As gas prices remain high, here is a hint to save BIG, around the house. Energy costs are cheaper earlier in the morning than in the afternoon. Try to use major appliances including the Oven, early in the morning rather than later in the day.
I've been throwing a load of laundry in first thing in the morning for the last few years. I didn't realize it affected my energy costs, but it sure does help me actually get it finished! LOL Thanks for the tip. Another good reason to do my cooking first thing in the a.m.
Also, a Crock Pot saves energy over using the oven. Try to use a Crock Pot when you can. It also saves lots of time.
The same applies here, depending on a persons plan. But we work on a tier system. Still, because our heat gets so high, if everybody is using major appliances during the peek of heat, we have a black or brown out. So asking us to wash, cook, or whatever in the morning is to keep everybody from overloading the plants that give up power. Plus, the AC has to work a lot harder in the middle of the day. So if we add all our other appliances on top of it, there just isn't enough electricity to go around; assuming everybody is using them at the same time.
Either way, it seems the utility companies NEVER lose. When all else fails ... I guess we'll just have to pray those bills get lower.
...and chances are they never will. As long as we are dependent on them for our utilities, we have to pay their price.:?
The eco - friendly house we are planning on building on our return to Oz will save us up from ever having to pay for utilities ever again We will be reliant on water tanks, solar and wind power. Looking forward to it !
Many people around here are tryin to us windmills for their electricity. We have a lot of wind and it can really blow. The only problem is, the city strongly regulates who can put one in because they are also noisy.
Yeah- they can certainly be noisy. We will be living out of a rural town, on quite a few acres and thankfully the local council is a very "green" one, so are very encouraging to those who wish to not hook up gas/electric/water and who want to be self sufficient.
The town next to us is ran by our city but the codes are a bit different. Most people in the town have at least five acres and up. Still, some people are allowed to put the windmills up and some aren't. If it isn't the noise, the city says it is that it ruins the scenery.:| They always have an excuss. I would think the city would welcome windmills.
I miss Phoenix. We were on the Power Saver plan where energy savings dropped to 30% cost between the hours of 9pm and 9am. I'd throw a load of laundry in before i went to bed, and then into the dryer when my kids got up at the crack of dawn. We'd always run our DW and stuff then too. I LOVED IT. It was so bright there, that except for the AC, nothing had to be on during the day, either. WAAAAHHHHH!!!!! Where we are in PA doesn't matter...a watt is a watt is a watt no matter when it's used. OH well.
So, when can my family and I move in with you??? I think that's GREAT---hope all the plans and building it goes well!
Your welcome anytime.. Plans are coming along nicely...on our 12th set already...lol DH is hoping to take Oct + Nov off, and we are planning on finalising our plans so we can send them back to Oz to be approved. So far the plan is to have 4 HUGE water tanks, solar power, wind power, recycled grey water, waterless toilets etc... We also plan on growing much of our own food. If you ever fancy a trip Down Under- you will be more than welcome. Here is one view of our block.
sgilli3, your block is BEAUITFUL!!!!!! Does a block mean the same thing as your parcel? Now I feel silly asking but can you please explain to me how waterless toilets work?
I guess it does...lol Its the parcel (?) of land we have bought. Usually big areas of land is divided up for sale..and they call it "blocks", so I think it is the same as parcel. Here is some info on waterless loos. We are also installing a shower which re circulates the water ( via a filter). Living in a country that is severely affected by drought, we feel it necessary ( especially in a "new" build), to put in place water saving devices http://www.rotaloo.com/ http://www.quenchshowers.com/home.asp Glad you love it Patty- you are also welcome to visit !!
Wow! That is incredible!!! Thanks for the links. Around here most people have a septic tank. We have a small tank and recently, more like a couple of months ago, had it pumped. Let me tell you, YUK!!! I knew the very second they opened the lids. LOL
