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- Inverter fridges and efficient appliances consume less over their lifetime.
An approach, not a number: rather than promising savings figures, build a habit—track kWh monthly,
change one thing per month, and review after three months.
Water—store, save, and soften the shocks
- Install a tank + pump (common from 400–1,000 gallons). It’s resilience against NWC lock-offs
and droughts. - Harvest rainwater for garden and outdoor cleaning (mind gutters and first-flush systems).
- Fix leaks fast. A tiny drip becomes a hefty bill.
- Low-flow fixtures tame usage without misery.
Food—eat like a Jamaican, save like a CFO
- Cook big, freeze small. One curry goat becomes three meals.
- Plant a “yard kitchen.” Callaloo, hot pepper, thyme, scallion, tomato—low effort, high reward.
- Support farmers directly (farm-gate produce, community agriculture days).
- Seasonal rhythm. Mango madness is not the month for imported apples.
Mobility—move with less pain at the pump
- Choose fuel-efficient Japanese models if buying a car; maintain them well.
- For inter-parish trips, Knutsford Express or JUTA charters reduce fatigue and cost.
- Carpool on school and office routes; communities often build organic systems once someone
says, “Let’s try.”
Housing—design thrift into the walls
- Shade + breeze: trees, verandas, awnings, window orientation.
- Insulation and sealing reduce AC dependency.
- Ceiling fans in main rooms, solar water heaters, instant gas heaters as backup.
- Greywater re-use for lawns; permeable paving reduces runoff.
Waste & the island we love
Jamaica has restrictions on single-use plastics; lean into the spirit as well as the law.
- Reusable bags, bottles, and cups.
- Sort plastics for community drives; some parishes have collection days.
- Repair before replacing—tailors, cobblers, and welders still ply their craft.
The “save smart” system—weekly cadence
- Sunday: plan meals from what you have first; build the shopping list second.
- Wednesday: check meters (electricity/water) and record. Awareness drives behaviour.