• Use low energy light bulbs. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs can save up to 80% on lighting costs and last far longer than most conventional bulbs. Buy from local electrical shops or supermarkets.
• Always buy appliances rated ‘A’ for energy efficiency.
• Coloured clothes rarely need to be washed hotter than 40 degrees. Hot white washes use far more energy and can be done at cooler temperatures.
• Line dry washing on a fine day – think of the money you will save by not using a tumble dryer. A clothes airer works well indoors.
• Defrost frozen food overnight in the fridge – it will help lower the fridge temperature.
• Fill empty spaces in your freezer with cardboard boxes and newspaper. It helps it work more efficiently.
• Using a shower rather than a bath saves both water and the energy needed to heat the water.
• If your boiler is over 15 years-old, replacing it with a new one could save you up to 32% off your fuel bill. For price comparisons on boilers see: www.sedbuk.com
• Regularly bleed radiators to make them work more efficiently.
• Don’t use standby settings on TVs and DVDs etc. Up to 15% of electricity is used by electrical items on standby.
• Unplug mobile phone chargers when not in use.
• Close curtains when a room is not in use – it will keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
• Think about generating power through renewable sources at home from heat from the ground (geothermal), from the sun or from wind or from Biomass. Renewable Energy for Devon will be able to give you more advice. Telephone: 0800 512 012.

• Using public transport helps cut carbon emissions. For travel advice visit: www.traveline.org.uk, www.nationalrail.co.uk. Bus timetables: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/home/index
• The Car-free Days Out website gives suggestions for trips around the local area: www.carfreedaysout.com. Also www.seat61.com gives ideas for flight-free trips and holidays with train and shipping timetables.
• Car-sharing can help cut down car use: www.moorcar.co.uk is based in Ashburton.
• You can help offset your carbon emissions from air travel by supporting a forestry or climate-friendly energy project. Visit www.carbonneutral.com, www.futureforests.com or www.CO2.org

Buying local food:

• A single pizza could have travelled 24,200 miles depending on the toppings. By using similar local ingredients we could reduce the food miles to 239 miles.
• Local Farmers markets sell fresh locally produced food. Tavistock Farmers’ Market is held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month in Bedford Square: www.tavistockfarmersmarket.com or Okehampton Farmers’ Market is on the third Saturday of each month in the Market Hall Okehampton.
• The Tavistock Eatwise campaign has a directory of local shops, producers, and restaurants which use locally-sourced ingredients: www.tavistockeatwise.com

At work:

• Check whether you have an environmental policy at work and whether it is followed.
• Encourage colleagues to switch off lights and computers when not in use.