GreenChoices

Home hints and tips

Fix dripping taps - one dripping tap could fill a bath a week!
Install a water meter to help you monitor water use - free of charge from your water company.
Don't leave taps running when brushing your teeth or washing your hands.
Showers use much less water than a bath - typically 30 litres compared with 110 litres - but power showers can use as much as a bath.
Use a bowl if you only have a small amount of washing up.
Dishwashers use a lot of energy and water so only use them when they are full and use energy/water saving options if possible.
Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine - each wash can use over 65 litres of water.
Use a cooler temperature when washing clothes - modern detergents are designed to be effective at 30°C or 40°C.
If you are going to buy a new washing machine or dishwater choose one that is both water-efficient and energy-efficient. Check how many litres of water and how much energy they use per wash.
Washing the car (if you have one) with a hose uses up to 90 litres of water in ten minutes - that is a lot of buckets.
Get a water butt to collect rainwater for your garden - see gardening section for more hints.

Consider repairing and restoring items rather than replacing them.
Look for second-hand items, in charity shops, from auctions, join Freecycle or ask around.
Consider the environmental impact of new items before deciding to buy them.
If buying cork tiles make sure they are not PVC coated or buy unsealed ones and seal them yourselves.
Ask suppliers and retailers about the environmental impact of their products and their policies regarding chemical pollutants, the environment and social responsibility generally.

Site your fridge and freezer in a cool (but not very cold) position - not next to the cooker!
Don't leave the door open and make sure the seals are tight.
Keep your fridge temperature setting between 3°C and 5°C; settings lower than this are wasting energy.
Don't overstock your fridge! Make sure it is no more than three quarters full, that way cool air circulates more easily.
Clean the condenser coils at the back of the fridge - if dust builds up it can waste up to 30% more energy.
If buying a new fridge or freezer go for a really energy efficient one - check the European Energy Label - A++ is the best.

Home entertainment
Don't leave any of your machines in standby mode; switch off at the mains when not in use.
Repair things when they break rather than throwing them away.
Check the energy consumption of any new appliances you are thinking of buying, including how much energy they use on standby.
Go for a smaller TV screen.
Invest in a wind-up radio.