An energy saving recommended washing machine will not only reduce your bills, but you will also save 34 kgs of CO2!

Use the appropriate load function according to the size of your wash. For example, if you have to do a smaller wash, use the small load function.

Washing machines that are AAA rated mean they are A for energy, A for wash quality and A for spin.

This will give you savings up to Rs1500 and 180 kgs of CO2 a year for a fridge freezer and Rs800 and 80 kgs of CO2 for a fridge.

By putting warm food into your fridge, it will make the fridge work extra hard to try and keep cold. Always allow food to cool down first.

Defrost frozen food in the fridge as it helps keep it cool as it thaws.

• Keep your fridge/freezer at least three quarters full.
• Ensure your appliance is installed in a well ventilated area.
• Ensure the time between buying chilled/frozen food and placing them in your appliance is kept at minimum, particularly in summer. We recommend you use a cool bag or a special carrier bag to carry frozen food.
• Do not leave the door(s) of your appliance open longer than necessary to ensure they are closed properly after each opening.
• Defrost frozen food in the fridge compartment, so that frozen food acts as an ice pack to assist cooling in the fridge.

Only use the amount of water you need so the electricity is not burning unnecessarily to heat the excess. If only using a small pan, then use a smaller burner and boil water in the kettle first. This will save the time the burner needs to heat the water and putting a lid on will help it come to the boil quicker.

The oven temperature reduces by 25 degrees every time the door is opened, making it take more time and energy to cook your food thoroughly than is necessary. You should try and cook the items you need for a meal simultaneously in order to reduce the time you need your oven on for.

Ten minutes before your meal is due to finish cooking turn the oven off, leave the door closed and the oven will carry on cooking at the same temperature.

• Always close the lid firmly before starting the motor, and place your hand on the container lid while the blender is running.
• If the motor is struggling to blend at low speed, add a little liquid and increase the speed.
• After turning off the blender, allow the blade to completely stop before removing the lid and the container from the motor.
• When making drinks that use carbonated beverages, prepare the recipe using all the carbonated ingredients last.
• When making cold recipes using a glass blender, try chilling the container before. This will enable your drink to remain cold when blending frozen drinks. This won’t work for plastic containers.
• If blending hot foods or liquids, leave the feeder cap off to release steam. Start at the lowest speed and gradually increase to higher speeds.
• When chopping ice cubes, add at least one cup of liquid.
• Harder cheeses such as Cheddar and Swiss are easier to grate in blenders. Cut the cheese into cubes then refrigerate. before adding to the blender. Add cheese cubes through the feeder cap while the motor is running.
• Making breadcrumbs using the blender is easy. Use stale bread for dry breadcrumbs and fresh bread for soft breadcrumbs. Drop the pieces through the feeder cap while the motor is running.
• Use your blender to grate fresh coconut, grind poppy seeds, reconstitute dry milk and frozen fruit juices, dissolve gelatin and prepare instant puddings and shakes.
• Blenders can grind coffee beans, whole spices, crackers or nuts and make your favourite chutneys.