 Cookers/Microwaves
Electric hobs are the most unefficient method of heating food. Gas hobs and cookers will save you money and use less energy overall. Microwaves do in fact use a lot less energy than a traditional electric or gas cooker so if you have one, try to make good use of it. Your jacket spud for tea would only take 10 minutes in the microwave but over an hour in the oven. Think of all the energy you would save using the microwave instead and even better, you get your tea quicker!
 Kettle
We all know that you should only fill your kettle with as much water as you need. Make sure everyone at home isn’t filling it to the top just for that one cup of tea! Kettles are really greedy and can use lots and lots of energy. A typical kettle can use as much as a penny of electric on a single boil, now that doesn't sound like a lot but over the course of a year that works out to around £130 just for your cups of tea and coffee.
 Washing Machines
Washing - what a chore for your mums and dads! Try to help out by making sure you only put your really dirty clothes in the basket. We can all be lazy sometimes and throw even clean clothes in the basket so we don’t have to bother with folding them up and putting them away. But give the planet a break, really think about it, do they need washing? If not, wear them again. Make sure the machine is always full too before it goes on and suggest to your parents they try doing the washing on 30° instead, it really can get even your dirty clothes clean and it saves energy!
 Tumble Dryer
These are great for just chucking in the washed clothes and getting them dry with little hassle. But they are not great for the environment and guzzle through lots of energy. Try to help out here, offer to hang the clothes out on nice, sunny days, or if in winter you have your heating on anyway, offer to put them on the radiators or the clothes horse. You could even be extra kind and offer to fold them up after they have dried too! Guaranteed to put a smile on mums face!
Fridge / Freezer
These are in fact more efficient when they are full. So get your parents to stock up on extra ice-cream and let them know this is good for the planet!
Dishwasher
Another common household appliance, but again a greedy one! Make sure it is only switched on when full and if you have only used a plate and cup for your tea, why not wash up for a change and save on energy?
Boilers / Heating
See if you can get your parents to switch down the heating by a degree or two. You probably will not even feel the difference, but the planet will! If you get cold, stick a jumper on instead or have a run about to keep warm. Keep all the doors shut and close your curtains early evening to help keep the heat trapped in the house.
 Water
Water is scarce, only 2% of the water on this blue planet is fresh. It takes energy to clean water and pump it into your homes. Try to take a shower instead of a bath if possible, this saves lots of water. And when you are brushing your teeth don’t keep the tap running, switch it off!
We want to hear your ideas too, what do you do at home to help save the planet? Let us know and we will put your ideas on the website, have your say, click here!
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