurable investment because we're thinking of the future of the planet and our kids, not just the initial cost."