As you know we’ve been working with E.ON on a series of interesting features – not just about saving the energy within your home, but saving the energy with YOU.
Which is just as important.
We’re all too busy making it through the week, aren’t we?
There’s never a time when you actually strike the last thing off the To Do List, look around and think “oh, everything’s done! I think I’ll go curl up with a book for an hour…” I mean family finances generally can be a headache let alone replacing old worn out necessary equipment, by the way if you want help to save some cash you can look here for inspiration.
There’s always something that needs just-another-£10, or a quick-30-minutes (it never is).
Well, that’s the case in this house anyway – and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone (someone tell me I’m not alone).
Anything I can find which saves me either some of my hard-earned pennies, or my time with my family (which is quite frankly an even more important commodity than money these days) is bound to gain my attention.
Save time in the Kitchen? Oh man, yes please. Spending my time creating 18 meals a day (there’s 6 of us y’know…). Though that is a *slight* exaggeration of my domestic goddess status. Breakfast is always make-yer-own, though I might reach the bowls down for the shortest family members. If they’re lucky.
Lunch is often either make-yer-own or else first-person-who-gets-hungry-makes-everyone’s, depending on how the day’s going.
But Dinner is always a round-the-table family meal. However, we run two businesses plus homeschool four children – it can occasionally be a slightly haphazard last-minute affair. *cough*
Having decent home-cooked meals in the freezer to use when I get that “Oh-help-it’s-nearly-6-and-I’ve-done-nothing-for-dinner” feeling. Not that it happens often mind. *coughs again*
A couple of years ago I twigged that doubling a recipe wasn’t actually double the work – but DID leave me with a spare family meal that I could freeze, and then whip out and present with a satisfyingly smug flourish next time I’d forgotten to feed the family. Genius.
And sometimes you need to spend to save, too. When our extension was built, we used up our budget on stuff like walls and floors and electrics and suchlike. So we ended up with cheap laminate flooring in the bedrooms, and cheap thin curtains. Which looked fine, of course, and the floor was hugely practical for the boys bedrooms. But warm and cosy it was not.
We were NOT saving energy in the home – not a bit of it. In the winter months we had to have their radiators on full blast to take the chill off, and it never really felt toasty in their rooms – until we decided Something Had To Be Done. So we invested in some thick lined curtains, and some nice large rugs for the floor – nothing hugely expensive, but oh what a difference they make – and unexpectedly to the sound-proofing too, which is a bonus when three elephants are in their rooms overhead. Best of all, their radiators were never turned above half heat all winter, so the payback on the soft furnishings won’t take long at all.
So, like I say, working with E.ON on this series has been a bit of an eye-opener. Their energy saving ideas aren’t just about checking your cavity wall insulation – oh no, it’s WAY more interesting than that.
And they’ve collected all the tips from the bloggers who have been working with them, and created a brilliant little e-booklet to get you thinking in ways you might never have done before. There’s also a raft of interesting fact snippets, and a slightly competitive ‘Higher or Lower’ quiz which I may have done more than once just to get them all right.
There really are loads of simple things you can do to save money and energy in your home – and it’s genuinely not all about draught excluders and half-filling your kettle. Take a look at their booklet, you might learn something new.
And now it’s your turn to join in! We’ve got a whopping £150 of John Lewis vouchers to give away to the best energy saving tip you have – doesn’t matter if it’s time or money you’re saving, if you’ve got a good one, we want to hear about it.
Just use the Rafflecopter box to leave your details below. The closing date for this competition is 30th May 2014 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. One winner judged to have provided the best energy saving tip will receive the prize.
NOW CLOSED
15 May 2014
One best ways I save time is with my two young daughters I always make too much food so I put small portions into boxes and freeze the food, it’s great if you have a full day out and you get back late and children never want to wait around for food so put it in the oven or microwave to warm food up and it save time making a full blown meal and also save tantrums of overtired Hungary little ones :) xx
15 May 2014
I would recommend getting a smart meter fitted, they are free from most energy suppliers. You can track which of your appliances are using the most electricity and see if you can cut down the use of it. For us it was the tumble drier and we have saved quite a bit by hanging the washing outside more.
15 May 2014
To save a lot of time ironing i tend to give clothes a good shake when they come out of the washer and fold neatly before putting on the radiator, this way i hardly have any ironing to do which saves me hours a week!
15 May 2014
Start Christmas shopping early online & buy younger kids things like DVDs second hand on sites like Amazon on Ebay. My son doesn’t know the difference and it means it looks like I’ve spoiled him for very little money.
15 May 2014
I use low energy lightbulbs through out the house and never leave any thing on standby. You can pick up some gadgets which turn off the power to your appliances via a remote if you don’t have time to switch everything off! I always control my heating via the room thermostat 18-20 degrees and the timer function. Where ever possible I cook meals using my microwave as this uses less power than my electric cooker. When renewing white goods I always try to buy A++ rated energy efficient models but this can be quite expensive if you’re shopping on a budget.
15 May 2014
When you buy presents online. do the online giftwrap, and let the sender send to the person who the gift is for instaed of you, so you save on postage sending it yourself to them,
15 May 2014
I reuse birthday papers etc and gift bags for other peoples birthday, and when the kids have gone out I make sure they have unplugged and switched off all there electricals, I also give the a weekly treat if they have as an incentive
15 May 2014
I used to throw away so much food as it wasn’t being used by its use by date. Now I plan all our meals before doing the weekly shop and stick to the list! Shopping online also helps as you are much less tempted to pick up things you don’t need. It’s worked for me!
15 May 2014
Compare the price per 100g/kilo/number of cans etc at the supermarket, for example, sometimes being the bigger box is not cheaper than buying two small boxes.
15 May 2014
Buy all my toys for the kids throughout the year for Christmas when I see them cheaper
15 May 2014
Ita the little things i do that help me to save energy, things like boiling a kettle with only the water i’m going to use, switching appliances off when they’re not being used and putting a jumper on if i’m chilly
15 May 2014
I love the Lime Energy Saving Plug (I think you can even get these free from certain websited).
I use mine in our living room, it controls all of our main gadgets, so 1 click of the remote button & the power is switched off from the TV, broadband, BT box, Console & Stereo, rest assured nothing left on standby overnight.
15 May 2014
Remote control power sockets on all hard to reach plugs – cheap to buy, stops you leaving things on standby, but most importantly of all……..hidden in your jumper sleeve the kids think you can do magic :)
15 May 2014
Close all the curtains as soon as the light begins to fade. We always cook extra at mealtimes for packed lunches the next day. Lights must be turned off when you leave a room. Foil behind all the radiators to reflect heat back into the room. Energy monitor was really useful in helping us see where we were using our electricity. Nothing is left on standby!
15 May 2014
I love to use candles and turn out the lights! There’s nothing more relaxing in the evening than candles burnings – the whole family finds it very therapeutic. I love to use the outdoors for drying washing rather than radiators as you only end up opening the windows which is a no, no. I love the smell of the fresh outdoors, there’s nothing better than staying as close to nature as you can. Thank you
15 May 2014
Put a dry towel in your tumble dryer to cut drying time in half
15 May 2014
Turn the pressure down on the power shower. A high-pressure power shower is a great luxury to have but you’d be surprised how much water they use – sometimes even more than a bath!
15 May 2014
Set your washing machine to wash at 30°C.
15 May 2014
Never leave things you standby. Always turn everything off at the plug, especially phone chargers and console/laptop power supplies.
15 May 2014
Using a bowl to wash up rather than leaving the hot tap running.
15 May 2014
Unless your home is very new, you’re likely to be losing some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, maybe up a chimney or two, and a whole host of other little holes around the house. Why not buy some proper draught-proofing products for the doors and windows, seal your skirting boards with silicone sealant, and fit a chimney draught excluder or sealed fire guards? DIY draught proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards could cost up to £200, but could save between £20 – £30 a year in a draughty home.
15 May 2014
I save all our leftovers – be it home made or takeaways and then every so often scoop them all out of the freezer (I try and get stuff that matches!) and we have a easy v quick to prepare dinner! The only time its ever gone wrong is when I took a tuppaware of duck stock in to work thinking it was left over Chinese takeaway OH THE DISAPPOINTMENT!
15 May 2014
Every fall, check your windows for peeling/missing sealant. Drafty windows cost energy and a lot of money in the cold winter months. Making sure your windows are in top condition before the cold snap will help your energy consumption and your wallet!
15 May 2014
If you have got electric hob turn it off five mins towards the end of cooking has the heat is still on for a while
15 May 2014
Never put the water heater on unless I know I’m gonna use it. Some food can cook as the oven is heating up. Wash clothes at lowest possible temp. And never do it until there is a full load,nothing is tumble dried. Only use dish washer when completely full. Use energy saving light bulbs and turn the power off everything not just put it on standby.
15 May 2014
my best tip is to shorten the amount of time the heating is on – reduce the timer by 1hr, no-one will really notice, especially if there’s a couple of cosy throws over the sofa arm close by to snuggle into of an evening!
15 May 2014
After an accident left me with constant pain in my leg, I had to rethink how I use my limited energy/mobility. One energy saving rule I now follow is never to go from one room to another empty handed. Whether it’s taking dishes back to the kitchen, laundry downstairs or toys back to bedrooms, I’m always carrying something on my journey around the house. It’s amazing how much time & energy such a simple thing saves and it’s a simple rule for the rest of the family to follow too
15 May 2014
turn your heating down by just 1oc and it saves so much energy. also…put a jumper on! ;)
15 May 2014
Turn the radiator off in the kitchen, The oven and hob will heat the air around you in the kitchen whilst you are cooking and once you’ve dished up leave the oven door ajar to let out all the lovely heat to warm the kitchen whilst you eat.
15 May 2014
If your radiators are on an outside wall you may be loosing heat through the wall. Place foil behind the radiators to retain more heat!
15 May 2014
I always try to use the oven for several parts of the same meal to save money.
15 May 2014
freeze home made cakes and pies already cut, just defrost what you need, no waste
15 May 2014
One thing we’ve done that has worked, is to close doors, and switch radiators off in rooms not being used. Closing the doors, means that we’re only heating the rooms that are being used. However, it has taken quite a few weeks to ‘reminding’ my daughter to close the door !!!
15 May 2014
Always switch all electricals off at the socket when they are not being used! It will save you more money if everything isn’t just switched to stand by as this uses more electricity.
15 May 2014
Remember to switch off plug sockets around your home .x
15 May 2014
Always remember to switch off lights in rooms not used
15 May 2014
When you need to buy a new washing machine, invest in an eco-friendly one! Choosing an energy-efficient washing machine can save you up to £37 a year on bills!.
15 May 2014
when you’re running your shower and waiting for it to warm up, collect the water and use it for your flowers. Another one I always remember is only fill your kettle so that there’s enough, it doesn’t need to be full to the top!
15 May 2014
When washing dishes leave them to dry rather than drying them. Shake clothes if using a tumble dryer so that they won’t need ironed and never throw out veg, roll left over cooked veg in a puff pastry roll with some tomato and garlic and you have second day strudal.
15 May 2014
In the summer instead of needing to put on expensive fans or air conditioning when you get home, always close your blinds and curtains and windows before you go to work. That way when you return home you return to a lovely cool home with less of need to cool it down further.
15 May 2014
I use a glue gun on all bathroom toys like ducks and squeezy animals as this stops water getting in and making them mouldy. We recycle all our boxes and turn them into garages, dolls houses. I buy all the Christmas presents though out the year so I don’t have a huge bill when the prices go up at Christmas. X
15 May 2014
In the cold weather put silver foil behind your radiators it stops the heat going in to the wall
15 May 2014
I turn the oven off ten minutes before the food comes out. The heat continues to cook the food without costing me money!
15 May 2014
cuddle more for warmth!
15 May 2014
Switch all plug and light sockets at night
15 May 2014
Switch all plug sockets off when you go to bed or go out.
15 May 2014
Budget and don’t buy fast food!
16 May 2014
Always turn appliance off rather than onto standy. I have found that using a slow cooker is very economical & delicious too!
16 May 2014
Pour water direct into cup then into kettle so boiling right amount
16 May 2014
I save money by planning out budgets and attaching receipts to the calendar to make sure I stick to them – it’s too easy to overspend when the receipts are out of sight and out of mind!
16 May 2014
Use only what you need water-wise when boiling the kettle for hot drinks.
20 May 2014
Batch cook your meals, especially casseroles, bolognaise etc x
16 May 2014
When I make meals, I cook a large batch of it, it could be spaghetti bolognaise, or Spanish chicken and freeze what we don’t use. I work shifts so it means I always have something homemade to take to work instead of eating ready meals
16 May 2014
When cooking anything in the oven and you are having beans or another tinned food, remove label and just place the can in the oven, it heats up and saves on the microwave
16 May 2014
cook as many of the weeks meals as possible together at the start of the week then you only need a little power to heat them up
16 May 2014
Loft insulation is a must and quite often free to a lot of people.
