Weather
Top Tip: Plan your meals
Carefully planning your meals each week can not only reduce food waste, but may also save you money.
Load up the dishwasher
If you have a dishwasher, use it efficiently - wait for a full load (or the maximum load allowed on the economy programme). Some of the best dishwashers use two bowls of water and cost less than 10p's worth of electricity per wash in this mode. (source: Energy Saving Trust) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Don't tumble-dry everything
Avoid the tumble dryer - hang clothes on an airer or outside if you can. Get that fresh air smell without consuming chemicals or electricity. (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Open the right windows
In very hot weather, shut windows on the sunny side of your home and draw curtains. Open windows on the shady side, and make sure you drink plenty of water. (source: Croydon Energy Network) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Block up your chimney
Close off chimneys when not in use. If there isn't a plate fitted, try a chimney balloon - this not only stops cold draughts coming down your chimney, but also stops the warm air in your room disappearing up your chimney. www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/ (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Use lemon juice for cleaning
Bottled or fresh lemon juice are really effective for cleaning. Bleach your wooden chopping board by rubbing with lemon juice, leave overnight, then rinse. Remove limescale from taps by rubbing with lemon juice, then rinse after a few minutes (not suitable for plated taps). Clean kitchen surfaces by rubbing with lemon juice then rinse. Half a lemon left in the fridge will help remove unpleasant odours.
Use nature's cleaning agents
Instead of using chemicals to clean your shoes try using a banana peel. Rub your shoe with the inside of the banana peel and then wipe and buff them with a cloth. Another natural cleaner to try around the house is lemon juice. Bottled or freshly squeezed lemon juice helps clean kitchen and wooden surfaces.
Replace your old heating system
If your boiler is over ten years old, it is worth replacing it; technical improvements mean that new boilers and control systems are significantly more efficient that they were even five years ago, now achieving energy ratings of more than 90%. The most efficient type of gas fired boiler is the condensing boiler which recycles otherwise wasted energy from the combustion gases. The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre runs a database on suitable products. Use individual thermostatic controls on radiators in every room. If the room isn't in use, keep the control turned to low to avoid heating rooms unnecessarily. Ring 0800 512012 for further details.
Reuse your paper
Think creatively about how to reduce your paper use - use ends of wallpaper, newspaper and old posters as drawer liners or wrapping paper, glossy mags for your home-made cards, leftover office paper for shopping lists.
Get a steamer
Pressure cookers and steamers both save energy as they enable you to cook several different foods on one ring. Steamers are particularly easy to use.
Find a trade
