Recent Comments

1. Shower More, Bath Less - 02 Jun 2006

   For those looking for a grey water collector for the bath – have a look at watertwo.co.uk. They won’t win awards for web design but they make a bathwater diverter that you fit to the waste pipe from the bath/shower that allows you to attach a hose and water the garden or fill a butt. It operates from ground level by two pull cords to divert the water one way or the other. Needs some diy plmbing but I’ve just fitted one to the outside pipe as I’m in the Surrey water area that has just announced the drought order.

2. Slow Down, Calm Down (Stick to the speed limit) - 27 Jul 2006

   As I do a lot of motorway driving to get to meetings and clients I would always stick cruise control on at 80. I’m a bit of an average mpg watcher on the car computer and would get about 53 – 55mpg on a motorway trip. NOw I stick to “around 70” ;) and my mpg has shot up! The last 1000 miles I did the overall average was 60.5! Big savings in everything. Maybe we should get some car stickers printed – “Slow down – reduce costs, reduce pollution, reduce deaths” or maybe something a bit catchier than that!! :)

3. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 27 Jul 2006

   For those with an open chimney have a look at www.chimney-balloon.co.uk. It’s basicalyl a big blow up bag with a valve that you shove up the chimney to stop the draughts. Only had ours a few months so can’t comment on it’s effectiveness just yet as it’s been too warm but it should help come the cold nights. Also, if anyone in your household is on benefuits such as incapacity or DLA you can get most insulation done for free. Getting our walls filled next week!

4. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 27 Jul 2006

   I’ve bought an electricity meter that you plug into the wall and then plug appliances into. You can then see how much electricity they use of a period of time (and you can program the cost too). It’s quite scary! Found one on ebay for about 20 quid. Very handy for seeing what uses the elctricty. Also bought a fridge sava plug to reduce running costs of the fridge/freezer.

5. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 27 Jul 2006

   I’ve bought an electricity meter that you plug into the wall and then plug appliances into. You can then see how much electricity they use of a period of time (and you can program the cost too). It’s quite scary! Found one on ebay for about 20 quid. Very handy for seeing what uses the elctricty. Also bought a fridge sava plug to reduce running costs of the fridge/freezer.

6. Switch off and unplug appliances and chargers - 27 Jul 2006

   Here’s a handy tip – We just bought a 6 plug extension cable with individual switches. Is stuck onto the side of the TV stand now so we can turn off the DVD, video, stereo, PS2 etc rather than using standby. Saves rooting around the back of the TV to find the right plugs to pull. Luckily the TV has a proper switch but the cable box resets if it’s unplugged which is a real pain. Should be a new law that all appliance store their settings and have proper off switches!

7. Switch off and unplug appliances and chargers - 27 Jul 2006

   If you want to scare yourselves, buy an electricity meter that monitors how much electricity an appliance plugged into it uses. I got one of ebay for about £20 and you can set the cost etc. plug in something like your TV or PC and leave it for a week and then see how much energy it has used and what it has cost!