16 May 2014
If you are a big tea or coffee drinker like myself and are at home all day please use a flask it is unbelievable how much electricity the kettle burns.
Also try and do your loads of washing after 7pm (cheaper on the electric)
16 May 2014
Make sure you switch electrical items off and not leave them on standby
16 May 2014
turn the heating down, wear a jumper and help those asthma sufferers too :)
16 May 2014
Buy a halogen oven, it uses 75% less energy than a conventional electric oven and will cook food 50% faster too which will save you time when cooking your family a roast dinner. Overall it will help reduce your electricity bill loads :-)
16 May 2014
when running the water for the washing up keep the cold water that you don’t need in a pan and use for dogs/cats drinking water, filling the kettle etc
17 May 2014
I always ensure that lights and any electrical appliances are turned off if nobody is in the room.
17 May 2014
Recycle everything that you can – glass jars to use for home-made pickles and chutneys, if you have a fruit or vegetable glut – make jams and bottled produce rather than wasting – or freeze if you can. Keep the local free paper to scrumple up for lighting your fire, if you print off info on your printer – when you have finished with it use the other side of the paper for your shopping lists.
17 May 2014
Our family recycles everything we can, turns off lights when not in use, turns off stand by lights etc, Batch cook and freeze cakes, pasta bakes, lasagne etc. Installed thermostatic values to radiators, and always close doors on leaving a room
17 May 2014
Switch off the PC at night (alot of people don’t!) – turn the TV off standby too!
17 May 2014
Do the supermarket shop in the evenings it’s so much quieter you get round a lot quicker and there are loads of end of day reductions you can stock the freezer with.
17 May 2014
turn the hot water thermostat down on your boiler and wash your clothes at 15-30 C
18 May 2014
now the weather is improving put your clothes out to dry outside instead of using a tumble dryer
18 May 2014
Don’t leave anything on Stadby and if you flip the off switch at the wall then you save even more.
18 May 2014
Check your electric plan and use the washing machine when cheapest. A slow cooker costs just 3p an hour to run max, it cooks the same as an oven but using much less electricity. Listen to the radio instead of having the tv on all day if your on your own, and invest in a tea cup or a flask so your not boiling the kettle so much during the day. Keep gas costs down by having your thermostat on low and only putting on high when needed. Shop around in different stores for the best deals when doing your groceries and use coupons and discount codes wherever possible.
18 May 2014
Try not to use the tumble dryer, it costs a fortune , hang your clothes out when possible xx
18 May 2014
It save soooooo much energy every day if you jus switch the lights off when leaving a room :)
18 May 2014
best tip I can give is if your on ESA Income related or any other disability benefit ring your provider as your entitled to a energy grant I got £135 off my bill!! Also don’t leave items on stand by switch off at the plug when not using as still has power running thro if not
18 May 2014
Turn off computers, lights, stereos, video game consoles and every other appliance in your home when not in use. And do this from the main supply, leave nothing on standby. Only have electricity running in the room you are currently using. Everywhere else is wasteful (and harmful to the environment)
18 May 2014
Get a Smart meter – since having mine I have cut down so much as you can see just how much you’re using all the time, it’s helped me to switch things off standby and turn lights off when their not needed on – the biggest thing it’s changed is how much I have the TV on, it used to be on all the time whether I was watching it or not but now I find it’s off most of the day.
19 May 2014
make sure that you have all lights on dimmer switches.
19 May 2014
watch TV in the dark instead of having lights on, there’s enough light from TV
19 May 2014
i use my slow cooker as often as i can as uses very little energy also unplug any plugs that not using and switch off at the mains saves loads x
19 May 2014
Cook extra portions so you can freeze for later date and you won’t have to use the stove or oven as much
19 May 2014
Ive found that if you google energy saving devices there are ofte sites online giving them away. Free Energy saving lightbulbs, water saving devices etc. It really helps
19 May 2014
quick showers, middle of the night timer washes. Using the washing line instead of the dryer. Full freezer, One pot slow cooking, and turning off standby saves you a fortune and finally check the tariff and if your meter is correct. Its really easy to do these without it causing problems.
19 May 2014
I was shocked to see how much electricity a shower uses so take a bath instead and never leave switches on standby!
19 May 2014
After washing up, use the water in the bowl on the lawn or funnel into a watering can to water the flowers with!
19 May 2014
Double up the amount you cook and keep some for lunch the next day. Make sure you ask (and offer!) all your family members a cuppa before boiling the kettle, to save re-boiling. Turn out the lights after you leave a room.
20 May 2014
If you have a log burning stove, put a kettle on it everytime its lit. We oonstantly have a kettle boiling and save the water in flasks, for drinks, washing up, anything you would need hot water for. It saves putting the boiler on in the mornings and it’s free!
20 May 2014
make sure all the electrical appliances on standby are switched off, and keep the lights switched off in the rooms that are not being used x
20 May 2014
I use my timer to heat my hot water during the night when electricity is cheaper and only heat it for 30 mins. Too many people heat water during the day when electricity is more expensive and just heat the amount of water you will need.
20 May 2014
To save time cleaning out your handbag, keep a lock-top sandwich bag in your bag to use as a ‘rubbish’ bag . instead of just stuffing wrappers, tissues, old receipts etc in your bag, put them into the plastic bag, which can be easily lifted out to clean, you’ll never have to clean out your bag again!
20 May 2014
Always turn of the light electricity switches,
20 May 2014
Turn thermostat on hot water tank down. Found I was using lots of cold water to cool water for washing the pots after paying to heat it all up.
20 May 2014
Change kitchen halogen light bulbs for the energy saving kind. I worked out the 10 old lights in my kitchen were using the same electricity as having the toaster on!
20 May 2014
When charging phones laptops etc, unplug them as soon as they are fully charged as they wont charge anymore than full.
20 May 2014
I cook using a slow cooker as not only does it give me more time with my family through the day but it also saves on my electric bill as although it takes longer to cook it uses much less energy
20 May 2014
If you really want to stop throwing money out the window then draught proofing your house is a must! It’s amazing how many people have draughty hallways and still have their heating on. Closing doors behind you helps too. It can be as simple as replacing an old letter box or purchasing some Draught Excluders. Save money and the environment.
21 May 2014
Keep windows/doors closed when heating is on. Only use heating when absolutely necessary. Only boil enough water in a kettle for the amount of drinks you’re making.
21 May 2014
Switching off all stand by lights
21 May 2014
keep the thermostat at about 19deg and wear jumpers
21 May 2014
Energy saving lightbilbs! A must…they last forever and use so little energy
21 May 2014
Turning lights off when leaving a room :)
21 May 2014
and i use a 3 tiered pan, then i can cook all the veggies on one hob ring, save water and energy (having 3 pans on uses far more energy) and when we have fish i wrap in tinfoil and cook on the top tier and we have a full meal in one pan.
21 May 2014
Make sure that you turn everything off before bed and don’t leave anything on standby as it eats electricity.
21 May 2014
Keep the fridge and freezer full to save energy.
21 May 2014
Be sparing with the central heating. Don’t use it if you don’t need it. Shut windows to keep heat in. Switch off appliances when not in use.
21 May 2014
Turn the lights off when not in the room.
21 May 2014
When cooking in the oven turn off the oven 5 minutes before it’s due, the oven will stay hot enough to cook your food and you waste less energy.
21 May 2014
Bake in patches and freeze half
21 May 2014
meal plan and make a list before food shopping!
21 May 2014
Bake in batches and freeze half!
21 May 2014
Turn the heating down 1 degree in the winter and put an extra layer on if need be – we all use more heating energy than we need to.
21 May 2014
turn off electrics instead of putting them on stand by
21 May 2014
Keep an eye on the heating thermostat, turn it down a notch if you don’t feel cold (or wear a jumper!)Keep all electrical appliances turned off when not in use and invest in an energy monitor – they really do help!
21 May 2014
Never use the tumble drier, hang your washing out side ( its free!).
21 May 2014
Fill your oven when it’s on! Cook two or three things at a time and the extra can go in the freezer for a later date.
21 May 2014
Get shut of the husband and kids would save a fortune
21 May 2014
Make full use of a slow cooker, either overnight or while you are out for the day. You will save on cooking costs and also on time spent stirring and watching that meals do not burn.
21 May 2014
i turn everything of at the switch if it not being used it save on the electric
21 May 2014
We have upgraded to a smart meter , which is much easier to see how much electricity you are using. Once I got the kids involved it was a family challenge to use less electric each month. Before I knew it they we’re switch of phone chargers and the television without being asked! My youngest son even told me about energy saving bulbs as they had been looking at saving energy in school.
21 May 2014
Have a thermal flask to put unused hot water, it’ll stay boiling hot for at least a couple more hours. If by morning you still have some left and it’s gone cooler, use it to brush/rinse teeth or wash your face. Saves turning the taps on.
21 May 2014
I like to have at least 3 cups of coffee throughout the morning to keep me awake! Instead of boiling the kettle three times I boil it once and fill a flask. It means I dont have to get up from my desk to make a drink and saves money too!
21 May 2014
Red wine too cold ?
Dont buy a wine warmer!
Put your red wine in the airing cupboard and will be the right temperature.
21 May 2014
If only making one hot drink only put enough water in the kettle for the one cup
21 May 2014
Use a blanket to keep warm on the sofa rather than turning on the heating/fire, it’s snuggly too!
21 May 2014
turn lights out when they don’t need to be on, my kids like to make my home look like blackpool illuminations lol
21 May 2014
With the holiday season beginning, remember to empty your fridge and switch it off while you’re away :-)
21 May 2014
Sounds simple but keep the doors shut.. I live in a flat (ground floor) and was forever putting my heating on and it was costing loads, just by shutting the living room and bedrooms doors it kept the heat in and was able to switch of heating after a short while :)
21 May 2014
Cook extra for dinner and either freeze it for another time or put it in the fridge for tomorow’s lunch. Saves on power for cooking and money spent on a sandwich!
21 May 2014
We take up glasses of water to drink if we become thirsty during the night. In the morning if it hasn’t been drunk we use it to water the plants.
21 May 2014
Get children into the habit of turning out lights and turning off TVs etc when leaving the room. Amazing how many things they leave on!
21 May 2014
Fit insulating foil to the back of your radiators.
21 May 2014
turn heating thermostat down by 2 degrees-amazing what you will save
21 May 2014
cook in batches and freeze food … it saves on food waste
21 May 2014
don’t leave mobile chargers plugged in when not in use
21 May 2014
I turn my oven off 5-10 mins before the food is due to come out. It doesn’t cool down much and all those minutes add up!
21 May 2014
Turn every thing off standby including TVs & Chargers
21 May 2014
Only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle. Not only does it save energy but only boiling what you need, you also save water by not emptying old water out of the kettle each time you use it!
21 May 2014
Having gas and electricity meters installed has made me much more sensitive towards using energy.
21 May 2014
Do all the machine washing at 30 degrees and dry outside!
21 May 2014
turn of lights when your not home
21 May 2014
only take what money you need out of the bamk
21 May 2014
Changing your energy contract regularly
21 May 2014
Turn off lights and appliances when not using them and only put the heating on if it is really cold!
21 May 2014
Always switch off electricity supplies at the sockets when not being used.
21 May 2014
Wait until you have a proper load of washing before running the washing machine
21 May 2014
Put the washing outside , even if only for an hour , it will partly dry
21 May 2014
Tuck your curtains behind your radiators in winter so the heat doesn’t go straight out the window!
21 May 2014
Use energy saving light bulbs preferably LED, makes a difference
21 May 2014
Only fill the kettle to the amount needed, and don’t walk away from it while its heating, or you’ll more than likely be a couple of minutes and have to reboil when you return
21 May 2014
Never leave the television on standby, switch it off completely.
21 May 2014
Never leave anything on standby – switch it off at the plug
21 May 2014
Always have two layers of clothes on and when you are sitting on the settee always use a blanket, you won’t get a shock for your winter fuel bill.
21 May 2014
Peg washing outside or in the garage if wet instead of using the tumble dryer
21 May 2014
I put my computer to Sleep Mode if I’m away for a few minutes.
21 May 2014
dont buy a tumble dryer use clothes airers, only boil the kettle with the amount of water you actually need
21 May 2014
Turn it off: Try to be aware of unnecessary lights left on, and appliances left plugged-in or on standby. Nearly all electrical and electronic appliances can safely be turned off at the plug without upsetting their systems – some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record – but check the instructions on any appliances you aren’t sure about.
21 May 2014
Hang clothes outside if it’s sunny the tumble dryer uses loads of electricity and don’t leave lights on
21 May 2014
Have a tupperware box in freezer I throw bits and bobs of unused veg into before it spoils.then when required I throw them into a pot to make stock.
