And we're off!

At last the race has started!

At work today, but before I set off I checked our heating and hot water timer to find we definitely have become complacent. Cut the time the hot water is on by 50% and heating by 80%!!! We don't think we will run out of hot water and no one's complained of being cold yet.

Despite being grey and a bit chilly, Toni didn't even contemplate putting the tumble dryer on. The washing went out on the line and is now dry and fresh. What about if it rains? We have a plan but more on this later in the week...

After work and school got Tom and Sammy to look at the energy they use in their bedrooms.

We found all the lights upstairs had energy saving bulbs except the bathroom (because of the fittings so might look at changing) and our bedroom (but it doesn't work - still got told off by Sammy!).

We each had a plug-in alarm clock and thought we could find more energy saving options - we let you know what we come up with.

All the upstairs radiators have Thermostatic Radiator Valves but we never look at them! Found they were all at either 4 or 5 so turned them down to 3 (no reports of cold bedrooms tonight).

Tom and Sammy have really caught the energy saving bug and both been caught turning lights off and closing curtains at dusk!

Even more amazing was that neither the TV nor Xbox has been on!!! After dinner we all bathed in one bath full of water and taking turns of course. Then played a board game - no arguments, having fun and no electric!

Right, sorry a bit of a long post but first day and all that. Just to finish off with my estimated savings summary that I'm going to carry forward each day so that we can keep track and hopefully convince one or two of you to save energy and keep some cash in your pocket.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS
Reduced Heating & Hot Water     £50
Ditch the Tumble Dryer                £50
Less TV & Xbox                           £10
Total Annual Savings                  £110

Not bad for the first day. Although not that creative they have all been free! Will obviously need more imagination over the coming days and we know its going to get harder!

TTFN