Over Christmas, with people staying, we may have gone off the rails a little, but now that the New Year has arrived we have refocused again and are keeping an eye on our energy consumption.
The main changes I have made since having a smart meter installed are:
- Only heating the room that I am in (rather than the whole house.)
- Not filling the kettle to the brim when I'm only having one cup of tea (or coffee!)
- Turning the lights off when we aren't in a room.
We are yet to receive our first Smart Enegry Report. It will look something like this.
You can watch the video telling you more about the Smart Energy reports below, but in essence they provide insights on how you use energy in your house as well as providing you with tips on how to save energy.
I am particularly interested to see how we compare on energy consumption with similar households in our area.
If you are an existing British Gas customer you can register your interest in receiving a free smart meter upgrade.
British Gas have given me a Kodak easyshare sport camera to giveaway to one of my readers! All you have to do is to complete the rafflecopter below. The only mandatory option is to comment with your best energy saving tip. Please see the terms and conditions - UK entrants only. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget I also have a giveaway running to win a junior sleeping bag from sleeping bags outlet.
We were already British Gas customers, so the smart meter installation was free of charge, but I have been compensated for writing this post to raise awareness of their scheme
Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com
352 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 352 of 352unplugging devices at night
Hanging washing out to dry instead of tumble drying (when weather allows)
Switching lights off if you aren't in the room
cover up under a blanket while watching TV!!!!
only boiling the water you need
Turn the thermostat down on the hot water cylinder by a few degrees you will not notice the difference.
Turn things off when not in use,
Use the kettle to boil water for cooking, instead of heating a pan on the stove. Not only will this be more efficient, but it generally takes less time too.
Put on a jumper instead of cranking up the heating.
Use energy saving light bulbs
Thermal undies! ;)
Don't leave things on standby.
as I'm always telling the kids, close the door behind you!
Shower rather than bath and using the slow cooker
I would definitely recommend investing in rechargeable batteries - especially with the frequency we go through them! They may cost more upfront, but really do save money in the long run, not to mention the positive environmental advantages! Cost effective, energy efficient and the cost when recharging really is minimal. Win win situation!
Hang washing outside or over radiators rather than using a tumble dryer.
Switch to LED lights - in most cases they cut your costs by 90%.
Never leave the phone charger plugged in and switched on when it's not in use.
Don't use stand-by on the television
Light a fire in the winter.
A foldaway bag in your handbag saves money when having to pay for a carrier and saves the environment.
Draughtproof your doors
Showers instead of baths, and i use the economy setting. I don't like the water too, too hot so this suits me well. :-)
I turn everything off at the switch, even a stand by light will use power
My biggest energy sin are my terrariums I have 2 which are on for around 14 hours a day
I have showers instead of a bath. I always go around turning the lights off that hubby leaves on in rooms he is not in ;-)
I try extra layers on instead of putting the heating on
curtain up at front door stopping drafts have showers instead of baths and use energy bulbs instead of regular ones
Always turn off plugs when not using and rad reflectors ! What a difference these can make ! Thanks :)
Turn off all those little things around the house on standby or kids nightlamps in day etc - it all adds up!
Try to use shower instead of bath.
I turn off all equipment at the socket as soon as it is not being used. Also we have put seals around all the windows and doors :)
I never leave things on standby and only boil the amount of water I need in the kettle.
make sure your loft is insulated well
If you're putting the oven on, make sure it's worth it! Try making extra portions to freeze so the oven's full, or plan meals so the whole thing's done in there rather than three rings and the oven!
Turn off lights and unplug things on standby/chargers
I have put foam around the door to ass extra insulation. I also had a thermostat installed to control the temp which has meant our bills are much lower.
I have a pay as you go meter so i try to monitor every bit of usage, i know it sounds sad but you have to be careful with money these days xox
WE are in the process of switching to smart meters so that will help us keep track of what is spent and when
Stop leaving things on standby, turn them off when not being used.
im using door curtains around the drafty areas to hold the heat in
Turn off all appliances at plug.
cook double size meals, eat one day and freeze the rest to eat another once microwaved. ( less electricity or gas for cooking 2nd meal & less washing up as no pots and pans etc)
turn off all appliances at the plig
turn the temperature on the water down a bit
If I have to use the oven I make sure I batch cook to save money.
turn off the all the sockets unused when you go to bed, its amazing how much u can save
Turn off the lights, unplug things not in use
turn off the lights when you leave a room
Before kids I'd just layer up when cold but having little ones means the house needs to be warm rather than just sticking an extra jumper on - I try to just heat the room we are in and make sure everyone has slippers on :) Emma x (@beachpebble)
My top tip is to use the slow cooker to cook in bulk and freeze individual portions.
My microwave is always off when not in use
my household equipments are all off!
Switch things off when not in use!
Switch off everything when not in use (at the socket!) and turn the heating down by 1degree :)
Don't leave devices on standby where possible
turn all lights off as you leave the room and only boil what you need in the kettle!
We use a wireless thermostat - we can keep the heating on but it'll only click in when it needs to or when the temperature drops below what is set. Very handy and saves us more in the long run.
turn devices off at socket instead of leaving in standby mode
use a photovoltaic panel
Switch off everything when not in use
Only boil the water you actually need in the kettle!
turn of items that are not in use by the plug
Teach your children to turn appliances off when not using them
Try and dry clothes with out using tumble dryer xx
don't leave your phone charger plugged in
Don't own a massive snake vivarium =/ xx
Fill the kettle with hot water, doesn't take as lone to boil x
TOP TIP
Always turn the tv off standby!