21 May 2014
Lower the brightness setting on your screen
21 May 2014
Always cook from scratch, eat plenty of vegetables instead of animal produce. Keep the lights on to a minimum and never leave your fridge open more time than necessary.
21 May 2014
Always hang washing outside to dry whenever possible; saves energy and smells great, too
21 May 2014
Never leave electronics on standby, don’t leave lights on, Hang clothes outside or on clothes horse, if you’re cold put extra layers on rather than blasting the heating.
21 May 2014
Use ‘quick wash’ for daily washes where the items aren’t soiled
21 May 2014
Turn everything off. Use a Lakeland heated dryer in the winter which costs a few pence to run. Cook huge batches of minced beef and onions in the slow cooker which can be turned into spaghetti bolognese, chilli con carne, fajitas and other meals quickly and cheaply. Huge fluffy socks and dressing gown on before you turn the heat on/up.
21 May 2014
Unplug electronic devices!
21 May 2014
Try using the Economy setting on your dishwasher if you put it on before you go to bed iy’s dry by the morning ready to pack away
21 May 2014
Turn off the lights when you leave the room!
21 May 2014
STOCK UP! If you are going to be using your oven, make several dishes to freeze for other meaals to go in at same time – this will make use of the energy you would have been using anyway to cook your meal! :-D
21 May 2014
Quick wash and never tumble dry!
21 May 2014
Try to be economical with your oven – if it’s going to be used, try cooking multiple things at the same time. For example, an oven baked rice pudding at the same time as a roast dinner. Consider using a grill or frying pan rather than an oven if you’re only cooking a small amount.
21 May 2014
NEVER buy a tumble drier!
21 May 2014
Don’t leave the heating on overnight during winter months. A warm blanket on the bed works just as well and saves loads of money!
21 May 2014
Dont’t be silly about vacuuming only vacuum when absolutely necessary manual carpet sweepers are great and require no electricity
21 May 2014
In the winter months, pop aluminium foil behind your radiators and wood-burners to emit more heat. This way the heat won’t get lost in the walls and gets botched back into the room!
21 May 2014
With so many mobile devices needing to be charged each day, do not leave any on over night to say over a year. You can buy a smart charger like the Belkin Conserve Valet Smart USB Charging Station I use
21 May 2014
Turn heating down by a couple degrees to cut fuel bills
21 May 2014
Turn all lights and switches off and take plugs out when not being used
21 May 2014
Only plug chargers in when you are using them, I have an extension lead which I can switch off without unplugging when not in use which is very good esp due to awkward place of some sockets
21 May 2014
always do washing/drying at night x
21 May 2014
I always go through my cupboards and write a menu plan for the week before I shop. I try not to get swayed by any other offers!
21 May 2014
use old food tins as plant pots, a row of tins with a tulip in each look lovely , or with herbs on your kitchen windowsill very practical
21 May 2014
Looking out for government grants in your area, such as insulation grants or energy efficient schemes
21 May 2014
always turn lights off when you leave that room x
21 May 2014
Only switch on lights that you need
21 May 2014
WHEN MAKING PASTA AND STEWS ETC, ALWAYS MAKE MORE SO YOU CAN FREEZE THEM FOR OTHER DAYS MEALS
21 May 2014
Only heat rooms you use and close doors to those you don’t. If you’re at home during the day only heat the rooms you’ll use, you can turn the bedroom rads back on before bedtime.
21 May 2014
Turn off the electric hob before your pan of food is cooked. Put a lid on the pan, and it will continue cooking. Works brilliantly for pasta and rice.
21 May 2014
In the winter only heat rooms that are used and keep doors closed. In summer, dry your washing outside.
21 May 2014
Don’t waste food. If you have veg that is getting a bit old lurking in the fridge. Use it up.. Make a soup, veggie sauce or put it in a casserole. Use a slow cooker to save money and freeze any leftovers.
21 May 2014
wash your clothes in the washing machine at 30 instead of 40
21 May 2014
Turn off all plug points when not in use. Do not use a tumble drier. Collect clothes over the week , so that the washing machine is optimisely used
21 May 2014
always precook and freeze meals and make more than you need as this will save loads of time at meals
21 May 2014
My latest one is to make my meals in batches and freeze the extra, it’s saving me time, gas and the freezer is full which also means that it performs better.
21 May 2014
Fit LED lightbulbs throughout the house – we did this 6 months ago and just received money back from our energy provider AND had our direct debit reduced by a quarter ….an amazing saving!
21 May 2014
i use natural light where possible in the house and put on a jumper if cold rather than rush to the central heating!
21 May 2014
The biggest difference I’ve noticed in my house was to have the roof insulated. Didn’t cost anything with our current supplier and it’s made such an improvement. Worth considering
21 May 2014
Heat rooms that are in use and use throws in the evening.
21 May 2014
turn things that you’re not using off -son’t let them sit on standby
21 May 2014
We changed all my mother’s lightbulbs to energy saving ones. She does not go around religiously switching them off and she has a chandelier in nearly every room but her electricity usage has definitely reduced significantly. My father used to take readings every month and I have carried on doing it every six weeks for her so I know the average consumption for the past 30 years or more and I can compare year on year to let her know what works and what doesn’t.
21 May 2014
If you don’t need lights on, but don’t want to be in the complete dark then light a few candles instead.
21 May 2014
i drink alot of brews and only boil the kettle with enough water for what i need
21 May 2014
Install solar panels. We do all our washing, ironing, charging etc during the day when the sun is out so we use our own electric and reduce our bill.
21 May 2014
i switch all my appliances off at the wall if not in use
21 May 2014
Go abroad somewhere sunny during UK winter months.. save on horrendous heating bills yet still get the winter fuel allowance
21 May 2014
I collected all the old towels and jumpers that were too raggy for the charity shop. When I had a bag full, I unscrewed the side of the bath and packed them round the tub before screwing the bath side back on.
Now my water stays lovely and hot without the need for top-ups, saving me a fortune and taking the guilt out of the occasional soak.
21 May 2014
If your a big tea drinker like me, only fill up the water in the kettle you need, it’s quicker and cheaper too. I always turn my boiler off when I’m out of the house, just incase it’s on a timer.
21 May 2014
Cook meals from scratch in bulk and freeze to use at a later date.x
21 May 2014
pull curtains at dusk and have good thick heavy ones
21 May 2014
John Lewis sells insulated lining material for curtains, make them floor length and line them with this. Keeps the heat in brilliantly during the winter, and also keeps the heat out in the summer if you keep the curtains closed during the day.
21 May 2014
I have found that my Electricity Bill has fallen dramatically now that I use a Halogen oven instead of my big fan oven. Quite often the meal is nearly cooked in the time the big oven would have taken getting to temperature.
21 May 2014
Wear big jumpers and lots of layers around the house to stay warm rather than switching the heating on. Also an energetic cleaning session is good to warm up as well as the obvious benefits ;-)
21 May 2014
In the winter leave the oven door open after using it so that it heats the kitchen. You can then turn the thermostat down for a while to save on bills.
21 May 2014
Turn everything off at the wall overnight! Seriously, I never knew how much energy was wasted by leaving things on standby.
21 May 2014
If you don’t use it turn the appliance completely off
21 May 2014
Wear layers not to put heating on
21 May 2014
Showers not baths and do full loads of washing
21 May 2014
so good!
21 May 2014
Close curtains when it starts to get dark to keep heat in.
21 May 2014
Always turn of lights when leaving rooms
21 May 2014
Never go food shopping on an empty stomach – a tip for all time there ;)
21 May 2014
make sure you turn off all power points, as they still use energy even with nothing plugged in.
21 May 2014
Never leave things on standby!
21 May 2014
Dress appropriately for the weather & pop an extra woolly on if it is chilly instead of putting the heating on, & also do not have the heating on with the windows open
21 May 2014
If your not using it turn it off
21 May 2014
don’t boil full kettle of water for just one cup of coffee
21 May 2014
Wait until you have a full load before using washing machine
21 May 2014
Use the new LED bulbs with the 5 year guarantee, they’re expensive but save a lot over 5 years
21 May 2014
Make meals that will do for another three dinners
22 May 2014
Insulate your loft if it’s not already, our house is sooo much warmer now!
22 May 2014
hi i try to cook 2 days meals in the oven at the same time it saves money and if you make more of something like shepherds pie you can put one in the freezer for another week so saving personal time and energy to
turn off lights when you leave an empty room
dont leave taps running
only buy enough food you know you will use and if you do buy to much fresh veg blanch and freeze it x
22 May 2014
Always switch plugs off at the wall when you aren’t using them :)
22 May 2014
Use draught excluders and thick curtains in the winter and you can turn your heating down a bit :). Also layer up clothing to keep yourself warm, rather than turning up the heating!
22 May 2014
In the winter wear thermal underwear, put reflective sheets behind your radiators, only put the hot water on about an hour before you know you are going to need it, boil a kettle to do the washing up instead of putting the water heater on, get a largeload capacity washing machine and only do laundry on one day a week. Only use the iron for clothes you are about to wear saving time and energy by not ironing a large pile of laundry, folding it and putting it away only to have to iron clothers again just before you wear them. Try and plan meals for the week and budget for that weeks groceries whilst keeping an eye out for coupons for the items you buy regularly. When cooking, tryto use a microwave as much as possible as it is quicker and cuts down on using the gas or electricity for your cooker. When cooking veg, boil as many different vegetables in the same pan so you are using less gas/electric buy using one less ring to cook on.
22 May 2014
put things on stand by and turn of plugs not being used
22 May 2014
turn heating down a few degrees
22 May 2014
Wash at 30 c and turn off immersion heater if not needed.
22 May 2014
i always run round the house checking switches and lights – always check and turn off when not needed
22 May 2014
Candles – Light and Heat at half the price of electricity
22 May 2014
Plan your meals ahead to cut food waste
22 May 2014
Time = space so operate 1 in 1 out on all clothes etc. Money = wait 24 hours before spending, you may find you have gone off whatever it was you needed! Energy = look into getting a new boiler. Ours was 9 nears old but the new one is much more efficient!
22 May 2014
I try to Multi-Cook If I have a hot cooker than I cook things that I can cook in bulk and save etc – Bake cakes whilst doing dinner – that sort of thing saves a lot of energy
22 May 2014
Take your clothes out of the dryer before they’re completely dry – they’ll iron much quicker and you’ll use less energy on your drier.
22 May 2014
I turn my heating down a few degrees and I cook mutiple meals in the oven.
22 May 2014
I turn every Aplliance off when not in use. The only thing that stays on is the fridge/freezer, fish tank and hot water switch. I have very cheap biills each month by just caring for the environment a bit more.
22 May 2014
I spend a couple of hours on a Sunday making big portions of pasta and things like that so I can freeze them for lunches for the next couple of weeks. Saves me time during the week and I don’t spend lots of money on lunch!
22 May 2014
Turn off lights when not in the room :)
22 May 2014
Buy a onesie – not only will you save money on heating but you will look super cute/ridiculous! :-)
22 May 2014
Spend all day at your local library, pop to a friends house at ‘tea time’, then sleep in your car.lol, OR, Turn y our Rads off and do some exercise!
22 May 2014
turn lights off when not in use.
22 May 2014
make sure you only have the essentials plugged in I always turn off things on standby, turn off lights, close all doors to keep heat in
22 May 2014
use the local library or charity shops for books to read.
22 May 2014
always turn things off at the plug
22 May 2014
make use of the free cavity wall & loft insulation grants provided by the government. There’s also one for a free boiler
22 May 2014
Only fill the kettle up with as much water as you need. Overfilling uses a lot more electricity and is a waste of water.
23 May 2014
Use your oven as little as possible. It is much cheaper to use the microwave or even better at this time of year, have lots of salads. And if you do need to use the oven, plan ahead to fill it with tomorrow’s dinner or cake. And cook a double portion so half can be frozen. And don’t start pre-heating the oven too soon, or you may not be ready when the oven is up-to temperature. And afterwards leave the oven door open in winter for free heat.
22 May 2014
Get a solar power torch for emergencies – No need to worry about dead/replacement/spare batteries. I got one for about a fiver a couple of years ago and just charge it up every couple of days by leaving it on the windowsill.
22 May 2014
If you have econemy 7 put you washing machine and drier on a timer and run at night
22 May 2014
Always turn lights off if not needed and use energy saving bulbs.
22 May 2014
Turn your heating OFF unless it’s really cold.
22 May 2014
only fill the kettle with as much water as you need
22 May 2014
Plan your meals for the week, it not only reduces the time you spend shopping, limits the spur of the moment purchases and reduces food waste and therefore cost
22 May 2014
give yourself a energy saving makeover. look at cavity walling, check your lights, take care of any drafts, loft insulation. saving energy isn’t just one thing is something that should be reviewed on a regular basis. always remember to air the house when its warm so it stays warmer in winter and pull curtains closed before it gets cold trapping in the heat.
