So, we got our electricity bill for July. Can it really truly be or has there been some mistake? Is it really possible that I have LOWERED my electric bill by $40 from June to July? No way!
Every year, without fail, our electric bills go up progressively from April all the way until about October. Typicall the highest month is September for some reason. At least it has been for the past 3 years. BUT, somehow, some way, I have managed to lower our bill this year from June to July! Yiiiippeeee!!!! Forty dollars may not be much for some people. Its a months worth of lattes maybe. I consider that a small feat. Typically, our electric bill would have jumped up about $50. So, in actuality I saved $90. Right? I will admit, I was totally surprised when I saw the bill. I even had to jump online and look at my lat month bill...yep I did lower my bill. How the hell did I do that? I don't have a river behind my house that powers our electricity or anything. Here's what I did differently (and not to any discomfort either):
1. Upon leaving the house I raise the thermostat to 82 degrees. Out of a 28 day cycle this actually gets done maybe 20 days. Honestly, sometimes I come home and it hasn't even gotten to 82 degrees in the house - it might still be at 80 degrees or so. When I get home I lower it to 78 degrees. Yes, I read somewhere that is the "energy efficient" number. lol Lately, its been going down to 76 though no efficient. Summers in Houston are BRU-TAL!
2. About 40% of the light bulbs in the house are now energy saver lights, but that can't make that much of a difference can it?
3. I try to wash and dry clothes only at night. I'm not entirely sure what the benefits of this is exactly, but I read it somewhere and so decided to do it. Again, out of say 30 loads, I wash about 22-25 of them at night.
4. Months ago we bought a high efficiency washer and dryer. Maybe it takes a few months to kick in?
5. At night and before I leave the house for work I walk through the entire house and turn off unnecessary lights. Common lights that are left on are: front and back patio lights, garage light, pantry light, hall light, guest bathroom, closets, stove light, desk light. Apparently, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I do my run through about 95% of the time.
6. WE HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF THE COMPUTER! Again, I read this somewhere in some environmental article no doubt, and I started doing it. Maybe people do know what they write about....sometimes.
7. I stopped buying bulbs for my youngest son's night light. I know it seems cruel, but he is about to be 7, he'll live. And hey, we saved $90!
I think that is all, but honestly, none of that really seems like a big price to pay when you save a little money. I've known peopl with houses not much bigger than mine that end up with $300, $400 or $500 summer bills. I have to admit, I am quite proud of myself for lowering my electric bill AND it makes me feel a little greener too. =)
Showing posts with label going green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label going green. Show all posts
Friday, August 8, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Going Green!
Something I have been trying to educate myself on is "going green". We have started doing certain things. For instance:
1. We now collect plastic, cardboard and aluminum. My dad actually recycles plastic and cardboard, so we are not only helping out the environment but also his business. A definite plus. It is crazy the amount of plastic we go through - what with water bottles, soda bottles, shampoo, conditioner, cleaners, moisurizers...seriously. We use a lot more plastic than we think.
2. I have been buying more and more organic products. This is somewhat of a catch 22 sometimes. Things like canned goods are USDA certified and the USDAs rules for getting "certified" are a bit lax in some instances because or pressures from the corporate world. I have been looking in to farmer's markets and co-ops in our area and cannot wait to be able to partake! This will happen within the next two weeks.
3. We are in the process of switching to energy efficient light bulbs. There is a stash in our utility cabinet just waiting for the next light bulb to burn out so we can replace it.
4. We donate. Everytime we go through our closets we put things things that no longer fit or we no longer want in one of those donation boxes at the school or various parking lots.
5. I try to remember to higher our thermostat to the air conditioner every morning. I have to confess, I was in such a hurry this morning I forgot to today. I do try to remember every day. Typically, I go down the hall again, make sure the doors are closed and the lights are off and then glance over at the thermostat and higher it to about 82 degrees. Once we get home it goes down to between 75 ad 77 degrees, but I read 78 degrees is ideal, so I will have to try that and see if the fiance can handle that. Usually it is a constant war between us walking back and forth with me turning it up and him turning it down.
6. I have bought certain non-food organic products. My facial cleanser and my daily moisturizer are both Burts Bee. I have looked at the hair products, but that may be a little harder. If you know me, you know my hair is a constant battle because of its thickness and curlyness/frizziness.
7. I try to wash and dry clothes in the evening. I'm not completely positive why this is a tip of going green, but I have heard it enough to think I should be doing it. Same thing with filling up your gas tank.
8. Turning off the computer when not in use.
Things I want to do:
1. Plant a vegetable garden!
2. Make a compost bin!
The things we are doing so far does make me feel better. Everyone always wants to complain about the problem but not be part of the solution. So this is me and my family trying to make a step forward!
1. We now collect plastic, cardboard and aluminum. My dad actually recycles plastic and cardboard, so we are not only helping out the environment but also his business. A definite plus. It is crazy the amount of plastic we go through - what with water bottles, soda bottles, shampoo, conditioner, cleaners, moisurizers...seriously. We use a lot more plastic than we think.
2. I have been buying more and more organic products. This is somewhat of a catch 22 sometimes. Things like canned goods are USDA certified and the USDAs rules for getting "certified" are a bit lax in some instances because or pressures from the corporate world. I have been looking in to farmer's markets and co-ops in our area and cannot wait to be able to partake! This will happen within the next two weeks.
3. We are in the process of switching to energy efficient light bulbs. There is a stash in our utility cabinet just waiting for the next light bulb to burn out so we can replace it.
4. We donate. Everytime we go through our closets we put things things that no longer fit or we no longer want in one of those donation boxes at the school or various parking lots.
5. I try to remember to higher our thermostat to the air conditioner every morning. I have to confess, I was in such a hurry this morning I forgot to today. I do try to remember every day. Typically, I go down the hall again, make sure the doors are closed and the lights are off and then glance over at the thermostat and higher it to about 82 degrees. Once we get home it goes down to between 75 ad 77 degrees, but I read 78 degrees is ideal, so I will have to try that and see if the fiance can handle that. Usually it is a constant war between us walking back and forth with me turning it up and him turning it down.
6. I have bought certain non-food organic products. My facial cleanser and my daily moisturizer are both Burts Bee. I have looked at the hair products, but that may be a little harder. If you know me, you know my hair is a constant battle because of its thickness and curlyness/frizziness.
7. I try to wash and dry clothes in the evening. I'm not completely positive why this is a tip of going green, but I have heard it enough to think I should be doing it. Same thing with filling up your gas tank.
8. Turning off the computer when not in use.
Things I want to do:
1. Plant a vegetable garden!
2. Make a compost bin!
The things we are doing so far does make me feel better. Everyone always wants to complain about the problem but not be part of the solution. So this is me and my family trying to make a step forward!
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