BIG SIN - LEAVING LAPTOP ON CHARGE
Top Tip: replace any of your spot lights for LEDs, much cheaper to run!
Top tip: thermostats on radiators.
switch off all electrical items when not in use
turn everything off of an evening, standby eats electricity
Using a hot water dispenser (Tefal One-Cup) saves having to boil a kettle, it only heats the water as you use it!
dont leave a phone charger plugged in but not charging
Turn the lights off when you leave a room.... insanely simple!
If your not using stuff like tvs turn them off from the wall
Turn off all appliances and lights when not using them - don't leave things on standby; don't leave batteries / mobiles charging unnecessarily; put a jumper on instead of the heating; take showers rather than baths; etc. etc. etc.
Turn everything off at the plug socket! And use energy saving light bulbs. I also dry washing on the radiators when they are on instead of putting the drier on
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use energy saving bulbs
only fill the kettle with as much water as you need
Switch off your lights and use more candles
I go round my house turning everything electrical off apart from the fridge/freezer when I know I'm leaving the house for a while- if I'm going away for more than a few days I use up the food in the fridge/freezer and turn off all the electrics completely :)
Don't leave electricals on standby, or plugged in when fully charged.
If your not using stuff like tvs turn them off from the wall
turn unused electrical items off, use energy saving lightbulbs, use a timer for heating etc, and only use as much water you need for kettles etc.
Don't leave your computers/laptops running when you are not using them
Always put on clothes before turning up the heating! (Especially don't use electric blankets or heaters!)
Candles - give light and heat without need to turn heating up.
Turning your thermostat down by a few degrees will save you a fortune in the long run
Lush, thanks for the chance to play ... to save energy we have big welsh woolen blankets that we put in front of the windows to keep out the draft :-)
Make sure you put draught excluder tape on all the windows - it saves a lot of lost heat
Door draught excluder.
Turning the thermostat down a couple of degrees
I would say, shut the curtains before the central heating timer comes on. Otherwise you're heating air that is going straight out the window.
if you use your pc alot but tend to leave it for periods of time, turning it on and off alot will break it, but it also uses electric so instead put it to sleep, not completely off but using less energy too.
turn the heating down slightly on your boiler, it reduces the stress on the boiler, uses less energy and you wont notice a difference in the heating of the rooms.
LED lighting.. powering our kitchen has gone from 400watts p/h to 9.6 watts p/h.
Put a jumper on instead of turning the heating up :-)
keep waste washing water in bucket to flush the loo
wear a dressing gown to keep heating lower
Turn off the lights you don't need or not using.
Turn off anything that you're not using whether that be lights or TVs on standby.
buy a clothes maiden and put light stuff on it t shirts, underwear ect it halves the amount of time you will need the tumble dryer on
shut all doors.... then switch off radiators in bedroom and you only need to heat the room youre in during the day :-)
Have thick curtains and close them at dusk
Put on lots of layers of clothes!
Wear an extra jumper! Don't leave anything on standby
Thermostatic valves on radiators and a central thermostat and timer.
My biggest energy sin: heating the whole house when I'm home alone.
turn your boiler off if you only use it to do the washing up. boil kettles instead
Have a hot bath, it keeps you warm for hours!
turn everything that is not being used at the socket
Shut doors to bedrooms when not in use and turn the radiator off
Check whether or not you have adequate insulation you may be entitled to a grant if you are on certain benefits.
Moderation! Don't crank the heat, then crack a window, and repeat throughout the day. Keep the heat on low throughout, you'll have a comfortably moderate temp - if you personally feel a bit chilly, reach for a sweater before you reach for the thermostat!
Teach the children to switch off the lights and TV!
Watch for items left on standby
I turn off the lights when I leave the room!
blankets and jumpers are a lot cheaper than turning up the heating!!
dressing gown and hot water bottle, turn things off at the plug when not in use, even the washing machine ! . x
Electric blankets aren't as expensive as the heating.
tea lights after 8 instead of heating
wear a jumper and turn the heating down
Turn off the shower in between washing to save on electric and water.
Boil the kettle once and fill a flask for your hot water.
Keep doors closed after heating a room
Turn the heating down and snuggle up with a blanket when watching tv on the sofa
Heating on T-Shirt on
Wear four layers and always wear socks before switching the heating on. Draw your curtains at dusk. Switch lights of when you leave a room.
Insulate your house really wel cover doors silver foik behind radiator s
We're used to walking around the house in t-shirts whatever the weather and just adjusting the heating accordingly, but now we've implemented a 'no heating until jumpers are on' rule and we're finding we're using much less energy!
Close curtains at night. Put lids on pans...food/water heats up quicker therefore using less gas/electric
Don't leave the tap running when you brush your teeth if you're on a water meter!
Close the curtains when you start to iron, the heat from the iron builds up in the room - no need to put the heating on.
switch out light :)
forget your heating and invest in a onesie :-)
Get a cat to sit on your lap.
Keep all doors closed and don't put clothes to dry on radiators
I turn off the lights when I leave the room!
wear more clothes and follow the kids round constantly
blanket on the couch
Layers are the answer - add a layer off clothing before you put the heating on, you'll use a lot less heating energy and save a lot.
Turning the heat down when leaving the house or sleeping saves energy
I have insulated all the spaces under my stairs, as well as putting reflective backing behind all my radiators. every little helps
Wash clothes at a lower temperature.
Put the thermostat down one degree
keep curtains closed at dusk put on extra jumper switch off if not needed and use energy saving bulbs
make sure your loft and walls are insulated
put on a jumper before you go for the central heating
Turn all those standby lights on tvs, dvd players etc to off
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