It is hardly surprising in a climate in which homeowners are continually being advised about the urgency of taking green measures in their properties that insulation should be high up on their list of priorities.

And the arguments for taking sensible steps are difficult to ignore. More than 50% of all energy produced by humanity is lost as heat and by reducing the amount of waste heat going into the environment, we can save money and improve sustainability.

But there are ways of making improvements, and one of the most promoted at the moment – especially as we suffer another miserable winter – is spray foam insulation for roofs.

A quick Google or Facebook search will throw up countless companies offering this method as a quick and easy solution to heat loss in the home. Many others try to attract customers by the dubious methods of cold calling.

The simple advice for homeowners if they find themselves considering spray foam insulation as the answer to their energy efficiency problems: Don’t.

Installing spray foam within a property’s roof void significantly reduces airflow in and out, trapping moisture and increasing the risk of condensation. Most roofs in Scotland are constructed with timber. Timber and elevated moisture levels will lead to decay over a period of time.

This poses a risk to the structural integrity of the roof, considerably reducing the life expectancy of the roof structure.  Furthermore, the presence of spray foam conceals the roof timbers from view, meaning such defects could go un-noticed before the extent of the problem is realised leading to costly remedial repair works.

It is an unregulated field with installers either not aware of the consequences of such products or they are out on what can only be described as a ‘get rich quick scheme’, charging thousands of pounds to install these products which they will have no obligation to rectify at a later date, if, that is, they can be located or contacted afterwards.

One of the arguments used to persuade people to sign up for a course of treatment is that there is moisture in the roof space. Even if this is so, the solution to moisture within a roof void is often not insulation but improved ventilation.

That is why the traditional method of dealing with roof spaces is to install the insulation on at ceiling joist level and have gaps in the eaves and/or ridge to allow air to circulate throughout the space.

Furthermore, the majority of mortgage lenders will refuse or restrict lending where spray foam insulation has been installed, significantly reducing the property’s value where it is deemed not suitable for mortgage purposes.

It is not unknown for people who have spent, say, £5,000 on having their roof sprayed to subsequently have to shell out £25,000 -£30,000 for a new roof in order to make their property mortgageable again.

On top of that, the process itself is often coarse and messy. There are instances where unsuitable contractors have covered the entire space in foam – including the suitcases and Christmas decoration boxes stored in the attic.

Beware of cold callers offering such products. If it sounds too good to be true, often this is exactly the case. Before carrying out any home improvement involving new or seemingly innovative products, consult a professional for advice.

Brits are being offered tips on how to reduce energy and water costs in their bathrooms to help save money amid expected rise in bills.

Bathroom experts from Posh.co.uk have revealed nine easy-to-follow tips to lower costs including using an aerator on taps and descaling the water system.

Households are expected to see a 6% rise in their water bills from April with this increasing over the next  seven years by an average of 35% from 2023 to 2030.

To help cope with the rising costs, the experts have identified simple ways for households to lower their bathroom expenses.

Andy Ellis, bathroom expert at Posh.co.uk said: “We don’t realise how every shower, bath, run of the tap and even flush of the toilet can quickly rack up the monthly bills.

“There’s also the issue of water bills which are expected to rise by an average of 35% over the next seven years.

“There’s the electric and gas bills to bear in mind as well as many of us will have our heating on throughout winter to keep our bathrooms warm.

“That’s why we wanted to offer easy-to-follow tips to help households cut down on their energy costs so they aren’t left out of pocket when the bills come out.

“Making simple changes such as switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and fixing water leaks around the shower can help knock off the price every month.”

Here are nine ways to lower energy costs in the bathroom:

1. Fix leaks

Shower leaks may not be noticeable at first which is why it’s best to spend every few weeks inspecting the appliances for any leaks. An unfixed leak can result in wasted water and energy costs, making a quick shower cost considerably more.

