Saturday, October 20, 2012

Conservation Makes A Difference

Since the Princess went off to school, I've been on a mission to get my household bills down. You'd think it would be super easy right? Less people equals less consumption, but that's not necessarily the case. For groceries, I'm still buying fill in snacks and stuff for her to keep in the dorm room (honestly, I'd rather her open a box of Special K popcorn chips  or Chef Boyardee than head to the nearest Sonic for Cheesy Tots -- lets TRY not to make the Freshman Fifteen the Freshman Thirty, you know?). For the power bill, well, it still costs the same to run the refrigerator, the porch light at night and the TV, regardless of how many people are in the house.

Nevertheless, in some ways power consumption can decrease. I've unplugged all electronics in her room. She plugs them back in when she comes home for the weekend. I've made a conscious effort to have appliances that aren't used on a regular basis unplugged until they are needed. I've made SURE that lights aren't left burning when they aren't being utilized.

And now I've seen some tangible results --- I opened my power bill this morning.... $48.61 --- that's down from $63.57  for the same period last year!!!!! Let me tell you, I did the HAPPY DANCE!!!!! That's roughly a 23% reduction in costs, with rate increases included! Of course, not running the heat or AC for the past month has helped!

This morning, I woke up and it was a chilly 63 in my house. Some of you may scoff at that temp, but remember, I'm a Southern Girl -- and that is CHILL-EE down here! Anyway, I was a bit tempted to turn on the heat just to take the bite out of the morning chill, but instead, I pulled on a sweatshirt and my socks and slippers. Opening that bill this morning has strengthened my resolve and I am now in a competition with myself to see how long I can go without turning on the heat..... I'm curious as to how long I can do it!

5 comments:

  1. I am doing the same thing with the heat challenge. My goal is to not turn it on at all unless it snows and just layer sweatshirts and pants. I am michigan girl though who just recently moved to Atlanta, so the cold is in my blood.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. I know there is NO way I could make it through the winter without the heat, but I'm going to go as long as I can!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. We haven't turned on the heat yet and are hoping to make it til the middle of November when my niece visits. We like the cold though so it really doesn't bother us to much

    ReplyDelete
  4. lol I know you said "no scoffing" but please indulge me. It's down to 32 a lot of nights here! So we've been keeping the thermostat at 60 and zone heating.

    I really wish I lived in a country where I could move to a warmer climate AND eat at Sonic's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if I'll be able to take it at 60 --- hit 62 inside this morning and I was once again tempted, but "toughed" it out --- of course it has warmed up nicely to 76 this afternoon and I'm currently sitting on my porch with the doors opened in a tshirt, shorts and bare feet. Such is "Fall" in Alabama.

      Delete