GazetteLive - Green Light http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/ en Copyright 2009 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:13:07 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification I'm dreaming of a green Christmas Bing Crosby might not have agreed, but times have changed a lot since the '40's. Green is officially the new white and I for one will be keeping my conscience clear this year by following a few simple tips which will help cut down on my energy bills over Christmas and into the New Year.

The tree is going up this weekend. There will be the obligatory carols and mulled wine that accompany this tradition in our house and I will also be using LED Christmas lights. I found out last year that the traditional ones cost six times more to run so I immediately headed out to my local DIY store and invested in some new ones. Oh, and I'm always sure to switch the tree lights off at bedtime - instead of leaving them on for the cat to admire!

Christmas lunch is taken very seriously indeed in the Jones' house and I have discovered that there are lots of little things I can do to stop wasting energy while I'm cooking - not just at Christmas but all year round.

]]> http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/12/im-dreaming-of-a-green-christm.html http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/12/im-dreaming-of-a-green-christm.html Christmas energy saving save money Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:13:07 +0000 Summer time and the living is easy... Festival season is upon us folks and I will shortly be setting off on my annual pilgrimage to Glastonbury.

I for one can think of no better way of spending the summer than soaking up the sun listening to my favourite bands and artists among friends in the great outdoors.

And it is good to know that come rain or shine (please let it shine) you can enjoy your festival eco-style.

So here are my top tips for an energy efficient festival season:

]]> http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/06/summer-time-and-the-living-is.html http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/06/summer-time-and-the-living-is.html Energy Saving Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:33:38 +0000 Let's get in shape for a greener, cleaner summer! I don't know about you but I always get itchy fingers this time of year and want to get things sorted out in my house.

It's the most likely time for me to clear out the garden shed or wash the curtains...so I thought you might appreciate some top energy saving spring clean ideas to focus on this year!

They range from one minute fixes to weekend DIY projects - and they'll all help get your home ready for summer, while cutting your energy use year round...

]]> http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/05/lets-get-in-shape-for-a-greene.html http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/05/lets-get-in-shape-for-a-greene.html energy saving spring clean Fri, 08 May 2009 09:49:41 +0000 My Granny was right - we should make do and mend! According to some new research out this week from the Energy Saving Trust, the majority of North East residents believe the country should once again embrace the wartime spirit in an effort to cut down on waste.

I totally agree. We could learn a lot by listening to people in their 70s and 80s who experienced rationing and food shortages as they learn about how to be thrifty.

Seventy-two per cent of people polled in the North East thought local communities should work together more to help manage resources similar to the communal nature of the wartime effort, for example, by sharing leftover food with neighbours or car sharing.

And 60 per cent of North East respondents thought measures such as rationing or personal daily allowances were needed to help the British public cut down on excess!

]]> http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/04/my-granny-was-right---we-shoul.html http://blogs.gazettelive.co.uk/teesvalleygreenlight/2009/04/my-granny-was-right---we-shoul.html Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:39:08 +0000