Lightbulb
Battery charger - from £14 - For when your grandchildren come round to play, loaded down with their toys, this is a must. A battery charger works really effectively: just put the rechargeable batteries in, wait an hour or so, and hey presto, you are off again.
Break-even point: Four months (dependent on usage)
www.argos.co.uk
Coin sorter – from £20 – Everyone wants a good way to get rid of piles of troublesome small change, but is a supermarket coin sorter, which nabs nearly 8p in the pound, a good deal? Banks will still accept pre-sorted coins as deposits, so keep this gadget on the sideboard, toss in your change each night and let it count the pennies for you.
Break-even point: Two years.
www.gadgets.co.uk
Dryer Balls - £9.99 - Dryer balls save money on your laundry costs by reducing tumble drying times by 25 per cent, prolong the life of your clothes and are kinder to the environment. The science behind the idea is once you put the two balls which each feature a different type of nodule into the dryer, they massage heat into the fabric and increase air circulation in the machine.
Break-even point – Two months.
www.jmldirect.com
Ecoballs - £29.99 - It takes a leap of faith to try this idea, but it is surprisingly effective. Three of these space age-style balls go into your washing machine instead of conventional washing powders. Aside from the potential savings in detergents, they are great for people with sensitive skins. Costing 3p per wash – the balls come with refill pellets and can be used 1000 times.
Break-even point – Six months.
Electricity usage monitor – from £28 – It is time to get really nerdy. Monitor the electricity use of any appliance in your house by plugging it in. As well as finding out which of your appliances use the most energy, you will find out the ones which use power even when 'turned off' or on stand by.
Break-even point: Three years.
www.greenshop.co.uk
Energy saving light-bulbs – from £3 – A really bright idea for your pocket and the environment. They use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light. Technology has moved on a lot of late, as well as being available in a wide variety of fittings, shapes and sizes, there are now even halogen and dimmable ones on the market.
Break-even point: One year.
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Energy saving showers – from £20 – Replacing your existing shower head with a water and energy saver one can reduce water consumption by more than half. Even if you are not on a water meter, you will save cash on your energy bills because you are heating less water.
Break even point: Three months.
www.flowpoint.co.uk
Water filter jug – from £10 – We should all be drinking eight glasses of water a day, but if you buy bottled water instead of tap water, it can be an expensive exercise, not to mention adding a lot of plastic into landfill.
Break-even point: Two weeks.
www.brita.net/uk