Coming to the end of the second week, we've been carrying on with all the initiatives we've started and added a few more. The games consoles and TVs have been on a lot less as we have played more board games, ventured outside with the dog and enjoyed more creative activities together as a family. Tom and Sammy have both been very vigilant at turning plugs and switches off and even reminding us if we forget! As a reward for all their good energy saving and motivation (or is it a bribe?) for the next 2 weeks, Sammy got her chemistry set (no power required, not even batteries!) and Tom got a "build a human body" (guts and all - very much to his taste).
The weather has turned wetter and colder but we haven't needed anymore energy. In just a couple of weeks we have all got used to putting on another layer if we are feeling the cold and just slip on our dressing gowns and slippers in the evenings (nice and toasty!).
The tumble dryer has stayed off, despite the rain, as we have now installed our latest purchase - an old fashioned pulley airer for the bathroom. For under £45, a couple of drill holes and less than an hour of time we now have a tried and tested, no power indoor clothes dryer - anybody want a second hand tumble dryer?
The "cooking collective" is going really well and we have eaten at family or friends 5 or 6 times over the last 2 weeks. Had to repay the favour to some today with a big Sunday roast. However, the oven was on for no longer than it would have been on a normal Sunday at home and with a little wine, conversation and a few games no extra power was consumed (just too much food).
Changed another energy wasting 3 spot light fitting to an elegant, single energy saving light bulb fitting from B&Q, this time in our bathroom.
Also added new door curtains to our front door/porch to keep some of the cold air out. The fully lined door curtains were another B&Q clearance bargain at only £7 each - we needed 2, and a curtain pole, to cover the whole porch entrance.
We mentioned on day one that we all had plug-in alarm clocks that we wanted to change for something more energy efficient. Although they don't use a huge amount of electricity, it seems a bit silly that they all run for 24 hours when we only really need them for 10 minutes a day (alarm and a cheeky hit of the snooze button). Anyway, with a bit of internet searching (on an energy efficient laptop of course) we think we have found the answer (none of us wanted wind-up, tick-tock, bell alarm clocks as we thought they would keep us awake - and give me and Toni nightmares of sleeping in freezing, damp, spooky grandparent's houses when we were kids!). So another order placed and we will disclose all when they arrive.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS
Lined front door curtains £10
Bathroom energy saving light £30
No power games & activities £10
Less charging (car inverter) £15
No power lawn mowing £10
Reduced ironing £15
Hall energy saving light £30
Front door solar light £30
Lined bedroom curtains £5
Cooking Co-operative £25
Dishwasher used only when full £20
Bed half an hour earlier £25
Washing Machine at 30 deg C £15
Reduced Heating & Hot Water £50
Ditch the Tumble Dryer £50
Still Less TV & Xbox £10
Total Annual Savings £350
ACTUAL SPEND (will add items in as we install them and estimate their savings)
Pulley bathroom airer £43
Lined front door curtains £21
Bathroom energy saving light £20
Invertor £20
Hall energy saving light £27
Front door solar light £25
Lined bedroom curtains £10
Total spend £166
Checking the second weeks actual energy use via our meters tomorrow so fingers crossed that we have shaved a little more off.
TTFN
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