Mortgage restrictions should be placed on homes that are not energy efficient in order to encourage homeowners to carry out work on them.

This is according to Andrew Leech, director at the National Home Improvement Council, who said properties need to be improved at a rate of 50,000 per year in the UK if government targets are to be met by 2050.

"Energy efficiency means covering everything from loft insulation to cavity wall insulation and new boilers and generally upgrading windows and doors," he commented.

However, Mr Leech noted that carrying out such work can be a costly affair - an average of £15,000 to £20,000 per household.

One of the most important improvements homeowners can make is to install an efficient boiler, he added.

According to the English Housing Survey, social sector homes tend to be more energy efficient than private properties.

Homeowners planning to carry out renovation work may wish to consider keeping their belongings safe by using a self storage service.

Written by Emily Sanders