Dawlish environmentalist Martin Heath offers advice as the energy price surge looms:IT’S LANDED! The 54% rise in energy costs has arrived. And for some coming off old contracts, it may be doubled.

Over the weeks and months, I have given a number of ways to be more energy efficient. Unless you live in an Eco home, there is only so much you can do, but here are a few more projects which are not always discussed.

It is now possible to change the thermostatic radiator valves to individual radio controlled, which all can be separately programmed for time and temperature.

This means that rooms not used much can be set at background heat, and rooms used can be programmed to your movements without you even worrying about it.

In the meantime, make sure you turn those rooms down when not using them, or in them – like your bedroom. You can turn them up one hour before going to bed.

If you don’t have any thermostatic radiator valves at all, then this is a good time to go radio controlled ASAP. They are all controlled by a computer or an app on your phone. Get three quotes as prices vary a lot. One little tip: keep all your internal doors closed, this helps to trap air.

Something not always realised, your house walls act as solar panels, it’s called ‘fabric solar gain’. If you are thinking of repainting the outside of your house in the near future and you have a white render finish at present, then you could think about a sightly darker colour which would give you more energy gain; as dark colours don’t reflect away as much heat. Such as light cream, or even mid cream, greens or pink to red.

This only works on south and west facing walls which gets most of the sun, so you could just do those. But remember the reverse is true, too dark a colour like brown or black, will make your house too hot in summer.

Exposed face brick houses don’t need painting as they are darker already. If you have a new house with at least 75mm insulation in the cavity, then, you won’t gain much either. A solid wall with no cavity, will gain the most.

Before changing to a very different strong colour, check first with your neighbours and the council that it’s OK and there are no covenants as regards to colour, you don’t want to upset either! And if in a conservation area or listed, you will need planning permission first.

Climbers on the house and trees that shade the house on the south side, can also reduce solar gain. But don’t go chopping trees down unless they are a real problem, and don’t forget to replace them for carbon capture, plant carefully not to shade your or your neighbour’s house in 10 years’ time.

Small varieties suit small gardens best. Sorry about all the dos and don’ts, but these are long term jobs and can be expensive, so you don’t want to get this wrong.

Good luck, as we will all need it!