What More Can I Do, How Much Can I Save?

SpursDave

Just making a bit of an audit in our home about what we can do to reduce energy consumption, water usage and save money. I am coming at this from a saving cash point of view rather than an environmental one....

We live in a terraced house which is completely electric on Economy 7.

So far we have:
Changed all our bulbs bar the bathroom to energy saving bulbs.
Put water displacement device in downstairs loo, upstairs is a two stage flush anyway.
Had loft re-insulated.
Had walls insulated.
Adopted the Australian shower technique.
Started switching off stuff on standby.
Using tumble dryer and washing machine less.
Using TV and PC less.
Collect rainwater for garden and car wash.
Boiling water for tea per cup required.

We are about to do:
Fit Eco aerated shower-head.
Fit spray tap cartridges in downstairs toilet and main bathroom sink.

We plan longer term to:
Replace aged double-glazed windows that haven't been done already.

Any other ideas for what we can do to reduce consumtion and therefore costs?

P__G

Wow - you have really done a lot so far, only think I can think of is a rain water tank

or try this for £2.50 - might save you £££ in the long run?

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/ethical-collection-books-music-games/HN243841

SpursDave

Might see if they have it in the library.....thanks!

Taadaa

I give clothes a good shake when they come out of the machine but before I put them on the line, this gets the creases out so no ironing (well, maybe except shirts) saves the boredom too.

What about a composter for veg peelings etc to make your own compost, save buying it?

Washing machine on 30?

Do you switch stuff off at the plug, stuff like the mobile phone charger, microwave, kettle etc?

When I ash fruit or veg I use a bowl then strain into a watering can I keep outside the back door to save water

And when I have a bath (nice every now and then) I leave the water in for the next person, saves water and saves the energy to heat water up if we emptied it each time.

Heating not on yet but leave it as long as possible before you crack and have to put it on, put it on a timer, heat the room you want to use only through local controls

Boil water in the kettle for pasta etc as it's less energy than doing it on the hob, at least for gas anyway

If you have kids with loads of gagets, consider getting a solar charger for them

Grow your own fruit and veg, much cheaper and better for you, and your salad but if you can't be bothered at least grow your own herbs, so much cheaper than the supermarket

Use a candle or two instead of putting a light on

Dimmer switches kept on low use less energy, but make sure your energy bulbs are compatible

When you have finished cooking leave your oven open a little to warm the room in winter if you have a kitchen diner

Shut your curtains at dusk, and before in winter, and use curtains with thermal liner or heavy curtains

Get a battery recharging unit, rechargable batteries in aldi are only pennies more than disposables so will pay back quicker

now what about giving that tumble dryer up unless it's an emergency?

I use washable pads to clean my face, cut an old flannel up, save on buying cotton wool.

If you are south west facing you could get solar panels for hot water? Google it, costs a couple of grand and can increase your house value

Are your pipes and hot water tank insulated properly? don't know if this applies to you on econony 7, know it's electric but that's about it

Grey water tank?

Being green can save ALOT of money

Cardew

Give up the internet?

SpursDave

Taadaa wrote: »

I give clothes a good shake when they come out of the machine but before I put them on the line, this gets the creases out so no ironing (well, maybe except shirts) saves the boredom too.

Yep, we do that!

What about a composter for veg peelings etc to make your own compost, save buying it?

Our organic waste gets recycled by the council. No need for compost as have VERY small gardens and we get it free from in-laws anyway.

Washing machine on 30?

We run it on 40 at the moment BUT will see if it will do 30...good call!

Do you switch stuff off at the plug, stuff like the mobile phone charger, microwave, kettle etc?

Yes, always.

When I ash fruit or veg I use a bowl then strain into a watering can I keep outside the back door to save water

Good idea.

And when I have a bath (nice every now and then) I leave the water in for the next person, saves water and saves the energy to heat water up if we emptied it each time.

Never have baths....might try sharing one though, nudge nudge!

Heating not on yet but leave it as long as possible before you crack and have to put it on, put it on a timer, heat the room you want to use only through local controls

We do that. Jumpers first, then heat.

