George Clarke, the presenter of Channel 4's The Home Show and The Restoration Man, is the curator of the 'home' element of 'A Garden Party to Make a Difference' in September.

In this feature, he shares his 10 starting points for turning any property into an "eco-home".

1. Insulate your loft - using natural or recycled materials where possible

"I'm amazed by how many people have still not insulated their lofts," says George", explaining that homeowners should recoup the cost of loft insulation, about £250-£300 in a standard house, within two to three years. You can find out more about loft insulation in our Start guide.

2. Replace single glazed windows with double or triple glazed ones.

"It's a shame that double-glazing salesmen have given the industry such a bad reputation," says George. "When you look at the potential energy savings, every house in the country ought to be double-glazed." And that applies to old houses as much as new ones, he adds.

3. Choose wood framed windows rather than UPVC or metal

There are many reasons for favouring wood framed windows, George explains. They are easier to repair, more insulating, last a lifetime and are less polluting than the cheaper UPVC (unplasticised poly vinyl chloride), from which many domestic window frames are made, which emits toxic compounds.

4. Replace bulbs with energy saving ones

"Energy-saving bulbs used to have a reputation for looking cold and unattractive," says George. "But the newer ones have got around that. In terms of energy consumption, they are many times more efficient than filament bulbs." You can find out more about low-energy light bulbs in our Start guide.

5. Use locally sourced or supplied building materials and local tradespeople where available

We all know that an English-grown apple is better for the planet than an apple flown in from New Zealand, says George. Why can't we see that a builder who lives in the next street is better for the planet than one who has driven 20 miles around the M25? You can find lots more advice on choosing the best tradespeople on George's own website.

6. Fill cavity walls with insulation

Cavity wall insulation might sound intrusive, but it's actually one of the simplest and most cost effective ways to make your home more sustainable and bring down your energy bills. You can find out more about cavity wall insulation by reading our Start guide.

7. Buy furniture made from recycled materials

More furniture made from recycled materials is coming on the market, explains George. You can find out more about the benefits of recycling (and recycled products) in our Recycling section

8.  Use water based paints with natural pigments

"It is a small point, but one which a lot of people miss," says George. "Most paints used in homes are oil-based and therefore less energy-efficient." Water-based paints using natural pigments can also be much more aesthetically attractive.

9. Monitor your electricity consumption

"If people could see with their own eyes how much electrical appliances cost them, they would be less wasteful," says George. It is possible to buy digital displays that enable you to monitor your electricity consumption as easily as watching the meter in a taxi. The Wattson electricity monitor is one of the featured products in our Gadget Gallery.

10.   Buy an eco-kettle

"Most kettles use a ridiculous amount of electricity," says George. "People don't stop to think. They will boil enough water to make six cups of tea when they only need one." Eco-kettles are more energy-efficient and can also help to bring down your electricity bills. For more simple ideas, including water-saving tips for the garden, see our Save Water section.

This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the Telegraph. To see George's full list of tips, please see the Telegraph website.