22 May 2014
Lie down in bed with the lights off. Saves lots of energy! ;-)
22 May 2014
boil only the forrest of water when making a cup of coffee.
22 May 2014
If you put foil behind the radiators it reflects heat back into the house rather than getting absorbed into the walls!
22 May 2014
Only boil the amount of water that you need.
22 May 2014
turn lights of when not needed
22 May 2014
In the winter use draft excluders.
22 May 2014
Use LED bulbs
22 May 2014
I always look for the cheapest deal before buying anything.
22 May 2014
Make sure you don’t have lights on in empty rooms, unless absolutely necessary
22 May 2014
I have a fruit crumble, fruit loaf and/or a batch of cakes ready if I am using the oven to cook the evening meal. They can then all go in together or immediately afterwards to save electricity.
22 May 2014
I have lovely fleece blankets in every room – we always grab a blankie if we feel a chill rather than putting the heating on needlessly
22 May 2014
always turn things off at the power when not in use things like tvs laptops etc
23 May 2014
Buy everything you need for lunchboxes in multipacks at the start of the month – it saves money and time :)
23 May 2014
A little time spent planning will save hours. For instance: keep a shopping list pad in the kitchen and write what is needed on it straightaway. Then when you go shopping simply tear off the page and you have the start of your list.
23 May 2014
Swap all your light bulbs for energy saving ones
23 May 2014
Share the bath water, but make it fun by doing a draw or playing the ‘yes/no’ game to see who goes first (and gets the clean water). Younger ones get excited to win something so it will also encourage them in if they are unwilling!
23 May 2014
if on a water meter put a brick in the top of the toilet system
23 May 2014
to use couponing websites such as http://www.ukcouponing.co.uk
23 May 2014
When you cook dinner in the oven, put a large pyrex in the oven when you take the food out and turn the oven off. By the time you’ve finished eating – your water will be lovely and warm for the washing up.
23 May 2014
A warm blanket!
23 May 2014
Don’t wash clothes unless they actually need it. So what if you’ve already worn the same jumper for a few days – if it doesn’t look or smell dirty, it doesn’t need washing yet!
23 May 2014
I turn off the tap when brushing my teeth and also turn off electrical sockets.
23 May 2014
Don’t heat the whole house for 1 person in 1 room!
23 May 2014
Do all of the little things that you have been putting off. Such as, using draught excluders, radiator reflectors etc. Combined, they will make a big difference.
23 May 2014
Always turn appliances off at the plug
23 May 2014
timers for things so they arent left on all the time – always switch of used things – turn down the thermostat even just by 1 will make a difference and use a slow cooker on timer its less than using the oven :) X
23 May 2014
Don’t leave appliances on stand by when not in use, switch off properly
23 May 2014
in the summer use the washing line to dry your washing in the winter use your radiators to dry it rather than using the dryer.
23 May 2014
Check your windows and doors for draughts, and always buy curtains with thermal linings x
23 May 2014
A good old hot water bottle at night to keep you warm with cranking up the heating.
23 May 2014
an energy smart meter
23 May 2014
Plan to use the oven efficiently: plan what you are gong to cook in it and when, and fill it for the shortest time possible. Don’t heat up just one baking tray of a couple of things and then turn it on again an hour later for something else.
23 May 2014
Switch the lights off when you leave the room
23 May 2014
Wear lots of layers rather than having the heating on. Install a wood burning stove, we did this and have saved so much money by burning our own wood especially while oil prices are so high.
23 May 2014
I changed my GU10 Halogen bulbs in the kitchen (6 of them) to LED GU10’s. They use a fraction of the electricity of the old bulbs, and it’s far less hot in the kitchen without Halogen lights!
23 May 2014
Use the washing machine at 30 degrees it works just as good as 40!
23 May 2014
We bought thermal lined curtains before the winter, and drew them at dusk. They kept the house a lot warmer. Also finding now that they keep the heat of the sun out on hot days!
23 May 2014
turn off the lights & switch everything off when you are not using it, even when electrical goods are on standby it still uses electricity
24 May 2014
On very hot days to cool down instantly have a walk through the supermarket frozen food aisles! soooo cold :)
24 May 2014
In summer to save energy..we do our laundry the desi way.
This means to wash all clothes in the backyard with just a large bucket& plenty of washing powder.
Two plus points..handwashed sparkling clean clothes and u also get chance to cool down whilst washing clothes
24 May 2014
When boiling the kettle use as little water as possible then pour any left over boiling water into a thermos flask. Re-use the water in the flask when next boiling the kettle. This pre-heats any additional water and saves time, energy and money.
24 May 2014
Don’t leave electrical goods on standby. Don’t know why manufacturers don’t faze it out
24 May 2014
Always make sure you unplug those things you’re not using and switch off sockets xx
24 May 2014
Use timer switches on as many electrical devices as possible
24 May 2014
Wearing more clothes a round the house in winter- Especially fluffy thermal bedsocks!
24 May 2014
Bleed your radiators regularly. It’s surprising how much hotter they can become
24 May 2014
if your attic is empty fill it with empty cardboard boxes to save on heating bills
24 May 2014
If using the oven make more than you need and freeze the rest in ready made portions (saves time in the future too). When I have finished, if it is cold outside I leave the oven door open (obviously when turned off!) the heat helps warm the room, for free!
24 May 2014
using an energy monitor
24 May 2014
turn the heating down by 1 degree
24 May 2014
always take a shopping list and unless there are any special offers that you do normally buy dont get taken in
24 May 2014
Use those money off vouchers-the savings really do add up!
24 May 2014
Always turn the light off when leaving the room
24 May 2014
Use energy saving light bulbs and don’t leave your laptop or telly on standby
24 May 2014
Use a Smart Meter. It really made me aware of my electricity usage.
24 May 2014
don’t leave appliances on standby
24 May 2014
Use scented candles at night time instead of outting the lights on. it make the room feel warm and cosy. Not only does it save you money but it acts as a air freshner aswell :)
24 May 2014
Don’t buy expensive cakes..use over ripe bananas for banana cake,make batches of flapjacks..cheap and easy for lunch boxes. Purée soft fruit into milk shakes and into ice lolly moulds. Soft vegetables make into chutneys and sauces..all easy,money saving and best of all no yucky additives!
24 May 2014
Always recycle!
24 May 2014
Use less water in the kettle when only making one cuppa, it saves a lot of energy!
24 May 2014
Cook big pots of stew, bolognaise sauce, curry etc and freeze it in individual pots for quick and easy meals in the week with less energy costs, saving both time and money.
24 May 2014
Make a shopping list and only buy what you need for the week to stop food waste.
24 May 2014
Always turn off appliances and lights in rooms that are currently not occupied
25 May 2014
Use the oven to cook two things at once and use a pan with dividers to cook more than one vegetable in the same pan.
25 May 2014
go out as often as possible!
25 May 2014
Turn everything off when you leave a room
25 May 2014
Switch things off which are not in use
25 May 2014
It is more cost effective to have the house running on a low heat than trying to put the heating up high for a short time xx
25 May 2014
alway take bags with you when you go shopping
25 May 2014
turn off the television and pick up a book instead
25 May 2014
really cool stuff
25 May 2014
Replace all bulbs with energy saving ones, you will be surprised what you save each month. My daughter works from home and saved at least £10 a month
25 May 2014
turn out the lights when you leave each room :)
25 May 2014
check all meters monthly, when running water to get hot keep cold run and use for garden, cleaning veg etc
25 May 2014
Keep the freezer full to work more efficiently. Fill spaces with cardboard boxes if necessary. Keep your fridge and freezer doors open for as little time as possible too
25 May 2014
I always turn the microwave off at the wall when not in use – who uses the time on there anyway?!
25 May 2014
always turn the tv off at the switch not just the remote
25 May 2014
Plan the whole weeks meals so you save on grocery bills from last minute dashes. Make big portions and freeze.
25 May 2014
keep doors shut to retain the heat in each room
25 May 2014
Turn odd lights and use candles in the evenings
25 May 2014
Put an extra jumper on rather than turn up the heating.
25 May 2014
Anytime I have my wood burning stove lit I cook on it to save using gas. All you need is a cast iron pot and trivet
25 May 2014
Never leave things on standby – kids always leave them on and it drives me mad!!
25 May 2014
Unplug all unnecessary appliances when not it use
25 May 2014
Don’t live in a sauna – jumpers and blankets with candles lit make a room nice and warm, and snuggly too
25 May 2014
use a ecobutton to ‘snooze’ a computer when away for breaks
25 May 2014
Put lids on your pans when cooking and if it is cold (and safe to do so) after cooking, leave your oven door open, as you’ve already paid to use your oven, use the heat from it to warm the room whilst it cools down
25 May 2014
Use blankets and hot water bottles when feeling chilly in the evening to avoid putting the heating on.
26 May 2014
Always fill the kettle with just the right amount of water you need dont overfill as its a waste
26 May 2014
A halogen oven can roast a chicken in 30 minutes. It uses 75% less electricity than a conventional electric oven. When you combine this lower use of power with the 50% faster cooking time you can see a big reduction in your electricity bill.
26 May 2014
Never leave anything on stand by un-plug and switch off the socket
26 May 2014
When I go shopping I only take out what I can afford to spend
26 May 2014
Just turn switches off.
26 May 2014
i have invested in a device that when you switch your tv onto standby it actually turns the socket off, best thing ever as my kids never turned the tv off properly
26 May 2014
Batch cook, saves time and money.
26 May 2014
Turn down the thermostat by 1 degree
26 May 2014
Eat carrots to see in the dark.
26 May 2014
Use cashback sites when shopping online – saves you money in the long run!
26 May 2014
Never leave TVs and other appliances on standby when not in use.
26 May 2014
Most weekends I make a big pot of soup which lasts the week. It might be lentils (very cheap and tasty) or leftover chicken etc. It’s much more cost effective and is ridiculously cheap – plus you know what’s in it. This combines with the fact that warming it up just takes minutes so it’s the ultimate fast food! Great for an evening snack when the need to nibble strikes too!
26 May 2014
If you’re not using it, turn it off. Every time
26 May 2014
turn all electronic equipment off at the switch standby still drains energy
26 May 2014
First tip: put on a jumper or cardigan before putting on the heating.
Bonus tip: only put your heating on when you are cold – setting it on the timer to come on regardless a couple of times a day is a waste of money
26 May 2014
Energy saving lightbulbs are a godsend!
26 May 2014
Definitely wearing warn jumpers instead of sticking the heating on! Also I use my used bathwater to wash the cats litter tray or the hamster enclosure.
26 May 2014
Share your shower or bath :)
26 May 2014
Try bathing in cold water!
26 May 2014
cuddle lots!
26 May 2014
Always turn power off on all chargers as well as electrical appliances when not in use.
26 May 2014
I nearly always cook large amounts and freeze the leftovers.
26 May 2014
simple tips; turn lights off that are not needed, unplug things instead of leaving on stand-by, turn heating down slightly and showers instead of baths.
26 May 2014
Turn all electrical items off at the socket when not in use. It’s amazing how much this small change in habit can save you.
26 May 2014
when making tea or coffee, fill your cup to the top with water then pour into kettle, not only do you save on water but you save on electricity too.
26 May 2014
Keep showers short. Turn the tap off while you are cleaning your teeth and turn lights off when you leave a room
26 May 2014
Turn lights off as you leave each room
26 May 2014
All eat the same evening meal, one lot of cooking , one lot of washing up…..
26 May 2014
Keep a bottle of tap water next to the kettle and just fill to minimum for 1 cuppa, fill as appropriate for how many cups needed
26 May 2014
Don’t leave the tap running when cleaning your teeth.
26 May 2014
Have duvets instead of putting the heating on. It’s much more comfortable and fun in the evenings anyway!
26 May 2014
Wear a jumper instead of putting the heater on when it gets chilly
26 May 2014
turn off the shower when washing would not believe how much water and lece u save
26 May 2014
Invest in a slow cooker
26 May 2014
We always make a flask of coffee in the morning to save boiling the kettle multiple times through the day. Also, wear layers or hide under blankets and turn that thermostat down!
26 May 2014
I use a hot water bottle and wear lots of extra clothing. I would rather snuggle up than pay expensive bills for heating
26 May 2014
my kids always leave there devices switched on so when they go to school i turn the electric off at the switch board as i can never get to the sockets to turn them off
26 May 2014
Energy saving light bulbs
26 May 2014
Turn lights off – watch a film in the dark its like being at the pictures.
Only boil the amount of water you need. Have a shower instead of a bath.
Wait until you have a full load before turning on the washer, and dry the washing outdoors and not in the dryer
26 May 2014
Always turn electrical appliances off at the switch when they’re not being used.
26 May 2014
Shop at the local Butchers- cheaper than the supermarkets!!!
