The EcoManager arrived from EDF Energy in the post last week. Once I'd got it out of its box, the first thing I had to do was to decide which appliances I used the most and where to plug the wireless transmitter plugs in.
My most guilty area is the garage, which is where the washing machine, dryer and internet hub are all plugged in. With the EcoManager you can control several appliances at the same time if they are plugged in to a multi-plug, so I put one where the washer and dryer are connected and the other into the internet hub. I also decided to put one into the TV in the bedroom, because that's where I tend to watch TV the most.
I was really interested to see how much the washing machine costs me to use because I often come home from tennis training and put my kit into the wash without waiting until I have a full load. I was so curious, in fact, that I put a wash on right away. My sister and I went straight to look at the monitor and saw that it works out at around 70p a day, which soon adds up if you think about it.
When we were growing up, we were always told to turn the lights out before leaving the room, but now I think nothing of leaving my PlayStation on standby 24/7 so that I can just play it without having to wait for it to boot up. I've never really thought about the fact that it was costing money. The EcoManager is definitely going to make me see things differently.
About the author
Marc is a full-time wheelchair tennis player and Paralympic hopeful. He lives in west London with his sister in a four-bedroomed house. His most guilty energy habits are washing his tennis kit every day and leaving his TV, PlayStation and DVD on standby. EDF Energy is working with athletes such as Marc to turn ParalympicsGB into a truly "green team" ahead of 2012.
