The number of tradesmen taking renewable energy courses could be set to rise as more consumers opt to make green improvements to their home.

Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, pointed out that energy-saving projects are not "necessarily" summer-based, but people tend to use the warmer months to carry out changes to their properties.

"'Ecovation', as we are calling it, is about introducing upgrades to the existing housing stock in terms of insulation and all that kind of thing," he remarked.

Mr Orme suggested that the popularity of such improvements is becoming increasingly important as energy bills continue to rise.

In his view, consumers have been starting to show more desire to carry out green projects as a direct result of these spiralling costs.

Recent research by Lloyds TSB showed total DIY spending in the UK hit a 12-year low in 2010, with individuals shelling out just