2. Descale the water system

Limescale build-up in the water pipes can cause the boiler to work harder in pushing out warm water which will drive up the energy bill. Make sure to descale the water system if this happens and to put shower heads in a bag of white vinegar to remove limescale off the surface.

3. Switch To Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Changing your bathroom bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs can help save on energy costs. LEDs use on average 90% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs.

4. Use smartphone apps

Downloading smart home apps is a great way to monitor how much energy and water you’re using in the home and can help you keep an eye on costs.

5. Use an aerator

The simple attachment can be placed at the end of your tap to help reduce water wastage but still provide an efficient amount to use.

6. Turn off standby devices

Devices such as electric toothbrushes and shavers can still drain energy from being plugged in even if they’re not in use. Make sure to turn off all standby devices to prevent any wasted energy.

7. Cut showers by three minutes

Brits on average take eight-minute long showers which is three minutes over the recommended time. Taking a few minutes off every shower can help cut the water bill significantly.

8. Install a cistern bag

A cistern bag can help save one to two litres of water on every toilet flush. Having one installed can help cut water costs and they only cost a few quid to purchase and a couple minutes to install.

9. Opt for mist showers

Having a mist shower can reduce water usage without compromising the enjoyment of a hot shower. The restricted stream is also more gentle and smooth to shower in.

Brits are being told of unusual foods from kitchen cupboards which will keep their windows and mirrors sparkling. 

Glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have named the seven unusual food items which can be used to clean glass and remove smudge marks including ketchup and tea bags. 

Tea bags have natural cleaning products great for wiping away any smudge marks from glass surfaces.

Lemon juice and fizzy drinks contain acid which breaks down dirt and stains on mirrors and windows.

A raw potato or a slice of white bread are also unusual food items which are great for wiping away stains and spot marks on glass. 

John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass.co.uk said: “You don’t need to buy any expensive cleaning products to remove smudges, dirt and grime from your glass windows and mirrors. 

“Instead, there are lots of food items sitting in the back of your kitchen cupboards that are really effective as natural cleaning products. 

“Use cornstarch mixed with cold water to remove more stubborn marks on glass and tea bags rubbed across the surface will remove smudges. 

“Ketchup is another kitchen staple which acts as a glass cleaner – just let the condiment sit for a couple of minutes on any stains and wipe clean with a damp cloth.”

Here are the unusual kitchen cupboard essentials to clean glass:

1. Lemon juice 

Dilute the juice of a lemon with water or white vinegar to create a DIY glass cleaner. The acid in the lemon will break down any stains or marks on glass to make it shine. Cutting a fresh lemon in half and gently rubbing it over glass will also act as a cleaner. 

2. Cornstarch 

Cornstarch is a great ingredient to polish glass and windows. The small granules act as a natural abrasive, and when mixed with cold water the solution can be applied to the glass with a sponge to remove any smudges.

3. Tea bags

Natural cleaning properties in tea makes it a great product for removing smudges from glass. Seep a few tea bags in boiling water and let it sit until cool. Rub the tea bag across a glass surface and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth after sitting for five minutes. 

4. Ketchup

The acidity in ketchup can break down grime and marks on a glass surface. Smudge in ketchup directly onto the glass and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Gently rub the condiment across any smudge marks and wipe clean with a damp, soft cloth. 

5. Fizzy drinks

 Pour a small amount of the fizzy drink over a glass surface and use a soft sponge to spread over any smudges. Using a clean sponge, wipe away the drink and dry with a clean cloth to prevent any sticky spots. The acidity and carbonation in fizzy drinks acts as a useful natural cleaning product.

6. Potatoes

 Take a raw potato and cut in half to then wipe over any glass surface. Use a bit of pressure on any stubborn stains and let the juice and starch from the potato sit for five to ten minutes. With a damp microfiber cloth wipe away the residue. 

7. White bread

Soft white bread is a great hack to remove smudges from glass. Simply rub a slice over any dirty areas and the grime will lift off. Wipe away any crumbs or residue with a soft cloth for a streak-free finish.