Eco your home zone

Long time no post... becoming pregnant rather halts the whole 'weight loss' thing.

Although I'm now due in 6 or so (so could be 10, lol) weeks, and currently weigh 'just' 72 Kgs (which given that I started this pregnancy weighing 65kg is, um, interesting :0 ).

But on with the things for the blog :-) Here be 20!! ways that you can make a little green difference to your home right now (OK, so in the morning...) Some of them I've listed before, but they bear repetition!!

1. Switch to low-energy lightbulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 80 per cent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 15 times longer. LED bulbs use even less :-) (my whole bathroom is lit with less than 5W, and if anything that's too bright)

2. Turning your thermostat down by 1 deg C can save up to 10 per cent on your annual heating bill.

3. Never leave your personal computer or monitor on when not in use - they burn a huge amount of energy.

4. Turn your television off at the wall when not in use. A television on standby is still using 80 per cent of its power. OK, so some now use less than that, but its still get with the programme time and turn things off. Right off!

5. In winter close your curtains when it starts getting dark to reduce the amount of heat escaping through your windows. In Summer keep them and the windows closed in the day to cut down on the amount of heat your home absorbs, and get them open when its dark/cooler windows and all for a good blow through. Remember to get up early enough to have everything shuttered again before anything south facing is in full sun (if you are going to be in all day do the south in the am and early afternoon, and remember to also close up the rest of the directions as the sun moves round. Passive solar is really important for reducing the need for heating in the winter, but you need to keep temps down in the summer to avoid the need for fans and/or air conditioning!)

6. Air leakage wastes an enormous amount of thermal energy. Seal all leaky doors and windows.

7. Save water by putting a flush saver, or even a brick, in your loo cistern to reduce the amount of water used with each flush.

8. Replacing an ageing central heating boiler with a new condensing type could cut your heating bills by more than 20 per cent.

9. Your hot water does not need to be boiling, so make sure your cylinder thermostat is set at 60 deg C. Even better, set it down to 40 deg C. Its still going to be plenty.

10. Next time you upgrade your fridge or freezer make sure you get an energy-efficient model. An “A++” rating denotes the best energy efficiency. Try this for your washing machine as well - get one with a lower water use programme, and use it!

11. Urban water run-off from paths and patios can be stored in a sustainable drainage system which helps prevent flooding in main sewers and drains.

12. Use water butts to store rainwater for use in the garden. It can even be filtered and used in the house for flushing loos and in your washing machine.

13. “Grey water” from your bath and shower can also be filtered and re-used in the house or garden.

14. Solar hot water heating is one of the most cost-effective technologies available. Once installed, up to 70 per cent of your annual hot water requirement can be met by this technology.

15. Solar photo-voltaic (PV) panels generate electricity from sunlight. Although a whole-house system is an expensive option, small panels can be used efficiently to power certain appliances such as water pumps and lighting circuits. There are links to some fantastic DIY articles at treehugger.com and off-grid.net

16. If your windows need replacing, make sure you fit new double- or even triple- glazed units. Double glazing can cut heat loss through windows by up to 50 per cent.

17. A third of all building heat is lost through walls. Cavity wall insulation is easy and cheap and even solid walls can be insulated either indoors or outside. Come the summer cavity insulation can help prevent heat coming in as well.

18. Increasing the depth of your loft insulation to at least 20 cm could reduce heat lost through your roof by 25 per cent.

19. Use a compost bin and reduce the amount of kitchen rubbish you send to landfill.

20. Most metals, glass and plastics can be recycled and most local authorities have a collection scheme. Make sure that you segregate and recycle all these materials. And give them a rinse as food waste in the recycling cuts its value considerably. (although don't use a running tap - small washing up bowl and a soak and scrub is by far the better way to do this).