26 May 2014
Use draught excluders at your doors, it’s amazing how much difference this can make
26 May 2014
Always use less washing liquid than recommended unless your clothes are really dirty, you won’t notice the difference and you will get several more washes out of each bottle
26 May 2014
switch off at the plug – don’t leave on standby
26 May 2014
Only put lights on in the room you are in.
26 May 2014
(Please delete my previous post where my email was displayed.)
Only put lights on in the room you are in.
26 May 2014
don’t leave anything on standby
26 May 2014
the easiest thing to save is too switch things off at the plug on a night on things like the tv, it adds up fast
26 May 2014
Live with Mum & Dad ;)
27 May 2014
Invest in energy saving light bulbs
27 May 2014
I switch off plug sockets over night, so things don’t run on stand-by.
27 May 2014
Use drought excluders
27 May 2014
Batch cook..It saves on energy and time
27 May 2014
batch cook, look for money saving recipes
27 May 2014
Never boil more water than you need.
27 May 2014
Never boil more water than you need. (sorry already posted this but didn’t put name.)
27 May 2014
only boil the amount of water you need for your tea
27 May 2014
There’s a reason ‘Smart’ meters are so called.
27 May 2014
Add a layer of clothing instead of turning up the heating.
27 May 2014
Turn radiators down low upstairs heat rise’s.
27 May 2014
Only boil enough water for what you need.
27 May 2014
turn all sockets off when going out or to sleep
27 May 2014
Layer 2 thin jumpers and turn your heating thermostat down.
27 May 2014
Eat small meals every 2-3 hours not 3 main 5-6 hours apart.
27 May 2014
Switch everything off at the socket when not in use – you’d be surprised how much energy you waste by leaving things on!
27 May 2014
Only put enough water int he kettle for the drinks you are making. No point boiling a full kettle for one cup!
27 May 2014
Switch off the oven early as it will stay hot for a while so saves energy by switching off while you finish cooking!
27 May 2014
Invest in solar panels – they really are worth it.
27 May 2014
To use energy saving light bulbs and switch off lights when not needed
27 May 2014
Turn off appliances – don’t just leave them on standby
27 May 2014
instead of turning on the lights at bed time use your mobile phone the light from that helps you see in the dark
27 May 2014
use coupons to save on shopping money
27 May 2014
Meal plan for the week ahead then when you do your shopping you only buy what you need – no wasted food or money.
27 May 2014
Make sure you do not leave things on standby
27 May 2014
Switch of lights when you walk out of the room.
27 May 2014
Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth and save a lot of water!?
27 May 2014
Family calendar night after dinner on a Sunday- Everyone, contributes lists and grievances aired. From watches that need repairing to who spent more than 4 minutes in the shower… Any new innovations shared whether it was learned at school or read about in the paper.This way everyone takes ownership and responsibility for the eco- running of the house.
27 May 2014
When you bake something in the oven, put a potato on the shelf next to it. That can be tomorrow’s lunch! Baked potato with whatever leftovers you have :)
27 May 2014
Turn everything off
27 May 2014
When cooking pasta or rice, boil the amount needed in the kettle rather than in the pan. Much quicker and saves energy!
27 May 2014
Don’t fill your kettle right up every time – just boil the amount of water you need
27 May 2014
when using the oven i cook various foods to use in the week,don’t put oven on to cook one food item
27 May 2014
use energy effiecient light bulbs
27 May 2014
The weekly food shop is getting more and more expensive… When I first moved out on my own over ten years ago – a tub of butter 500gr was round about 70p – now you’re looking at £2-2.50 for the same amount! When I realised food was one of the most expensive necessities I decided that I would change the way I shopped. My best tip is look at price per 100gr (to get the best deal), shop for a well planned weekly menu so you only buy the things you need, and try new recipes, with ingredients that are inexpensive and also, try value ranges – the simple stuff is really good!
27 May 2014
I put all my loose change in a jar it soon adds up
27 May 2014
Dry washing outdoors or on an indoor airer wherever possible. The tumble dryer is one of the biggest users of energy.
27 May 2014
turn the lights off in a room when you’re not in it!!
27 May 2014
Eat together whenever possible as it saves gas and electicity to prepare one large meal rather than several spread out.
27 May 2014
Slow cookers make meals for pence!
27 May 2014
Switch everything off as soon as you stop using it!!
27 May 2014
Definitely meal plan, also cook in the slow cooker as much as possible as it uses little electricity.
27 May 2014
Look out for offers in shops and stock up with items on offer.
27 May 2014
Turn off chargers at the mains switch. They continue to use power even when they are not connected to a phone or tablet
27 May 2014
Turn off chargers at the mains switch. They continue to use power even when they are not connected to a phone or tablet.
Note to mod – please delete my previous post. I put my email address where my name should be. Ooops.
27 May 2014
do all the little things they soon add up
27 May 2014
Turn the oven off ten minutes before cooking has ended.
27 May 2014
When cooking meals make more than needed and freeze meals to save time and energy for another time
27 May 2014
turn the lights out when not using tham and go shopping when you have eaten
27 May 2014
Remember just because its cheap doesn’t always mean its a bargain
27 May 2014
Ovens take a lot of time to heat up – so see if you can cook multiple things at once (e.g. tomorrow night’s dinner, some baking) along with what you’re cooking to save energy!
27 May 2014
Always unplug or switch things off from the plug sockets as every little bit is important. Also try adding a layer like a jumper instead of switching the heating on or up :)
27 May 2014
It should be obvious but turn off the lights during the day, turn off the appliances you’re not using and turn down the heating. Simples.
27 May 2014
Just planting small amounts of herbs and salad leaves on a window cill is great during the summer months for cheap sustenance! Packs of prewashed salad leaves are so overpriced and always used to get chucked in our house
27 May 2014
When running the tap through to get hot water I collect what would normally be wasted to water the garden.
27 May 2014
If possible try and replace old white goods like fridges,washing machines and boilers. The difference will show in the long term.
27 May 2014
Never leave things on stand by always switch off at the mains
28 May 2014
Whenever you turn the oven on to cook tea – do a bit of baking as well, save turning it on separately :-) x
27 May 2014
freeze left over food it can sometimes make two extra meals a week!
27 May 2014
invest in a slow cooker. It uses the energy of a lightbulb and you can also use cheaper cuts of meat to produce tasty dishes
27 May 2014
When you boil a kettle of water to make tea, put what’s left into a flask and keep it at the side of the kettle. You’ll find there’s enough hot water to make your tea for the rest of the day and will save you quite a bit on electricity!
27 May 2014
I only use energy saving light bulbs and limit it to 2 bulbs downstairs and 3 up stairs so if you need to use a light in you room you have to use one from another room making sure we dont look like Blackpool illuminations all the time.
27 May 2014
Borrow the other half’s onesie (yes the pink leopard print one) and leave the heating off
27 May 2014
reminding the kids to turn the lights off !!
27 May 2014
Make sure you don’t leave electrical items on standby & unplug things like mobile phones as soon as they’ve fully charged
27 May 2014
Always swtich everything of when you have finished!
27 May 2014
Don’t leave your laptop/phone/tablet on charge all the time! It actually causes your battery to run out sooner and uses tons of energy :)
27 May 2014
Put the washing machine and dishwashers on overnight to make use of cheaper energy rates (if on a dual rate tariff)
27 May 2014
when useing the oven cook a few meals for the week
27 May 2014
I do a monthly meal planner and 1 big shop a month, then top up on fresh things weekly saves me a small fortune.
27 May 2014
avoid using the tumble dryer wherever possible hang out your laundry!
27 May 2014
Always switch off things when you have finished with them.
27 May 2014
wear an extra jumper
27 May 2014
Invest in a battery charger . I bought one that takes AA and AAA batteries , bought rechargable batteries from Poundland and my boys use them all the time for their games controllers . I have literally saved hundreds of pounds not having to keep buying new batteries .
27 May 2014
have an energy usage monitor somewhere visible and watch for any sudden spikes in electricity usage. Investigate these as they will show what items around the house use the most energy. Once you know, you can decide how best to use them.
27 May 2014
Turn those phone/device chargers off at the switch
27 May 2014
Just try and last a few minutes longer before putting the heating on
27 May 2014
Keeping internal doors closed keeps the warmth in the rooms you spend most time in.
27 May 2014
When putting something in the oven to cook, try to use any spare space to cook other items (eg cakes) at the same time so that you get the maximum use out of the energy used.
27 May 2014
Leave the oven door open on when the grill has been turned off – loads of heat escapes into the room!
27 May 2014
Slow cookers are brilliant – they use up very little energy and you can cook such a variety of meals in them! Plus they save time and washing up — less to go in the dishwasher too, so less energy used in that way!
27 May 2014
Make double quantiles in slow cooker and freeze a portion!
28 May 2014
Do all your washing and tumble drying late at night when electricity is cheasper
28 May 2014
Turn the heating off when you have the oven or tumble drier on
28 May 2014
Chuck a blanket over yourself when chilling instead of putting the heating on.
28 May 2014
my little girl is amazing she is always telling us off for leaving lights or plugs on!!! she draws the line at sharing a bath with her little sister though as she wees in it!!!! haha
28 May 2014
Save time and stock up if you are going to use your oven, bake a few meals at a time to get the most out of having your oven on.
28 May 2014
Switch things off! especially heating x
28 May 2014
Dont just cook one thing in the oven, fill it up as much as you can ie baked potatoes for lunches etc things that can be reheated for other meals or throw in some quick cakes :) saves time, energy and money.
28 May 2014
Only use enough water for what you need in the kettle
x
28 May 2014
use a quick wash on your washing machine
28 May 2014
I always try to shop when they are doing the reductions so that I can put all the bargains in the freezer to use another day. It saves me a fortune.
I also love to use Freecycle give & take days as then I recycle all my good unwanted stuff in one go and come home with one or two useful things that I would like too and all for nothing!
28 May 2014
invest in a slow cooker. It uses the energy of a lightbulb and you can also use cheaper cuts of meat to produce tasty dishes
28 May 2014
When you put your heating, turn your thermostat down a couple of degree’s you won’t notice the difference. Invest in some LED bulbs in no time at all these will pay for themselves and you will notice how much your bill’s come down.
28 May 2014
1 Use coupons & discount vouchers when shopping. 2 Be a more canny shopper – for example, loose bananas are cheaper than a bagged pack of bananas. 3 Buy in bulk when you can as there are bigger savings to be made (as long as it is items you need and use – dont get carried away!) 4 Recycle – join local freecycle sites; one mans junk is another mans treasure! 5 Call your tv suppliers and negotiate a discount (Sky cut my bill when I did this!) 6 Even if you cant afford a holiday take days out; there are plenty of good Museums that are free! 7 If you have one, get a residents card, which usually offers local savings. 8 Paint radiators Black first as well as put foil behind them before putting on a radiator cover as it will absorb and retain heat for longer.
28 May 2014
My mantra is put a jumper on if your cold. I refuse to put the heating on if people are complaining of being cold, but just wearing a t-shirt.
28 May 2014
Only fill the kettle with the water you need and refill straight away so that next time the water is at room temperature.
28 May 2014
When cooking veg use just enough water to cover them,it won’t take as long to bring them to the boil
28 May 2014
Check your finances, make sure you have the best deals for loans, mortgages, credit cards, energy suppliers – by using price comparison websites and switching suppliers regularly. This can save you a lot of money each month. Also try to get a current account which gives you cash back when you spend on every day things such as supermarket shopping & petrol/diesel.
28 May 2014
Only fill the kettle to the amount you need dont fill to the top and waste water a d energy. Alao swith plugs off at walls be safe pull them out aswell
28 May 2014
Pad out casseroles with cheap and seasonal vegetables and then once its cooked (and if its safe to do so) leave the oven door slightly ajar in order to use the residual heat to warm the kitchen…
28 May 2014
Don’t use your tumble unless its emergency. Use Airing Cupboard instead. Costs nothing.
28 May 2014
Think of energy (gas,electric and water) as NON sustainable, in other words…when its gone its GONE.
28 May 2014
Turn the heating down by just two degrees it makes a big difference and if you start with one degree lower for a few days first you’ll not notice it.
28 May 2014
get some one else to do your chores
28 May 2014
When its cold, wear an extra layer and turn down the heating ;)
28 May 2014
Always switch off lights, tv, computer, radio etc when there is no-one in the room. Seems obvious, but I bet most people have left something on and then been distracted by something else.
28 May 2014
run dishwashers and washing machines during the night to save money
29 May 2014
Good idea, but you need to be on economy7 to make any savings
28 May 2014
Turn the central heating down by one degree
28 May 2014
Use energy saver light bulbs and turn off switches when not in use :)
28 May 2014
When you’ve finished using the oven leave the door open after it’s turned off to recycle the heat out onto the house.
28 May 2014
Always switch things off at the plug – and turn off lights!!
