Most of us would opt for green or renewable energy if we could, but there's no denying that green energy plans are more expensive than other plans.
However, there are ways that you can make green energy fit your budget - read on for our three top tips.
1. Compare prices on green energy
Just like normal gas and electricity tariffs, some green tariffs are cheaper than others. Some suppliers, including new kid on the block Ovo, have tried to make their renewable energy plans more affordable.
We incorporate green dual fuel plans in our results table - you can see a full list of all the green energy plans approved by the Green Energy Certification Scheme so you know which ones to look out for.
You can also compare prices on green electricity tariffs with uSwitch - just put in all your details as normal, and when you get to the results page, select the 'Green electricity' tab.
Doing a comparison will also help you to see the difference between the cheapest overall plan and the cheapest green plan, so you can judge whether or not you can afford the difference.
Remember that you can split the difference too, by opting for a green electricity plan, and offseting the expense with the cheapest gas deal you can get. Unlike electricity, gas can't be produced from renewable sources like solar or hydro, so your conscience can remain relatively clear. However, you will miss out on things like the dual fuel discount, which can knock a reasonable amount off your bill.
2. Pick and choose
All energy suppliers get some of their electricity from renewable sources, and they publish the percentage (known as their fuel mix) on their websites. In the table below, you'll see the fuel mix of some of the major energy suppliers.
You could use this table to find a supplier who you feel measures up to your standards on green electricity, and then switch to their most competitive deal.
You might not end up with either the cheapest or the greenest plan on the market, but it does mean that you can find a compromise that suits both your pocket and your ethics.
*Figures are from the period 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009.
3. Generate your own green energy
The Feed-In Tariff scheme means that if you generate your own electricity using a solar panel, wind turbine etc you can get paid for every unit you generate and sell any excess to the National Grid. Theoretically, you can actually end up making a profit from renewable energy! However, installing microgeneration technology like solar panels can be expensive - which is where Pay As You Save comes in. The idea is that you get a low interest loan to cover the cost of the technology and installation and pay it off slowly, at a rate that's lower than the amount you'll save on your energy bills. The scheme is currently just a pilot, which was launched by the Labour government. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition's programme for government does not specifically talk about Pay As You Save, but its 'Green Deal' promises to encourage home energy efficiency improvements, which will be paid for by savings from energy bills.