So now that I have captured some followers ( hopefully there will be lots more to join soon) I would like to tackle some topics that I find very important ....not only to my life personally but, my community and the world.
We all have heard the media "buzzwords" global warming, going green, sustainable living, alternative energy etc. We have even been bombarded with these terms from both sides of the coin...Pro and Con. So much so that I think people have started to turn a deaf ear!
Disclaimer......I don't think extremes work!!! I am not trying to turn anyone into some tree hugging hippie who must give up their car and ride a bike everywhere, stop shaving legs and arm pits and totally "live off the grid". However I am not condemning those who choose this life style.
My Belief....we can all make small changes in our every day life that can had up to huge savings...not only for our wallets but our communities and the general public at large.
Saving electricity:
If your parents were anything like mine we got in trouble for not turning off the lights...not really because they were thinking about saving electricity but about saving money. I am glad I was brought up this way because it continues to resonate in my life today.....not only do I save money by turning off unnecessary lights...I also think of the consequences from saving some energy. The more energy I save the less coal is burned for my electricity. ( since I live in the south most of our electric comes from coal burning plants)
I have energy efficient light bulbs in everything in my house...granted more expensive than the traditional light bulbs but we would only purchase one pack at a time as our budget allowed.
The thermostat is set at 70 in the summer and 68 in the winter. So we dress accordingly in the house we put on a sweater if chilly or remove something if warm. I absolutely LOVE that time of year when you can throw open the doors and windows and just let the breeze blow through....unfortunately over the course of this year there has not been many days we could do that it seems as if we went straight from having the heat on to having the AC on!
When I go to bed I turn off the TV, cable box and unplug my computer...why have the cable box on while I am asleep???
I try to do laundry and run the dishwasher in the evening after the temps have cooled down, this is also when I do my baking, this is putting less strain on the grid. ( The power company in my area has started charging different rates depending on the time of day you are using electricity....so it costs more to do these things during the day.)
As far as "big" things go we do have energy efficient washer, dryer and refrigerator in the house. I tried to buy and energy efficient range but come to find out they are not rated. I would like to be able to say that my AC unit is up to date and the most energy efficient model but unfortunately that is not in my budget! Ok, Ok, I admit I do not have the best windows either...but during the heat of the day I keep my blinds and curtains closed to keep out the sunlight which in-turn keeps the house cooler. I have ceiling fans in just about every room that help circulate the air.
After reading all this you may be thinking to your self..." why on earth is this lady telling me all this simple stuff??"
Well here is why...... my home is approximately 1100sq ft. My highest electric bill for the year has been $119. And if you have been paying attention to the weather in the southeast you know how hot it has been here this summer!!!
Why does this matter to you, my electric bill doesn't directly affect you? Correct! I mean I am the one who has to pay it every month so why should you care??
Imagine for just a moment that every one would pick just one of these things I have listed above to do, how much electric could we collectively save???
Are we going to be able to solve the world's energy crisis by turning off one light? No, but it has been proven that conservation can do more to help solve the energy crisis than any other form of energy production!!
It may seem as if I am telling you to throw a pebble into the ocean...it won't make a big splash....but it will cause many ripples!!!
Now that I have shared my energy saving tips with you.....let me know what you do to save energy!!
Missy has inspired her father and myself to incorporate a few of these ideas into our own household and they have made a world of difference.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Starting small and improving little by little is the best way to do things. It's hard to make big and extreme changes when you're saving electricity. But going by a pace that won't trouble you is the best way to save effectively and comfortably.
ReplyDelete-Victor Wetherbee