28 May 2014
Spend 10 to 15 pounds total on thick long socks or tights, scarf, and a good thick long cardigan,last two items bought from charity shop. Put on maybe 1 hour before you would normaly switch on your heating,you could now probably also turn your thermostat down a little bit. works for me,hope this helps some one else.
28 May 2014
mine is turn everything of at the mains when you finished with it
28 May 2014
Flush the toilet as infrequently as possible to save money and water
28 May 2014
If its not in use switch it off
28 May 2014
Turn computers off when not using them or use Hibernate rather than Standby
28 May 2014
Save time & energy on a morning, do everything you need to do in each room you visit, this stops you running backwards and forwards from room to room. It takes a little thought but with practice it can be done!
28 May 2014
Don’t put hot food in a fridge or a freezer.
Always use a full load in a washing machine.
Only fill the kettle with as much water as you actually need.
28 May 2014
wash your clothes at night & do ironing cheaper. I charge my phone then too & while i am on laptop.
when cooking i make extra portions for freezer so no need to cook from scratch at different times.
i make a shopping list of my food things as i used to buy too much and then ended up in the bin
28 May 2014
I purchased reflective panels that slot behind the radiators. They stop the heat disappearing through the walls and bounce it back into the room, meaning that it stays warmer for longer and you can turn the thermostat down!
28 May 2014
Put a jumper on rather than putting the heating on
28 May 2014
Buy wholefoods in bulk from your whoefood cash and carry
28 May 2014
Turn the wifi box off when you know you won’t be using the internet, like when you go to bed.
28 May 2014
Look online for the best offers at different supermarkets x
28 May 2014
Have a shower instead of a bath, use less water!
28 May 2014
only boil the water you need when making hot drinks
28 May 2014
Instead of using a tumble dryer invest in a dehumidifier…not only will it dry your clothes but it will also help cure any dampness within your home and remove condensation from your windows and walls ! As a bonus it also creates warmth ! So satisfying to empty the water collected chamber ..you’ll be surprised at the amount !
28 May 2014
Put a big jumper on instead of turning up the heating.
28 May 2014
never leave lights on or equipment on standby
28 May 2014
Use energy saving light bulbs ans turn the central heating down by 2 degrees
28 May 2014
Use energy saver light bulbs and turn off switches when not in use, also use white appliances at night to save energy.
28 May 2014
Unplug chargers when they are not in use
28 May 2014
Turn everything off when not in use, wash clothes at night & turn lights off
28 May 2014
use the washing line not the tumble dryer when ever possible
28 May 2014
LIVE IN A TENT
28 May 2014
shower rather than a bath saves water and energy :)
28 May 2014
We only have the water heated 2 hours a day and at least 2 people use the same bath water!
28 May 2014
I always use a double colander pan on the gas for dinner, so potatoes/rice go in the bottom and two tiers of vegetables on top. OR if you’re steaming something like salmon steaks, they can go in one of the upper pans (in foil if you want to add butter and herbs). Whole meal cooked on one burner – got to be energy saving!
28 May 2014
We only heat our water 2 hours per day and at least 2 of us share the same bath water!
28 May 2014
Turn everything off at the mains
28 May 2014
only boil enough water for your need
28 May 2014
Clean the washing machine by putting it on a spin cycle whilst empty once a month it saves time and money from having to reload any washing should it get dirty when it’s on a full wash.
28 May 2014
Only boil enough water for one cup x
28 May 2014
Use energy efficient light bulbs.
28 May 2014
Use the cooker less … did you know a slow cooker costs the same as a light bulb to run?
28 May 2014
I put a brick in my loo cistern, use energy saving light bulbs, recycle everything, take my old stuff to charity shop and do most of my washing at 30! :)
28 May 2014
Whenever there is good weather, hang out the washing. Not only is it cheaper than using the tumble dryer it will smell lovely too.
28 May 2014
Don’t leave TV on standby, turn it off
28 May 2014
Turn off anything you are not using, and teach your kids to do the same !
28 May 2014
double up on your cooking when making stews, casseroles etc and freeze half for another day.
28 May 2014
turn off lights :)
28 May 2014
Insulate your house
28 May 2014
Put the heating on timer
28 May 2014
Use a Haybox/ heat box when cooking thinks that need a long cook ie: cassseroles stews soups etc. Bring them to a boil ie hot as possible in a pot with tight lid and pop into a haybox or heat box or failing that a storage box you have lined with towels and pillows coverup the top with a thick layer of pillows and towels or an old duvet if usinf so the pot is covered all around like it is in its very own cacoon and leave alone for the rest of the day while you get on with other things ie work or other unpleasent things and when you get back your meal will be cooked and still warm saving on the long cook time in the oven.
28 May 2014
Use energy saver light bulbs,turn off anything you are not using dont leave things on standby
28 May 2014
Invest in a waterbutt for watering house and garden plants or hanging baskets…it doesn’t have to be expensive, even a large plastic bucket from a discount store will do the trick.
Dilute one-third of good quality liquid cleaners with two-thirds of water into an spray bottle to use for lighter cleaning jobs.
If your children get pocket-money, encourage them to place 50p in a jar for each session they have on their consoles or laptops…it’s a good way to start them thinking about energy costs.
28 May 2014
Never leave anything on standby. And wash at a lower temperature as you’ll use less energy.
28 May 2014
Remeber to turn things off, just turning the TV and bits off at the wall every night can save you nearly £50 a year! Apply that to showers and laptops and the savings can be huge!
28 May 2014
Train your kids to be savvy about turning lights off – my four year old thinks it a great game to point out when we have left the lights on and turn them off.
28 May 2014
Unplug or turn everything off when not in use
28 May 2014
wash your hair in cold water
28 May 2014
turn everything off when not at home
28 May 2014
turn things off at night
28 May 2014
Educate your children from a very early age so they automatically switch lights off when leaving a room, unplug electrical appliances and not put clothes in wash basket if only worn briefly and not dirty.
28 May 2014
Turn off all items that tend to get left on standby especially over night like tv, dvd players, laptops etc. It’s the LittleStuff that counts ;-)
29 May 2014
Turn off your oven 5 minutes before the foods done and itll still be completely cooked! After you take it out, leave the oven door open for free heating!
28 May 2014
We use a lot of hot water bottles on a daily basis & I always re-use the water from the bottles once cooled & put it back into the kettle to use again we do have another kettle though just for the hot water bottle water as a cup of tea would taste yucky!
28 May 2014
Take a quick, refreshing two-minute shower instead of a long bath.
28 May 2014
Share baths – can be tons of fun with your partner.
28 May 2014
Turn appliances off rather than leaving them on standby.
28 May 2014
Most boilers have an option for timer for heating and hot water and for just hot water on its own.
If yours is like this turn the timer off as you don’t need to have it set for just the hot water, as it only takes a couple of minutes for the water to heat up and the boiler to kick in so as and when you know you want the hot water just pop the boiler on, finish doing your chores etc and then use the water when needed for shower / bath etc. This way, you’re not using electricity to heat water during the summer months when its not actually being needed, and same for the heating, whilst its nice to have the heating on do we really need it during the spring and summer months – just pop a cardigan or sweater on as it does the same job and is a lot cheaper.
28 May 2014
batch cook and freeze, saves time, money and energy :)
28 May 2014
slowly turn down the heating
28 May 2014
Turn down the thermostat by a few degrees, your body wont notice it but your bank balance and the earth will!also don’t keep anything on standby, turn it off totally if you’re not using it.
28 May 2014
Put a jumper and a pair of socks on in the house, when its cold, they make you feel so much warmer, stopping you from putting the heating on!
28 May 2014
buy some nice pegs and hang your clothes outside to dry when the weather allows, they always smell so much frsher
28 May 2014
Turn everything off at the plug when not in use, unplug chargers once charged
28 May 2014
The way i have started saving a lot of money is by using my slow cooker and halogen oven. First off the slow cooker runs at 1p per hour a price that cant be beaten compared to other ovens/products. Then it means i can bulk meals out with pulses, veggies and cheaper cuts of meat meaning the meal is cheaper as a whole. It also means when it comes to washing up i save water and time because its just one big dish rather than lots of pots and pans, and the biggest thing for me, i dont have to spend hours cleaning the oven!
28 May 2014
Use scrunched up newspaper to fill empty spaces in the freezer
28 May 2014
Switch everything off when you’re not using… even routers and chargers etc!
28 May 2014
Do not put food in the fridge or freezer until it compeltetly cold and keep hot appliances aways form the fridge or frezze or they will have to work harder, and use more energyu, to keep things cold or to freeze them
28 May 2014
I make large batches of soup, stews, casseroles etc in slow cooker then freeze in batches and defrost as needed & warm up in microwave, saves time and money
28 May 2014
Switch lights off when you leave a room.
28 May 2014
Don’t fill your kettle right up every time – just boil the amount of water you need.
29 May 2014
switch lights off when your not in the room and try that extra hour without the heating on youll soon find most of the time that hour was fine without.
29 May 2014
turn lights off when you leave the room
29 May 2014
Turn pans and/or oven off 5 minutes before the end of cooking time. The water in pans or the oven heat will still be hot enough to finish the cooking process. Even just 5 minutes a day adds up to over 2 hours energy saved each month.
29 May 2014
Lights off when you leave a room – it’s a myth that they use loads of energy to ‘start up’ – see the Mythbusters!
29 May 2014
Energy saving lightbulbs made a big difference to our bills and its better for the environment x
29 May 2014
put foils behind your radiators to bounce head back into the room, rather than being absorbed through the walls
29 May 2014
I always switch the lights off. I never have the water running when brushing me or the kids teeth, I use the dishwater to water the plants outside to save on water. I compost most of my food when possible. I only ever put the water needed in the kettle.
29 May 2014
Always switch off lights and electricals when not in use!
29 May 2014
Instead of heating the whole bedroom, I like to use an electric blanket! :)
29 May 2014
I’m on a water meter. I put a washing up bowl in bath when I turn shower on till water heats up. I then use that water for watering plants or even flushing loo!!
29 May 2014
Teach the children to be energy efficient too, and then you’ll be more effective as a family in saving energy :)
29 May 2014
Put draught excluders around your garage door!
29 May 2014
I agree with everyone who suggests trying to go an hour longer without the heating on. Warm clothes and blankets might help!
29 May 2014
turn off all the appliances that yo uare now using and don’t leave them on standby, especially the light on the microwave!
29 May 2014
Never leave appliances on standby and turn that thermostat down :)
29 May 2014
I have two lights in my bathroom, the main one and one over the sink. Turning the main one on also turns the fan on. Unless I am taking a shower or bath, I use the other one to avoid running the fan unnecessarily. Every little helps.
29 May 2014
Put a jacket on the water tank it makes a difference to bills.
29 May 2014
Turning off the microwave at the mians switch after use can save over £20 in bills a year.
29 May 2014
Energy saving light bulbs are great for the home.
Me and my friends pass children clothes down to save us all money as children’s clothes can be expensive.x
29 May 2014
Make use of your energy supplier. They might be able to give you loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and possibly a free replacement boiler. Some companies are now fitting energy consumption monitors so you can see in real time how much its costing you to run that tumble dryer.
29 May 2014
Disconnect all appliances that are not in use, it’s surprising how much power the standby functions use, and it obviously helps to turn lights off if the room isn’t being used
29 May 2014
when cooking rice or pasta place in a saucepan with boiled water and switch off the hob to leave to cook slowly. you’ll use a lot less energy that way
29 May 2014
Don’t forget to turn your electrical items like TVs off at the mains to avoid using electricity while you’re out. Apparently they use 90% of the electricity that they normally use when they’re on!
29 May 2014
Wrap up in layers of warm clothes, particularly those that are for skiing or outdoors activities as they’ll hold the heat. Putting a hot water bottle on your feet can also warm you up if you’re feeling cold and you can perhaps avoid having to turn the fire on or the radiator on/up.
29 May 2014
Change all your lights to led and you will save a fortune
29 May 2014
Three tips.
1. Use cold water in the washing machine – you can put most colours in together (except red and white).
2. Have old water pipes? Boil a jug of water for small amounts of hot water in the kitchen & bathroom. Old pipes use up lots of energy.
3. Turn the WiFi or Broadband off at night. It keeps you awake and uses lots of energy.
29 May 2014
Only heat your water for an hour in the morning and evening .
29 May 2014
Spend more family time outside… saves lots of energy… turn of the ipads, ipods, and other gadgets and just spend time together at the park, walking in the forest, any where.
29 May 2014
Leave the oven door open after cooking to let the heat warm your kitchen
29 May 2014
Save money by turning off the power supply,to all items left on stand by.
29 May 2014
If your freezer isn’t full with food use pieces of polystyrene or the smaller polystyrene packaging put into freezer bags to fill the spaces so that your freezer isn’t wasting energy cooling the gaps.
