Homeowners will benefit from new government measures to prevent wastage of energy in residential property, it has been announced.

According to John Healey, housing minister, the proposals to make homes more energy efficient will give householders the choice to partake in a new green finance initiative with their local authorities, called pay as you save.

He said: "The new measures put the consumer in control of greening up their homes. More than a quarter of carbon emissions come from our homes, so it is vital people are able to make the improvements."

Mr Healey assured that the poorest homes would be dealt with first by the council and Housing Association which would negotiate with energy companies.

An English Housing Survey conducted by Communities and Local Government found that the percentage of very energy inefficient homes fell by five percentage points between 2006 and 2008.

People wishing to renovate or decorate their homes may wish to make the process easier by using self storage facilities.

Written by Emily Sanders