I am very aware how much electricity having a freezer takes up but due to my allotment, it seems necessary to store the surplus in the freezer to see me through winter, on our budget it really is quite necessary to do just that.
However there are certain vegetables that I grow (like squashes) which can store for up to 6 months along with spuds and onions which are all stored in bags in the garage.
I don't feel entirely justified in having a freezer (as I am aware of the unfriendly effect on the environment) but as most of our food has travelled 1 mile from the plot to the table I don't feel so hideous! Is there an alternative?

Many Thanks
Jean Oliver

Hi Jean,
I think that you should ease up on yourself a little. Your efforts are really commendable and so much more than a lot of us are managing.

To keep a surplus in the freezer has got to be a better option than buying it later from the supermarket.
There are however, some steps that you can take to ensure that your freezer is as efficient as possible.

The Energy Saving Trust recommends that a brand new A rated or Energy Saving Recommended freezer will use over 60% less energy than a typical old one. This will give savings of up to £37 and 150 kilograms of CO2 a year for a freezer.

Three more tips for freezer efficiency are:

1) Make sure that you defrost your freezer regularly; if you can see more than 1cm of frost and ice around the freezer then its time for a defrost as an icy freezer is using extra energy.

2) Use a Savaplug which can cut the energy use of your freezer or fridge by up to 20%.
The award winning Savaplug was developed in conjunction with the Department of Energy. When fitted it helps fridges and freezers run more economically by adjusting the electricity supply according to the motor's needs.

3) Keep the freezer full. This also applies to your fridge. Each time you open the door, warm air rushes in to fill any empty spaces and of course when you close the door you will hear the freezer or fridge start churning away to cool it down again.
A good thing to fill the freezer with are cool packs or bottles of water as later on these can be placed in the fridge or with frozen items when you are defrosting.

If you still feel really want to do away with your freezer then I would investigate selling your surplus to a veggie box scheme or local farm shop.

Hope this all helps and I’m glad that you enjoy my blog.

Best Wishes
Anna