29 May 2014
Turn off the power devices which do not use at the moment. Washing machine and dishwasher set to a lower temperature.
29 May 2014
Put on a jumper and thick socks or slippers when you feel a bit cold, rather than put the heating on.
29 May 2014
Apart from low energy or LED lightbulbs, just switch things off.
ALSO:
Stop giving your time and energy to people who drain you. That’s honestly the best thing ever. People who drag you down and tire you out with their dramas aren’t needed frankly. Cut them off. Sounds selfish, but so are they for making their dramas yours.
29 May 2014
Always turn the lights off when you leave the room.
29 May 2014
Make sure you turn everything off when not in use.
29 May 2014
Leaving chargers (for laptops, phones etc.) on when they’re not charging anything is hugely wasteful. It’s good practice to turn everything off at the plug if it’s not in use – particularly if it feels hot to the touch when in use. One of the other good ones to switch off at the plug is the microwave as it has lots of lights (if you don’t mind the clock re-setting!). These tips are also good for fire safety!
29 May 2014
Always have your boiler serviced yearly as a efficient boiler definitely saves money.
29 May 2014
Turn off lights when you leave a room and change light bulbs to energy efficient ones.
29 May 2014
Having a dishwasher has saved me hours and hours!
29 May 2014
Always write a list of things to achieve every day that way you don’t waste time
29 May 2014
Only boil as much water as you need rather then filling the whole kettle full :-)
29 May 2014
make sure all switches are off rather than on standby.
29 May 2014
Try putting something in the oven alongside what you’re cooking for that evening and reheating it later on so you don’t have to heat up the oven twice!
29 May 2014
make sure you dont keep your phone/ipad/laptop by your bed at night. worrying or checking on things will keep you awake and cause you to lose sleep
29 May 2014
Solar panels
29 May 2014
Turn lights off when leaving a room, or use dimmer switches.
Only boil enough water for what you need.
Take showers instead of baths.
Turn appliances off at night and don’t leave on standby
Keep doors closed in winter to keep heating in.
Put aluminium foil behind radiators to deflect the heat into the room and not heat the wall!
29 May 2014
i bought a mini greenhouse which i keep outside my back door. In there, I grow salad leaves and herbs which saves me buying them.
29 May 2014
I have saved a fortune by not leaving my storage heaters on at all (even overnight on white meter) and only switching heaters on when needed. Once the room is warm, the heater is switched off and the residual heat keeps everything warm for a while longer for free! I have got my entire fuel bill (including cooking and washing machine etc) to less than £10 per week for a 2 bed house.
29 May 2014
Turn off everything on standby, turn your heating thermostat down a degree or two – you won’t notice the difference and it will save a lot,
29 May 2014
use a slow cooker to make delicious meals with using a lot of energy, you could even make large amounts and freeze to have later.
29 May 2014
Walk instead of driving, whenever possible.
29 May 2014
Turn off any unnecessary lights and electrical items. Have draught excluder’s on doors to help keep cold out. Wash clothes at 30oc. make sure you have adequate loft insulation. Change light bulbs to low energy.
29 May 2014
If your freezer is half empty you’re wasting electricity, loaves of bread are good space fillers
29 May 2014
buy a log/wood burner
29 May 2014
turn the heating down, wear extra clothes
29 May 2014
Do not have the heating on and then open the windows because it is too hot!! turn down the thermostat or better still, turn it off!! close doors conversely to keep warmth inside. :)
29 May 2014
Always switch off appliances by the wall when going out or at night. Even if it saves only a few pennies not having everything on standby its got to be worth it
29 May 2014
You can get smart phone apps now that can set your heating and water if you are late getting home
29 May 2014
It has got to be a Sunday (a day of your choice really), full day of prepping meals for me. Sometimes I portion out smoothies for the week and freeze them, ready for when I am, down to family sized, or individual portions.I always cook more than I need, So whether I make a stir fry or lasagne, there is always a meal to grab, for those either, tired rushed, or just fancy a lazy day.
29 May 2014
Buy from the reduced to clear section
29 May 2014
Only use dishwashers and tumble dryers as a luxury!
29 May 2014
After baking or roasting foods make sure you wash up tins before the oven cools down. Once washed, place the wet tins in the oven. Saves time on drying, saves wetting a tea towel, and the dry heat of the oven dries tins completely, ensuring that they don’t rust and so prolonging their lifespan. Saves time as tins are not hand dried, saves unnecessary washing and drying tea towels and saves money on replacing tins more often. Win, win, win!!!
29 May 2014
Only have the radiators on in the rooms you want to heat.
30 May 2014
Never turn the heating off completely, just regulate by using the thermostat
30 May 2014
unplug your phone chargers after use, not a huge thing to do but it’s amazing how much electricity they sap when still plugged into the wall.
30 May 2014
Always eat at someone else’s house ,and save a fortune on shopping bills! And heating costs! …..have a one foot square piece of carpet glued to your slippers,that way you needn’t carpet the whole house!
30 May 2014
Keep the freezer full, it works much more efficiently and therefore uses less energy plus, you can fill up space by freezing leftovers to use at a later date rather than throwing them away.
30 May 2014
My best energy saving tips is to put tinfoil at the back of all your radiators so that the heat which goes out of the back of the radiator is reflected back in which means you can turn your thermostat down and save a fortune
30 May 2014
Heat your water, then turn it off and heat again when you’ve ran out. Usually 3 days later fir 2 of us showering. Bill down from £50 a month to £5 in summer months. And bbq food over summer contributes to this bill being so low.
30 May 2014
Switch your bulbs to low energy as and when you can.
30 May 2014
Right guys, this may be a little right wing but these are my suggestions, which will save you guys a ton of cash:
– Charge all devices at your place of work. For instance charge your mobile phone, tablets etc whilst you are in at work. NOT illegal.
– Take home milk from work that will not get consumed before expiring.
– Ask your employer if you can take second hand gear no longer required such as tech items, furniture, clothes(ok maybe not).
– Make phone calls to pay your bills from work to avoid those 0844, 0870 charges.
– Stay at work for longer.
– Take home a toilet roll every other day from your place of work. OK maybe illegal!
30 May 2014
Use a timer for the heating so it’s not on all the time and make sure you put TV completely off and not on standby.
30 May 2014
Pour water into cups then pour that back into the kettle (plus a tiny bit extra for steam loss) – that way you don’t boil more than you need.
30 May 2014
Always have a full load in the washing machine and use a biological liquid as you can get clothes washed at low temperatures saving you money and energy
30 May 2014
A lot of electricity is wasted by boiling too much water when making hot drinks. Put left over boiled water into a vacuum flask ready for the next drink that you make and you will save lots of money over a year.
30 May 2014
If you have a gas cooker try using a stove top kettle instead of an electric one.
When you think about it kettles have a big wattage. Also when you generate electricity from burning stuff such as gas around 50% is lost. Gas is burnt to heat water to make steam for a turbine to make electricity, 50% of the energy makes it into electricity the remainder is lost. So when using gas straight to heat your water direct it should be a bit cheaper and you are also helping the environment and the grid out a bit too.
PS peak annual electricity use is around 3pm on Christmas day when people put the kettle on.
2 June 2014
Save money by turning the heating off. We nearly ran out of oil on one occasion, 8 years ago, and due to the bad weather couldn’t get any for 2 weeks. No oil = no heating or hot water. We turned off the heating and kept hot water. We never turned the heating back on. My current house only has a small open fire in one room, and no heating. We all have hot water bottles to go to bed with and have extra blankets on the beds. My children (aged 4 and 7 when we first turned off the heating) hardly ever get colds, rarely ail anything and walk around in shorts and t.shirts for far longer than their friends
30 May 2014
Only fill the kettle as much as you need. It uses loads of energy!
30 May 2014
Keep busy to keep warm. If you sit still you’ll feel the cold and be tempted to turn the heating up. Get moving and you’ll soon warm up, you’ll also get those jobs done you’ve been putting off!
30 May 2014
If you’re cooking make more or cook 2 meals while the oven’s on.
30 May 2014
Perfect if you live on your own. Simply reheat the 2nd meal the day after!
30 May 2014
Batch cook, this saves time and money! We make a large batch of e.g. bolognese which can be tweaked into cottage pie or lasagne. Also by adding grated carrot it bulks the mince out and therefore makes it go further! If you have a slow cooker using that to cook saves even more time and our is cheaper to run than our hob..
30 May 2014
I put left over water, into the watering can. Then use it for the plants.
30 May 2014
Save the peelings from potatoes, carrots etc in a bag in the freezer, when you want to make vegetable stock, you can throw them in and boil them down.
Save used butter wrappers in a bag in the fridge, then use them when you need to grease a pan.
30 May 2014
I bath my 1 & 3yr old together and after I get in for a bath. We all get topped n tailed in the morning rather than full shower.
Washing clothes that have been worn but aren’t ‘dirty’ is a waste of water, electric and detergent. These clothes go on a rinse of softener only.
30 May 2014
Have date night with candles once a week!
30 May 2014
Putting lids on saucepans!
30 May 2014
I always tidy up as I go along so things never get too bad. If I’m going downstairs I’ll make sure I take any washing, water glasses, empty loo rolls to be recycled (always emptying any undrunk water into a window box to save time watering later!) and if I’m going upstairs I’ll take anything waiting in the basket on the bottom step. Time is so precious!
30 May 2014
Limit how long you shower for
3 June 2014
And put the plug in if you have an over the bath type shower. Then recycle the water for plants, rinsing the yard or, in my case, scrubbing the patio where my hens live! You can also pop the pooch in for a bath if it’s small enough.
30 May 2014
I have saved time and money by investing in a little timer for the shower-with teenagers having showers in the morning before school i set it for 5 minutes each and that’s how long they get!!Its cut down on them lingering for hot showers,saves me water,heat and the arguments over who’s taking too long.
30 May 2014
If you have a range cooker, remember the cast iron tops retain the heat a lot longer than cooker rings would. So turn the gas off and leave a lid on towards the end of the cooking time and your veg will turn out perfect stil but you’ve used less energy.
30 May 2014
Excluding draughts
30 May 2014
use the washing line instead of the dryer on the sunny days it will save lots in electric
30 May 2014
When boiling vegetables – especially potatoes, I always switch off the heat 5 minutes before they are fully cooked. Leave them in the hot water for 5 mins and they are cooked perfectly! Five minutes of gas, on 2 or 3 rings, every evening is a big saving over a year!
30 May 2014
When cooking turn the oven & rings of 5/10 minutes before you want to dish up as things will carry on cooking. Invest in a steamer so you can cook veg etc on one ring instead of 3 or four. Turn of devices that are plugged in instead of leaving them on stand by.
30 May 2014
When the house gets chilly and I need to warm up I work on the ironing pile. Ironing seems to warm me and the room up quite quickly.
30 May 2014
lay the breakfast table the night before, set the childrens clothes out ready for then to make the morning easier, you will find the day starts in a more relaxed way saving you time and energy.
30 May 2014
On raining days If I have to use a tumble dryer then I put in a dry towel in the dryer along with the other wet washing as it helps to dry the other clothes quicker and therefore saves time and energy
30 May 2014
When the previous tenants had cable installed there was a huge gap in the wall where the installer drilled through. I stuffed plastic bags to stop the draft. Toasty warm living room now!
30 May 2014
We now use our slow cooker and microwave/combi oven rather than the main oven as they are more energy efficient. I’ve joined a slow cooker Facebook group which has been a massive soucre of recipes. It also is a great time saver as you can just throw the food in first thing in the morning and go out and forget about it. Winner all round :-)
30 May 2014
Fill up your watering can with your bath water to water grass and flowers, no one will ever know and it saves using the hose
30 May 2014
we turn all the plugs off after we have finished using them
30 May 2014
Reuse your pie foils, wash them use them as a lid for your food stops your food from burning especially your pies x
30 May 2014
When cooking, use your water cleverly: Put any washing-up in the sink as you go and when you drain any veggies, rice or pasta, drain them over the washing-up. This way you use your water and energy used to heat the water twice. You also save more water/energy because you’ve now part washed items that may now only need a quick rinse later. You can also leave items with baked on food to soak in this water. When you come to wash-up later, half of it’s already done and you save time as well!
30 May 2014
Switch off all plugs after using them as they still take up loads of energy!
30 May 2014
Bulk cooking and freezing ‘ready meals’ for other evenings is definitely my best way of saving time, money and energy.
30 May 2014
Make sure to never pour boiling water into glass.
30 May 2014
It may sound simple but don’t put heating on too early instead wear more layers. My mum used to always say it- put a jumper on!
30 May 2014
Never put just one slice of bread in the toaster, you can eat the leftover toast cold with Tahini which I find delicious.
30 May 2014
I’ve been encouraging my 4 year old to save energy. He’s now great at turning the TV off when he’s not watching it, and checks he’s turned the hot tap off properly after washing hands.
