July 2009 Archives

Our electricity monitoring device has opened our eyes to how we can save on our elecricity, since we have had this moniter it has made us look at the electricity we use and how we can reduce the amount of electricity we use as a family. Such as not leaving lights on and the computer or in Kieran's case Playstation 3. In the past we have been ignorant at the fact of cutting electricity and just moaned when the bill arrived by saying HOW Much!! But the moniter makes us aware of the electricty we use and it is good to see the cost of our electrcity bill coming down.

People can see our device, at http://dehems.com and by logging in using the user name Digital_Birmingham and the password skye15. They will be able to find what we are saving at the moment which is over £35 per month and only contributing 4.11 kg of carbon compared to a local average of 13.88 kg. So we are doing very well as a family. Its great for working out what devices in your home use electricity and how much they use. Just look at the dial...then switch it off...and see what the saving is.

We are cutting down on paper by having online billing which is is excellent. We have saved almost 20 sheets of paper a month and saved about £5 per month in my bills (Telecom, Virgin, Bank, British Gas, Business) by subscribing to online billing. I must admit though I do miss a full letterbox!!

BT has given us a Green Phone. The new handsets have power units designed specifically to consume around half the power of previous units, which the company says will not only reduce electricity costs for consumers but also contribute "significantly" to cutting Carbon Dioxide emissions. We have even persuaded my parents to use the Green Phone and that is progress.