Riot for Austerity

[helwen]

I have to say I don't really keep track of the numbers anymore. We got to a certain point and stopped and are just kind of working away at things as we go, like eating more local foods, etc. But since a few other folks whose blogs I read are doing the numbers, I checked our electric use since we moved. It's a little tricky because our washing machine and our hallway light are on the downstairs power, but I use the machine as efficiently as possible (it actually has different speeds, temps and water levels) and we try not to use the hallway light very much anyway, to keep down the folk's bill. Anyway, highest months of usage were January and September for some reason. Average is 272 KwH per month, 3275 KwH for a 12-month period. Without trying particularly hard we're at 30% of the average American's usage, which is 10,800 KwH. Not too shabby.

Comments

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

September would be your post-Pennsic washing?

[helwen.livejournal.com]

*chuckle* No, got that done in August, which was one of our lower months interestingly. But it might be because of printing out cards and stuff for Fall Festival.

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

Looking at my November bill - from Nov 2007, daily kWh: Nov,Feb,Mar,Apr,May,Oct,Nov were 15 (approx 500/mo), Dec, Jan, Sep were 17, and Jun, Jul were 18 & 22. I'm guessing I use around 6,500-7,000 per year. My energy usage in the last few months should be going down due to some changes I've made so it will be interesting to see what next year shows.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, L and I were talking in the car and he was thinking maybe we should try record-keeping again, to see how we're doing with some things. So, off I go to find that old Excel spreadsheet... and a new logbook for the car.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I have to say that getting a new refrigerator and installing compact fluorescent bulbs has made a HUGE difference: electrical use here at the Shack is down by 25% over last year. I'm still somewhat in shock, let me tell you.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

I hear you! Going into a meltdown was the best thing our old fridge could have done, for sure (plus it was dark brown, but anyway...) -- although I'm glad it didn't happen the first couple of years after we bought the house. You've been able to do some really good things with your house in the past couple of years.

[freya46.livejournal.com]

I know that my electric bill dropped drastically after I put in a more efficient air conditioner. And now that the fridge has been replaced, it should drop more.

I've been changing out my bulbs as they burn out. And I try to buy locally grown stuff too. :-)

[helwen.livejournal.com]

And you're also a carpooler and make meals from scratch :)

I like how some of the best environmental and healthy moves are also often the most economical ones as well.