Save energy this summer

It's official - summer is finally here! But on top of fetching the picnic hamper from the loft, unearthing the lawnmower from the shed and rethinking your wardrobe, there are practical things you can do to save yourself some money and help protect the planet in the process.

Here are a few simple ways to be energy wise and get a warm glow from helping to save energy:

Drop the tumble dryer
Your poor tumble dryer has had a long, hard winter of it. Now summer is here, give it a rest and save money and energy. Get a clothes line and let the sun and wind take the strain. Hanging your clothes outside means they'll dry in no time and at no cost to you or the environment.

De-stress with a stroll home
Make the most of the longer summer evenings and let your feet do the work - cycle to and from work, or walk if you're near enough. Not using the car means less petrol or diesel and a smaller carbon footprint to boot (no pun intended...).

Let the summer breezes in
Don't use the warmer weather as an excuse to turn the air conditioning on - leave a couple of windows open around the house to encourage a fresh breeze through after the stifling environment of a centrally heated winter. Also close curtains or shut blinds on windows in direct sunlight to prevent rooms heating up.

Summer can be a pullover
When the evening begins to become a little chilly, don't touch that dial. You're allowed to put on sweaters and jumpers when it's not winter, you know.

Freezy does it
Why not take some time to look for a new Energy Saving Recommended freezer or fridge-freezer to make your cocktail ice? A new one could save you around £34 a year in running costs compared to your old one.

Gym'll fix it
There are energy-wise ways of getting into shape that don't harm the environment. 'Green gym' projects such as building cycle paths, cutting back riverside weeds or reclaiming industrial land can help your local community and give you some outdoor exercise at the same time. How to find a Green Gym

Rain is enough for your lawn
Your lawn is tougher than you think. It's tempting to water it every week in hot weather, but the truth is that grass is one of the hardiest plants on the planet, and will almost always happily thrive on just the water that comes out of the sky. If you want a backup, invest in a water butt to collect rainwater to use on your lawn. If you need to water your garden, do it in the early morning or late in the evening. This is more efficient, as less water is lost from your garden and more will get to the roots, where you actually want it.

You can also try raising your lawnmower blades so your grass is left a little longer after cutting; longer grass is deeper-rooted and loses less water from evaporation. See this Gardeners World for further water-saving tips in the garden while keeping your plants looking good:

Let there be light
Make the most of the longer days by leaving your curtains open later in the evenings. Not only is the natural infusion of daylight far more welcoming than electric light, it uses less energy too.

Summer energy saving: further information links

• Find a green gym
• More energy saving tips
• More water saving tips for the garden