Boil water in the kettle for pasta etc as it's less energy than doing it on the hob, at least for gas anyway

We are all electric and found that it was as long as it short for this.

If you have kids with loads of gagets, consider getting a solar charger for them

Was looking at those yesterday. Not sure the use warrants the cost...yet!

Grow your own fruit and veg, much cheaper and better for you, and your salad but if you can't be bothered at least grow your own herbs, so much cheaper than the supermarket

No room to grow much but after we have re-done our garden I was thinking of tryin tomatoes and stuff you can grow in pots/bags.

Use a candle or two instead of putting a light on

Mmm, maybe.

Dimmer switches kept on low use less energy, but make sure your energy bulbs are compatible

No dimmer switches and not fitting them, don't like them on safety grounds.

When you have finished cooking leave your oven open a little to warm the room in winter if you have a kitchen diner

We do this.

Shut your curtains at dusk, and before in winter, and use curtains with thermal liner or heavy curtains

Done.

Get a battery recharging unit, rechargable batteries in aldi are only pennies more than disposables so will pay back quicker

Done

now what about giving that tumble dryer up unless it's an emergency?

We are trying! I work in filth a lot of the time, so have a large turnover of overalls and clothes during the week. It is unavoidable sometimes, but we are trying!

I use washable pads to clean my face, cut an old flannel up, save on buying cotton wool.

Good idea.

If you are south west facing you could get solar panels for hot water? Google it, costs a couple of grand and can increase your house value

Have investigate this and it would not be cost efficient for us.

Are your pipes and hot water tank insulated properly? don't know if this applies to you on econony 7, know it's electric but that's about it

All done.

Grey water tank?

Was looking into rain harvesting systems yesterday and for the future it is a definite but the set-up costs are prohibitive at the moment. I think when the water tanks and pipe get to end-of-life, we would replace and incorporate this.

Being green can save ALOT of money

MANY THANKS for your help!:T

SpursDave

Cardew wrote: »

Give up the internet?

I have cut back a lot believe me, but it's too damn useful!:p:D

A_fiend_for_life

Defrost the freezer regularly

Defrost frozen food in fridge before cooking it. Heating from circa -18C and particularly past 0C is energy hungry - especially if it contains a lot of water.

Slow cooker?

Make the next computer a laptop. Unplug all the extra peripherals - small saving but effortless really.

Energy monitors - some libraries lend these out. British Gas are giving them away but I'm not sure if you need to be a customer. Check out the freebies board.

Fire_Fox

Unless you have a tiny house you should be able to use an airer rather than a tumble dryer. We used to travel in a motorcaravan as a child, including driving to Turkey and back in eight weeks. Four people's laundry had to get air dried in a tiny shower cubicle!! :eek: I have a flat these days so no outdoor space and quite limited indoors. We have this:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80119043
It takes two loads very easily, folds away when not in use and requires just two square feet of floor space. :T Two of these might be needed for a large family or mucky work clothes.

This is more aimed at the lades of your household ... I'm not really sure what the Australian shower technique is, but I am used to washing my hair in the minimum water when camping. I now prefer leave-on conditioner to wash off - it saves a lot of water, electricity/ gas and you need to use far less conditioner! I also use dry shampoo regularly, tho I am not sure whether this is money saving or better for the environment (aerosol ).

LeeSouthEast

I got into the habit of boiling a full kettle, making my cuppa, then putting the remaining hot water in a thermos flask. This stays sufficiently hot enough for instant coffee 2 or 3 hours after boiling... not that it ever lasts that long!

But 1 boil makes numerous time-spaced hot drinks, for the cost of a £10 thermos.

Taadaa

And hoover the back of the fridge and freezer, the coils get very dusty and this has some effect on how efficient it is, not sure how though

I grew a load of potatoes in old compost bags this year, and I am growing cucumbers and tomatoes in growbags, Wyevale were doing three peat free bags for a fiver bargain! so you don't need alot of space. You can also grow salad crop in a gro bag.