We’re doing fairly well by this list, but I do need to declutter the cupboards. We’ve invested in solar power and solar hot water as well, and they are working very well.

One thing i have started doing is using reuseable drinkbottles and cups. Saves money but is great as free from BPA and everyone in our house knows whos drink is whos.

Thanks for the tips. Every year we talk about it but this year we have actually started doing it.

Some great tips here, surely though using the warmer weather to dry washing is something every family already does right?. I need to drink more water, so i will be sure to get myself a reuseable water bottle

Instant Heat Gas Water Services are supposed to be more energy efficient. What you are not told in such advertising is that they have to plugged into a power point. I have one at my rental home unit.
It is 2 solar panels with Instant Heat Gas Hot Water Service Back-up. Both have to ber plugged into the power. The hot water takes as long to reach the taps as it did with an Ordinary Gas Hot Water Service. Yes, my gas Bill is lower but my electricity bill higher and I have one less bedroom. In Summer I close my windows and close curtains, blinds etc. while it is hot. I do use my airconditioning during really hot weather because of a medical condition, but normally run it about 25 – 26C to keep it cool and often turn it off for awhile when the house is cool enough or just use an economical type fan. Unfortunately my back wall is in the sun all day but it has no windows to allow heat or cold in. I use it at night when it is hot or I don’t sleep which is dangerous with my medical condition. We have fairly solid plastic glasses we use – no risk of breakage – and we have been using them for over 30 years. I know that by the age of a relative’s child as they were bought when she was a baby. We bought a baby version of one for the baby at the same time. I have lost count how many times they have been dropped, knocked out of a cupboard, bumped against a tap etc. and none them have cracked or broken. Stainless Steel flasks are good when travelling in cold weather. If you drink different things you can put boiling water in them and take, tea and coffee etc. in small separate containers.
At present I am putting my washing in the dryer as spiders have invaded my clothes line which I clean before I use it every time; also there is building construction the other side of the fence at the moment. They are keeping the soil as damp as is practical but the warmth of the sun dries the topsoil quickly in warm weather and it has been very windy. If the dirt gets on them while the washing is still damp they have to be re-washed.
In Winter I put extra clothes on and curl up in a blanket rather than use a heater unless I am airing washing at the same time when it was being hung outdoors. I have a steel clothes airer that I can dry / air small items of clothing on. I have a verandah so I can put it in the sun or shade according to the weather conditions. If it starts to rain and the clothes are “airing dry” I can bring the airer inside to “finish off”. If the washing is on the outdoor clothes line and it rains, a lot of it gets damp/wet while you are removing the pegs an d putting the wahing into a basket. My Mum taught me that when I was a teenager and I have done it ever since, so I have saved a lot of electricity.

Some great tips there. This year we are trying to save money and live off as much home grown produce as possible.

Very interesting article to read, plus good tips.

Good tips we’re doing a clean up in a few days and Summer is fab for keeping the power bill down especially after our Winter bill!

Thank you for the tips. We try to think sustainability around the home but sometimes it’s easier to do things a different, less sustainable, way so this is a great reminder.

Small things can add up to make a big difference.

These tips make me feel pretty energy efficient already.

Thanks for the tips – we are pretty careful about our energy use around the home.

yes i have had the biggg!!! clean up for christmas. i have a few areas to go but the major stuff is done. i just can’t believe how much stuff that i donated! a few ute loads! it made me wonder why i even kept half of it.

• • 
  • • mom93821 replied
    • 21 Dec 2015 , 6:33 am

  ---

  Wonderful! It will be good to start the New Year will less clutter!

  ---

  • • 
    • • mom94125 replied
      • 06 Jan 2016 , 5:24 pm

    ---

    yes for sure! we re-use water bottles also! very handy when the kids get them dirty as well.

some good ideas here for summer.

Like ir