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Several of the big developers are experimenting with different wind and solar power options that could eventually make their way onto the mass housing market.
But what if you want to do something now, not in five years time?
It has already been estimated that fuel price-rises will send the energy bill for a three-bedroom semi close to £1,000 by the end of next year, so prompt action is needed not just for the planet but also your pocket.
But how do you weigh up which system is best?
A couple from Cheshire have set up one of the few companies in the country that advises homes and businesses on small-scale systems that harness wind, solar and geothermal energy.
And Alan and Anne Draper who run Advantage Projects from their home just outside Nantwich, have seen a surge in interest in the green energy business.
Anne, 51, said: "The way it is produced at the moment, energy is a restricted commodity. Demand is constantly rising and supplies are dwindling. With conventional fuel prices likely to continue their upward spiral, generating your own energy could save a lot of money in the long run.
"And people do want to do something about reducing the amount of harmful CO2 their homes produce."
Recommendations
Alan, 61, has an engineering background in thermal management and, when called in by a client, he and Anne prepare a full energy audit before making any sort of recommendations.
Anne said: "It is no use spending money to generate your own power until your home is properly insulated to the highest levels so it will use heat efficiently.
"Then it is down to individual lifestyle and property, and the amount of power clients need and the amount of money they are prepared to invest.
"But there are all sorts of incentives around and we advise and apply for grants on behalf of our clients, and we are usually very successful."
One of the newest systems finding fans is ground source heating which works much like a refrigerator, drawing heat from the land and pumping it inside the house.
Alan is one of a handful of people in Britain to hold a Euro standard to install them and he said: "It is incredibly efficient. If you switch from conventional to geothermal, the initial cost would be recouped within eight to ten years. For new buildings, you would get the investment back in four to five years - and that does not take any future energy price rises into consideration."
There is also a move to combine systems, perhaps installing a small windmill to provide the electricity to power the heat source.
While individual homeowners may be reluctant to make the initial investment, it can make more sense for businesses. One of the couple's clients is a pig farm near York, run by brothers Grant and Mark Burton.
Variety
They are using a variety of thermal, wind and solar energy to provide the power at a new building that will be a farm shop on the site.
Grant, 55, said: "We think it is very important to act responsibly when it comes to the environment. The systems will also help us to save money, so the decision is economic as much as it is environmental.
"Though I think many of our customers will appreciate that we are being actively environmentally conscious."
Government grants are available for the installation of renewable energy generator systems but only if you have already done everything else to conserve power.
Anne said: "The main thing we have discovered so far is that people want to do their bit but are very confused about the technologies that are out there, how they compare on cost and efficiency and which would be most suitable for their property.
"And that is where we come in. We have always been very environmentally aware and have spent the last 12 months researching every possible system.
"We are now in a position to advise, order and fully commission systems that are appropriate to individual needs."
They charge a fee per project.
Alan said: "Ultimately, if we are going to pass on a beautiful world to our children and our grandchildren every one of us has got to do something about the way we use our natural resources."
More information: 01270 812 547 or enquiries@advantage projects.ltd.uk
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