The lazy git’s guide to going green
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You can slash your power usage – and your energy bills – by getting hold of three devices and then walking to the thermostat...
Step one: find out how much you’re using
Did you know that the luxury of having your microwave clock blinking at you 24/7 is costing you £50 a year? You didn’t? Then it’s time to find out by investing in an Electrisave: this nifty little device clips on to your electricity cable and shows you how much electricity you’re using – and how much it’s costing you.
Step two: buy energy saving light bulbs
Even Keeley, The Sun’s Page 3 eco warrior, advocates their usage. “I only use low-voltage bulbs at home,” she says. And it’s easy to follow her lead – replace one 60W bulb with an 11W equivalent and you’ll save £38 over the bulb’s lifetime. If you change six, that’s an annual saving of more than £200.
Cut home costs
Step three: don’t leave appliances on energy-sapping standby mode
Invest in an energy saving kit – priced at just under £30, it cuts power to the devices plugged into it, saving the energy they would otherwise consume in standby mode. You’ll save around £37 a year – covering the cost of the kit and more besides.
Step four: turn down your thermostat
Just one degree will reduce your annual heating bills by 10%, according to Natalie Baynes of the Energy Saving Trust – which could save you around £40 a year.
