In an attempt at frugality, many may decide to stop heating the house this winter. With global warming fears continuing to plague the papers every time the temperature rises above average, you could be forgiven for expecting heating costs to go down. However, as global warming is a consequence of our use of the very fuels we use to heat our homes, we have no such luck. The effect of increased demand and reduced supply of fossil fuels, coupled with carbon taxes and other disincentives to use power far outweigh any benefits we could receive from global warming (if there are any noticeable changes.) However, with prices looking set to rise and an impending energy crisis inevitable, it is vital we do what we can to avoid being bitten by this loss of income, or indeed the cold winter for those who have not enough money. It is therefore an increasingly popular idea during this recession to make use of efficient heating products such as electric blankets. Most of the time it is unnecessary to heat a whole house and an electric blanket will provide the warmth needed.

An alternative option for those who do not live alone is to use panel heaters to heat up the individual rooms required. The age of central heating is dying, its reckless inefficiency in this new age of scarcity is no better than the sports utility vehicles used in America or the ski slope in the desert built by the Emiratis. If a good thing can come from this recession, perhaps we can rebuild in a more sustainable way, both economically and environmentally.