Do the world and your pocket a favour with a free loan for a greener home

We've read time and again of how rich people are cunning when it comes to spotting money-saving deals like freebies and coupons while we ordinary folk tend to ignore such details altogether. So here's some news you might not want to miss: the Ministry of Energy is offering interest-free loans to people who purchase energy-efficient electrical appliances for the home.

So if your refrigerator isn't keeping food cool anymore and your air-conditioner is ho-humming over providing a reliable stream of cool air, now is the time to think about replacing them. The Bt20,000 can be used to buy air-conditioners - on the condition that you donate your old one as part of the deal - as well as electric hotpots, kettles, cookers, fans. More than 100,000 households are expected to take a loan.

You can also use the cash to boost your green credentials by replacing old-fashioned, energy-hungry light bulbs with electricity-bill cutting compact fluorescent lamps of 11, 18 or 36 watts.

Also, if your car is feeling a little rusty, free tune-ups are being offered at PTT and Bangchak petrol stations, music to the ears of anyone with a gas-guzzler.

So how much can you save, Thailand? If 100,000 households participate in the Bt10,000 loans, the country can save Bt1 billion a year in energy costs. The ministry adds that if 12 million households invest at least Bt5,000 in energy-saving appliances, it could save up to Bt60 billion in energy costs. Such changes, in addition to boosting savings, would help reduce global warming.

For a one-year loan for energy-saving purposes, contact Krung Thai Bank, SME Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, Export-Import Bank of Thailand or TMB Bank. All are cooperating with the Energy Ministry in its efforts to save the country and its citizens energy and money.