Lucky members of Merched y Wawr from the Aberystwyth area wasted no energy devouring special savoury Welsh cakes made by Bake-off star Beca Lyne-Perkis today, with the help of a smart meter, in a demonstration of energy efficient cooking.
Beca has recently been exploring ways to save energy and money in the kitchen, with the assistance of smart meters. Smart meters come with a handy in-home display, which shows you in pounds and pence exactly how much energy you are using.
To help Merched y Wawr members stay thrifty and energy efficient, Beca was joined by Ben Lake MP to cook her special recipe for savoury Leek, Ham and Cheese Welsh Cakes that cost just four pence each in energy to make. As well as making a batch of cakes for Merched y Wawr members to enjoy, Beca and Ben were also on hand to share their tips for thrifty cooking, including how to preserve food and how to use a smart meter to help make energy visible and save money.
Beca, who is known across the country for her delicious, budget conscious, home-style cooking and recipes said:
“I was taught by my mother and grandmothers how to cook and I like to think I’m pretty good at managing my own budget, especially in the kitchen. I’ve learnt how to use seasonal products and to look in the fridge or the cupboard to create something tasty and never have any waste.
“This is something I’m very keen to pass on to my daughters. A smart meter makes the energy that you use when cooking more visible and so it’s easier to see exactly how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. Best of all it’s completely free from your energy supplier.”
Tegwen Morris, Merched y Wawr National Director, said:
“We all very much enjoyed the event with Beca and Ben, in particular it’s been really interesting to be reminded of how much energy we waste without even thinking about it and how new technology such as smart meters can support us to be more aware of what we’re wasting.”
Ben Lake MP said:
“I am confident that smart meters will give us all much more control of what we spend on gas and electricity, and finally put an end to estimated bills.
“I was delighted to see first-hand how smart meters will benefit my constituents and I would encourage everyone to call their energy supplier today and ask for an appointment to get their own smart meter fitted.”
Fflur Lawton, Head of Policy and Communications Wales at Smart Energy GB, said:
“Knowledge is power when it comes to saving energy, particularly in the kitchen where small changes, such as using a microwave instead of an oven to cook a baked potato, can add up to big savings. Smart meters give us the visibility we need to make these changes and to take control of our gas and electricity.”
Upgrade to a smart meter for free from your energy supplier.