Although I don’t usually deal with household bills (this is Craigy’s domain) when he came into the bedroom last night brandishing a handful of bills and waving it in my face - I knew I was about to hear a rant about gas and electricity prices (it wouldn’t be the first time). This time though, his outrage was warranted - our gas bill alone was £400 for the quarter, and electricity bill was up 40% on last year.

A combination of bad weather and Dexter and I being at home throughout the day has led to an over reliance on the central heating and up’ed our electricity usage this year. I guess it doesn’t help that I parade around in my undies until midday and I haven’t opened my sweater drawer since 2011. But £400 seems way over the odds for heating a two bed mid terrace for 3 months. I can’t get over how high the electricity was too - I only use the television and laptop throughout the day. If it’s this extortionate for us, imagine the challenges faced by the elderly.

Sitting here now in Craig’s hoodie and wrapped in two sofa throws, I’m having to resist the urge to play with the thermostat. Yet, it’s more than my life is worth than to risk the wrath of Craig so I’ve resorted to star jumps every fifteen minutes to warm myself up! I’m also typing away without the company of Holly and Phil this morning.

It certainly makes a compelling case for solar panels. With tax incentives, rebates, and a wide range of financing options, installing solar is more affordable than ever, and can increase the value and desirability of your home too. Hailed as an inexhaustible fuel source that is pollution and noise free, solar panels from experts like Trina Solar could save you hundred of £’s a year and do wonders for the environment.

Yet the solar power revolution doesn’t stop there. Drop ‘solar power’ into Pinterest and there are some truly amazing results. Imagine solar-powered plant pots, sunloungers, iPod speakers and chargers, or even a tent!

As some of you might have read my recent post on garden upcycling - the idea of a solar-powered planter gets me all excited! Not only do they look seriously cool, they’re also ideal if, like us, you don’t have the space for a greenhouse… Just think, I could even get my windowsills back!

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