An innovative new ‘green gizmo’, called The Tadpole, could be an answer to reducing energy consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions. Patented by Stan Whetsone, 61, of Barlby, North Yorkshire, the Tadpole is a small unit that tags onto an existing central heating system, requiring no specialist fitting – a capable plumber will be able to fit one easily.

Having developed his Tadpole unit and fitted one to his own gas heating system, Whetsone has seen an improvement in efficiency by 30 per cent over the last 12 months, with an estimated knock on effect of reducing his household CO2 emissions by as much as two thirds of a tonne per year. His heating bills have also come down from an average of £600 per year to £420.

Tadpole works on the simplest of principles, improving the efficiency of heating systems by minimising the dissolved air that makes the water in boilers slower to heat. With the air removed, boilers reach higher temperatures much faster, resulting in much less energy from gas, electric or oil being required.

As added benefits, Tadpole works silently without vibrations and even reduces the need to bleed systems, as the oxygen that contributes to the corrosion is no longer present. Tadpole can be fitted to most central heating systems which operate on a stored water or an ‘immersion heater’ principle, whether gas, electric or oil is the energy source.

According to figures from OFGEM and the Centre for Sustainable Energy, an average household emits 3.3 tonnes of CO2 per year from a gas ‘space and water’ central heating system and improving efficiency by 30 per cent could reduce this by almost one tonne per year. If just 10 per cent of the 13 million UK homeowners with a gas boiler heating system, ‘tagged on a Tadpole’ to improve efficiency by 30 per cent the net reduction of CO2 emissions could be over 1.25 million tonnes a year.

Visit Tag on a Tadpole for more information and to buy the Tadpole unit for £195.