Yesterday, while paying the electric bill online, we realized we have been in our current apartment for more than a year — meaning that, thanks to our city's utility site, we could compare our energy usage between 2008 and 2009. Since we've moved in, we have gradually changed the lightbulbs to CFLs (saving the other lightbulbs because we'll trade 'em when we move out), worked on taking shorter showers, adjusted the water heater temperature, put an end to vampire power, stopped using the hair dryer in the warm months, and used central air/heat only when absolutely necessary. And guess what?
Numbers don't lie: By making the small changes that really have very little impact on the way we live our daily lives, the numbers tell us that we ARE saving energy and money.
From March 2008 to March 2009, we reduced our usage by more than 100 KWH. That equals around $8 savings. Between March 2009 and April 2009 (our most recent bill; we added even more CFLs and used zero A/C; we also unplugged appliances when not in use), we dropped energy usage by 260 KWH, saving $25!
We wanted to share this with you because it shows that even small moves do make a difference. Numbers don't lie, and none of the changes we've made have been difficult to keep up. And just looking at our own savings (and knowing that saving money translates to using fewer resources) inspires us to keep working and get that number even lower.
Have you noticed savings of your own?
Image via sxc.hu by dinny.
We have a monthly average system of payment, based on normal heat and electric usage. After six months, they reviewed our actual usage and reduced our monthly payment. We use 15% less energy than the estimated average for our 1000 square foot single-family dwelling. It feels good to have used less energy than we expected.
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Last year my goal was to reduce my home's electricy consumption by 20%. I have an all electric kitchen and thought that the goal was high but decided to do it anyway. I also wanted to keep all of my electric appliances which weren't energy star but were too new to ditch. I found that changing habits and a few cheap home improvements like new lightbulbs were what made the difference. I reduced my electric use for the year by 32%!
view Condo Blues's profile