Research from Energy Saving Trust reveals more than half of population are not confident enough to use basic home improvement skills.
The UK-wide survey of over 2,000 consumers launches a new campaign from the Energy Saving Trust urging 'DIY Shy' householders to brush upon their skills this Bank Holiday to help improve their homes and make significant cash savings.
53% of respondents said they were not confident enough to use basic practical skills to improve their home. Yet over half of this group - around 13m people - said that in the current economic climate, they would prefer to improve their current property rather than move home.
The Trust, which is set up to help people fight climate change stated that, by facing their fears, the DIY Shy could collectively save the nation around £220m and 1.2m tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The topping up of existing loft insulation emerged as the public's most dreaded DIY job with 63% of respondents admittingthat they would never attempt the task.
However, the Energy Saving Trust revealed that homeowners are wasting £60 a year on energy bills as a result of leaving the job undone.
Insulating hot water pipes was second on the list with 56% avoiding the job.
The Trust's chief executive Philip Selwood said: "Everyone's purse strings are tighter nowadays and Bank Holidays are the perfect time to take stock and check which DIY jobs will save you cash on the household bills. But our research shows many Brits are shying away from easy cash savings by ignoring simple, energy saving tasks, which need t be done around the home."
The Energy Saving trust is urging homeowners to visit its website
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/check to find out which simple jobs they could do.