• Replaced most of our lightbulbs with compact fluorescents or LED bulbs.
• Three very small solar panels power a laptop computer and lamp in the evening.
• A bicycle used as an exercise bike that also charges up a battery.  
• Switch everything possible off at the plug to save on standby power consumption
• Installed an energy efficient washing machine and use a cold-water wash
• A spin dryer gets about half a pint of extra water out of clothes before drying
• Remove the lint from the dryer before each use.
• Use of a laptop really reduces power used by the computer and peripherals
• Ceiling fans are very low energy and eliminate the need for summer cooling
• We turn off the electric stove in winter and use a wood cookstove
• Use woodstove in winter rather than an electric kettle
• Convert a chest freezer into a fridge
• At Christmas time we use LED and solar outdoor lights.
• We cook with a solar cooker whenever possible (mostly during the summer).
• 32″ TV changed to a 21″ which we’ve got used to just fine  
• TV with integral DVD player

Two old windows that need replacing

It was cheaper to replace with a single sliding door set.  Increased glazing on south facing side

More solar heat and light and a great view!

Solar swimming pool heater

Solar Hot Water with a solar pv pump

Increased Insulation has prevented much heat loss 

Wind Pump Aerates the pond 

This is one of our ‘cheap and cheerful’ methods which does seem to work.  We used 4′x8′ plywood sheets with mylar aluminium sheets glued onto them. 

In winter we use solar thermal drapes at the windows.  They act like heaters in the sun. They do darken the room and limit the view outside so

we use them in a room

we only use at night. 

They radiate a comforting warmth whenever the sun shines on them. 

In our very difficult to heat lounge, they can maintain the warmth without the need for the central heating to kick in and can sometimes even elevate the temperature by several degrees. 

Energy star windows and thermal curtains have reduced our heat loss dramatically.

Whilst we have a super-insulated hot water tank, we were finding that the cellar was getting very warm from the water pipes, so we’ve insulated them all.  

A very effective method of preventing heat loss is to attach bubble wrap to windows.  Cut to size, spray window with water and fix wrap for immediate cosiness. The only downside is losing the view, but if it’s a room you don’t sit in to look out of the windows, or there is no view, or if the window is frosted anyway, well then it’s a wonderfully effective measure. 

There’s been a bit of excitement at the Romany Rest when we took delivery of some microburbines in a lovely shade of green

(although they do come

in other colours).  These were ordered from Motor Wave Group.

If anyone is interested, the same company

have now come up with electricity-generating gym equipment:  Motor Wave Group, Gym Equipment.