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Eco Tips

Here we have compiled our top ten eco tips and some eco advice that can help us become more knowledgeable to make better choices to help our environment. We have also made our top ten eco tips available as a downloadable pdf.

Eco Tip 1: Understand Energy use

Our homes produce over � of the UK's CO2 emissions, even more than our cars, to better understand the big energy users in your house try fitting our Efergy Meter. This eco product measures electricity consumption in real-time, turn on the kettle, under-floor heating, tumble dryer, down-lights and see how much extra electricity is used, how much this costs and resulting carbon emissions. By understanding the impact of these appliances can help you save electricity.

Eco Tip 2: Avoid Standby

If in the UK we all turned off our TVs and other gadgets that are kept on stand-by, it is estimated we could shut down 2 power stations with huge reductions in CO2 emissions with the saving in electricity. Switch off appliances at the wall, mobile phone chargers, dishwashers, tumble dryers etc. Alternatively try our Standby Buster, this clever eco product turns appliances off that are in standby mode. The standby buster is the only consumer electronics mains switch product to be recommended by the Energy Savings Trust.

Eco Tip 3: Lighting

In most homes, lighting accounts for 10-15% of the electricity bill. The simplest electricity savings come from switching lights off in empty rooms, but when in use invest in Energy Saving Light Bulbs. Eco Light Bulbs last approx 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and consume 1/5th of the energy as they produce light rather than heat, this is good for the environment and your wallet.
Also rather than leaving lights on, save electricity by using a timer to reduce waste.

Eco Tip 4: Home Heating

Keeping our homes warm during winter accounts for approx 2/3 of our household energy bills. Consider which rooms you live in and turn the radiator down in spare rooms. Check the thermostat, turning the temperature down by just 1 degree C can reduce your energy bill by as much as 10%, and insulating your attic reduces the amount of energy lost in most houses by up to 20%. By using some of this eco advice you can help save electricity.

Eco Tip 5: Eco Friendly Washing

Washing clothes at 60 degrees uses 30% more energy than at 40 degrees as 90% of the energy used by a washing machine is used to heat the water. Save electricity by using full-loads, a half-load does not use half the energy or half the water. Save on detergent try our Eco-Balls, use them instead of washing powder, saving you money and the planet - and they really do work!

Eco Tip 6: Tumble Drying

Household appliances such as tumble dryers use lots of energy, even on stand-by, remember switch off properly when not in use and save electricity.
Whenever you can, hang up your clothes to dry naturally, turning off the tumble dryer is the 100% energy saving solution. If you do have to use your tumble dryer and you're looking to save electricity and money why not try our tumble dryer balls. Dryer balls are safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, they will save time and money by reducing your drying time by 25%, and avoiding the need for fabric softeners.

Eco Tip 7: Heat Logs

Heat logs are a clean, convenient and natural alternative to traditional fire-wood and other fuels. Ideal for multi-fuel stoves, but also can be used in open fires as well as in garden chimineas.
Heat Logs are made from the waste shavings from sawmills, using 100% virgin timber from sustainably managed plantation forestry. No additives are used to make Heat Logs, the natural lignin of the wood acts as a binder.
Heat Logs have more than double the heat output of normal firewood logs and are considered carbon neutral as the carbon released was first absorbed by the tree in the first place.

Eco Tip 8: Cup of Coffee

The electric kettle uses a high amount of energy. They are used frequently, generally heating more water than is needed. The Eco-Kettle, a UK designed product saves electricity and money. The Eco-Kettle has a double chamber, this chamber allows you to boil just enough water for what you need. If you only want one-cup you can boil just enough water for the one-cup saving time, saving electricity and saving money.

Eco Tip 9: Recycle

Recycling just one plastic bottle can save enough electricity to power a 60W light bulb for 6 hours, but what does recycled plastic become? We have a range of products which use recycled plastics including Notebooks, Coasters, Rulers to name a few. Look out on the site for recycled products and consider the innovative ways our suppliers are converting rubbish into new eco products.

Eco Tip 10: Buying New

When you buy a new electrical appliance, get an .A. rated energy-efficient model, they cost less to run, save electricity, save you money and contribute less to climate change.

For more Eco Tips and Facts consider our Eco Book: Energy : Use Less - Save More by Jon Clift & Amanda Cuthbert containing "100 Energy Saving Tips for the Home".