30 May 2014
Pardon the pun but it’s all the little stuff that adds up, turning down thermostats, only boiling enough water in your kettle but I think I have a good idea. Visit people more whether it’s just checking in on neighbours or your family. Even befriending older people in homes or sheltered housing. You’ll cheer all these people up, feel great get excercise and if your not in the house as much your not using as much energy! Everyone wins!
30 May 2014
Do you know if your rainwater run-off drains to the mains sewer or to a ground soakaway? If the latter you can get a rebate from your water authority. Simply contact them and apply. They will tell you what they need to know. In my case it was address and when the house was built (1989). One might suppose that all houses built since then, and probably before, drain to ground. I saved over £30 per year. You can’t back-date your claim. Good luck.
30 May 2014
Save extra hot water left over from boiling kettle, store in a thermos flask and use the next time you make a cup of tea. Anyone for a brew?!
30 May 2014
When making spaghetti bolognese/chilli/shepherds pie etc, I use a large wok or stock pot and use a kilo of mince at a time, combined with a range of fresh veggies (grated so the kids/other half will eat them!- courgette/carrot/mushrooms/celery/peppers). We tend to end up with atleast 3 meals worth- one for the night and the rest for the freezer. Perfect for a work night!
30 May 2014
Turn your thermostat off (turn wheel to lowest if not possible to turn off) from April to October. This won’t stop the water being heated but will stop the radiators coming on when you’re all tucked up sound asleep during the wee hours.
30 May 2014
Turn lights off when you leave the room and most importantly teach your children the importance of this too.
2 June 2014
when a light is turned on it consumes 3 hrs worth of electricity as if it was on, be smart when turning lights on and off, if using the room for couple of hours do not switch light off every time you leave, just imagine the faulty street lights or strip lights flickering, each time is 3hrs worth gone
30 May 2014
Bake whilst you are using the oven to cook dinner using the other shelves whilst the oven is on
30 May 2014
Save money on your weekly shop by eating veggie for a couple of days a week. Better for your health too!
30 May 2014
In Winter, pop a jumper on rather than the radiator. It saved me just over £200 last year!
30 May 2014
Use your washing machine on a lower temp setting & load it correctly for each cycle.
30 May 2014
Consider cooking some of your meals in a slow cooker rather than a conventional oven. It uses only a third in electric eg. A stew cooked in a conventional oven for an hour costs about 30p in electric. A deliciously slow cooked stew In the slow cooker for 8 hours costs about 10p.
Not only that but you could make double and freeze half too.
You’ll be surprised what can be cooked in the slow cooker including, bread, cakes, your Sunday Roast ( it’s so tender). The list is endless and with them being one pot meals you’ll also be saving yourself some time :)
30 May 2014
Don’t throw away soft fruit and vegetables. Use to make stock with vegetables, or freeze if you can’t do the same day. Then you can make soups and stocks with them. It doesn’t matter then that they are mushy.
With fruit if it is going soft, make a fruit cocktail with a pint of heated water, or a squirt of lemon juice and brown sugar heated in the pan and poured over the fruit.
30 May 2014
when making a cuppa boil the whole kettle then put any unused water into a thermos flask for future cups and then you won’t have to boil the kettle for a good part of the day
also use lids on your saucepans as they will boil quicker and then simmer which uses alot less gas/electric
30 May 2014
Keep everything in good condition so when things are grown out of or not wanted they can be sold on to make money for new things!
30 May 2014
Fix a water but in your garden for watering your garden and rain water is better for your plants then tap water.
30 May 2014
Stay warm, cut costs. Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can save you as much as £60 per year
30 May 2014
Save energy and money by letting mother nature take a hand and drying your washing on the line instead of using a dryer.
30 May 2014
I do everything possible to save energy,insulation,recycling,full washing loads etc but the MOST important advice I can give individuals is to ALWAYS campaign and add your voice to push HUGE companys to save energy as they make up 10,000% of what an individual household would use energy wise so if we can make a change in our industries it stands as one MASSIVE change in energy saving,try it in your workplace/schools/local government buildings/community centres,it all adds up :) :) :)
30 May 2014
Let your kids leave home as early as possible when my son moved out my electric bill went down by half
30 May 2014
Share your bath water. Make the person who likes it hottest go first, come on, its not that yucky, unless your are a family of muddy buddies. It makes sense.
30 May 2014
have a clean out and sell off everything you dont want or need
30 May 2014
For saving money I go to the cheaper stores to buy my usual soap powder, deodorant, washing up liquid etc and have been amazed how much I’ve saved. At home we never leave anything electrical on stand by.
30 May 2014
We shower rather than having a bath and I have trained my boys to switch lights off as they leave a room!
30 May 2014
Remember to turn lights off when you leave a room.
30 May 2014
Look into having a voltage optimiser installed. They reduce the voltage in your home to around 220V to minimise the energy wasted in heat and vibration.
30 May 2014
Use the water from the condenser unit in the tumble dryer to fill the iron or water hanging baskets with.
30 May 2014
Use low energy light bulbs, they last years longer than normal light bulbs, we have them in every room in our house :) – also don’t forget to turn them off if your not using it!
30 May 2014
Turn all appliances off at the wall, use energy saving lightbulbs and if you put the heating on, turn the radiators off in the rooms you are not in
30 May 2014
this would mean you no longer have central heating in your house..Drrrrrrr Just turn the room stat down to 19 /20 deg
30 May 2014
I’d suggest using the car less for short runs; it uses 3 or 4 times as much fuel for the first couple of miles when the engine/transmission is cold. Avoid sharp acceleration, late braking and under-inflated tyres – it’s all wasted energy, which costs!
Domestic heating is a favourite target so try shaving, say, 15 minutes off the heating period at each end of the day and lower the thermostat during periods of daytime activity. See how long a tank-full of hot water will last after the ‘morning rush’; you might find it lasts all day – you may need a 20 minute boost around lunch-time – but at night aim to leave the tank with the least amount of hot water in it. i.e. draw the last bath/shower(s) after the boiler has stopped. And don’t draw water from the hot tap if you don’t really need to. Just look at the cold caught in a bowl before the hot comes through: that’s the amount of hot water left in the pipe and wasted afterwards. Try to limit the number of times the boiler starts up. Also it’s worth checking the hot tank thermostat; they are often set too high. The WHO recommend 60 C so anything over is wasted energy, but below 55 C runs the risk of ‘Legionella’ growth. The tank is most probably lagged, although an additional layer might help, but make sure that all accessible pipes are lagged as well.
Always remember, too, that £10 each week spent on ‘indulgencies’ amounts to over £500 per year – equivalent to an income rise of upwards of £650 p.a. or more before tax. And who would refuse that? My general philosophy is to look where one spends the most: that is where the savings can often most effectively be made.
I could go on but you’re probably bored by now!
30 May 2014
Turn off all appliances when not in use and all the lights too! x
30 May 2014
Turn your dishwasher off and hire your nan to wash the dishes. Generally they throw the ironing and cleaning in for free! Cheers nan!
30 May 2014
Always use a one or two steamer pan, to cook fresh or frozen vegetables, above the saucepan when cooking rice/pasta/potatoes. That way you only need to switch on one gas or electric ring to save energy. It is also healthier as it keeps all the vitamins in the vegetables and reminds you to eat some of you 5 a day!
30 May 2014
Only use the temperature that you need on the thermostat. Lower temperatures use less energy.
30 May 2014
I always plan meals ahead so not to waste food. Also making double meals so I can freeze a batch for another time.
30 May 2014
only wash up when there are enough dishes
30 May 2014
I use the water from my boiled veggies to feed the plants (once it has cooled of course!) saves money in plant food for the garden!
30 May 2014
your living room doesn’t need to be toasty warm, in winter it’s nice to snuggle up under blankets instead and have the radiator turned down low
30 May 2014
John Lewis Competition.
Go to Charity shops for new curtains for the home; new tea sets; teapots; furniture; saucepans; rugs; pictures etc. Not only will you make your home warm and cosy and spend less money you will actually be giving to charity enabling other less fortunate people to have a better life. Double whammy! Now how good does that make you feel?
30 May 2014
An oldie but a goodie – if you’re cold, don’t turn on the heating, put on a jumper, grab a blanket, and snuggle with a loved one!
30 May 2014
I find that ensuring that electrical goods that aren’t being used are switched off is a great way to save money and also encourages less tv watching as there is an additional step involved and you don’t need to just pop yourself down on the couch to start watching.
30 May 2014
Always close curtains at dusk to keep warmth in, fit them with linings or black outs and also add a draft excluder to your letterbox to stop drafts.
30 May 2014
I fold toilet roll tubes lengthways and use them to stuff empty kitchen roll tubes. They are great to use on the woodburner.
30 May 2014
I always turn off my tv and set top box at night and when not in use during the day.
30 May 2014
I have 4 children so never get time to get cold, always busy running after them. Though I get 3 of them in the bath together saves water, also cleans my bathroom floor at the same time. We use money saving lightbulbs and turn them off as we leave the room. Also everything should be turned off not left on standby saves money.
30 May 2014
Stop having a life or give all your money to the energy companies who are ripping you off.
Wear jumpers and work like a slave all your life to earn money to pay for the little you use and stay warm at home.
Or move abroad where people stopped their governments selling their utility companies and don’t get ripped off constantly.
30 May 2014
It’s not all about cooking, using the right tools also helps, remember a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one!!
30 May 2014
Using my slow cooker, saves ME energy and the household too :D
30 May 2014
when boiling the kettle if only making a cup or 2 just put in the right amount of water don’t over fill the kettle as that takes longer to heat the kettle and cost more electric. Also save money by turning your thermostat down a bit as the more higher it is it will cost more gas.
30 May 2014
You can save energy and therefore money by not leaving electrical items on standby when they’re not being used :-)
30 May 2014
Always turn appliances completely off and don’t leave on standby. Turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees.
30 May 2014
Have a ‘one and done’ approach to life. Once you spot a job that needs doing, instead of adding it to an ever growing ‘to-do’ list and then worrying that you never get time to do it, just make a moment to do it there and then and it really does save the energy of worrying about it.
This can be applied to things like cleaning the basin or the loo (just keep a bottle of bleach in the bathroom and a cloth to wipe round the basin) and it saves on having to have an epic cleaning session every few weeks. It can also be applied to little jobs like posting letters – Instead of letting them pile up in the porch, I give my son the job of running to the post box with it (we are only a few doors away so I can keep an eye on him).
Keeping some old socks in each room means that you can just grab one and dust whenever there’s dusting to be done – again reducing the need for a separate cleaning session. With my ‘one and done’ approach, it has saved me so much energy, stress and worry and I find I rarely need to spend a whole day ‘doing the cleaning’ anymore.
30 May 2014
I have combination microwvave oven,it cooks meat grill or roast jacket potatoes,saves time and money.
30 May 2014
Go to your parents house for Sunday lunch – you save electricity (cooking), water(washing up) and physical energy (as the grandparents entertain the littlies!)
30 May 2014
I like to save up vouchers that I win, or earn through surveys towards Christmas. Last year it meant no last minute shopping and I got all the toys for my son that he wanted.
30 May 2014
switch items off at the wall when not using, especially the tv
30 May 2014
When cooking pasta, once it has come to the boil, leave the lid on and turn the heat off. The pasta will cook in the same amount of time it would if the heat was still on.
30 May 2014
Slow cookers can cook several meals using little energy and making the most out of cheaper cuts of meat. You can even make roast chicken, lasagna and macaroni cheese in them.
30 May 2014
Turning everything off when not in use, definitely draught excluders in our house everywhere, keeping lids on when cooking and not using too much water when boiling veg etc, turning the cooker off a few minutes before it’s ready – everything adds up!
30 May 2014
Turning everything off when not in use, definitely draught excluders in our house everywhere, keeping lids on when cooking and not using too much water when boiling veg etc, turning the cooker off a few minutes before it’s ready – everything adds up!
30 May 2014
Turn electrical appliances off from the mains at night, and hang clothes on the washing line instead of using a dishwasher.
30 May 2014
No use of shower in the toilet but one can fetch a little quantity of water that he or she needs into a bucket and make use of a little bowl to pour the water on his or her body that a good way to save water because this is the process i always use and it works a lot for me they can go to tesco to buy a bucket and buy another small food bowl but this will only be to take water from the bucket in the toilet and pour it on their body
31 May 2014
If you have a bus pass make sure you use it to get out as much as possible. Especially in bad weather if feasible. This means the heating can be turned off while you are out enjoying free heat from shops and buses as well as avoiding isolation and depression.
2 June 2014
My pressure cooker reduces cooking times spectacularly – eg rice in 3 mins after 5 mins getting up to pressure, then switch off and stand for 7 mins. There are some excellent cook books dedicated to this method which are tasty and have lots of variety. I wouldn’t be without it now.