Living in a two-bedroom flat in a Victorian conversion, I was prepared for the worst when I signed up for a visit from the Green Homes Concierge Service. For a fee of £199 a consultant comes to your home and performs a number of tests that culminate in a home energy assessment.

Geoff, my assessor, was a friendly chap. He asked how I wanted to improve my home and I told him my priority was to cut the utility bills.

He then got to work on my flat, measuring and taking pictures. He was finished in a couple of hours and fed all his information into a computer. The results were not as bad as I was expecting: 59 out of a possible 100 for my energy efficiency and 52 for carbon emissions.

Geoff then showed me what I could do to improve. I showed interest in secondary glazing and improving my heating system. Within days I received a full home energy assessment, which consists of the Government’s standard energy performance certificate and a more detailed assessment of my home.

I was also sent information, pricing and names of suppliers for all the improvements I wanted to make. This is part of the 12-month follow-up service included in the price. Over the next year I have a “green” adviser to help me improve my home and relieve a little more of that green guilt.

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