Free Ideas

Had time to double-check that we had turned-off, turned-down and blocked-up everything we didn't need working all the time. Realised that we were still using our plug-in doorbell so switched that off straight-away. What with a good old-fashioned door knocker, and Harry, our dog, who goes mad with excitement when anyone comes near the house, we should be ok.

Next we noticed that our DVD and video players switch on whenever we turn our TV on because they are plugged into the same extension lead. The extension lead is really easy to get to so we unplugged them.

As our house was built in 1935, we have 2 chimney breasts and there would have been 4 open fires. The 2 downstairs these have been blocked-up with ventilation grilles inserted to prevent damp. The fire place in the main bedroom has the old fashioned flap to close it off and we don't feel any draughts. However, the fire in Sammy's room had been taken out and just an open void left. Not only was it draughty but also very noisy when windy - giving Sammy a good excuse to crawl into our bed for a cuddle some nights! So with a couple of battens, an off-cut of board with a sheet of polystyrene stuck to it (all from my favourite place in our home - my shed!) and a bit of banging around with my hammer, it was sealed-up. No more draughts (or sleepy Sammy clambering over us in the middle of the night!).

Then it was on to bleeding radiators (they are a necessary evil but I meant getting any air out!). A 20 minute job around the whole house but something we forget to do. Obviously, if there is cold air filling the radiator and not hot water then they are not going to do their job and will make the boiler have to work harder using more energy!

A bit like the radiators is the back of the fridge-freezer. Over time the vents get clogged with dust and prevent it from working efficiently. Again a quick job to clean then but, as you can see, one that gets forgotten.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS
Plugged-in doorbell off                   £2
Video & DVD player unplugged    £2
Chimney blocked-up                       £4
Radiators bled                                 £4
Fridge vents/fins cleaned                £3
Radiator shelves                            £10
Free water saving stuff                    £5
H2O alarm clocks x 4                    £30
Door draught seal                            £5
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                  £415

ACTUAL SPEND (will add items in as we install them and estimate their savings)
H2O alarm clocks x 4                    £26
Door draught seal                            £5
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                                   £197

Just noticed that the pictures are pretty boring again, sorry. Will have to get Harry, our dog, or the kids back in the action.

TTFN