The movement toward a green, low-environmental impact lifestyle continues. 

 Ongoing Projects

The low-flow bathroom faucet aerators that I purchased for 55 cents do not fit our faucets, so I’ll have to find adapters.  I found tapered regular-base sized torpedo compact fluorescent bulbs for the master bathroom and for the chandelier in the music room at energyfederation.org for $2.99 each; they are of course installed in the bathroom, and look great.  I also found and ordered small-base torpedo bulbs for the various hallway lights around the house at Modern Danish  However there is a delay in the install in the music room because they are not to be used with the dimmer switch.  So I purchased a new switch and should have it installed soon.  We received a credit card offer for $100 cash back after our first purchased, so I ordered an energy-star ceiling fan from iwantcleanair.org for $115 to replace the old one over the kitchen table.  That has arrived and is awaiting installation.  In the basement, I purchased an Energy Star rated dehumidifier, and we have yet to install the programmable thermostat and move it from the den interior wall to the family room interior wall, where it belongs.

The effects on our budget are becoming obvious.  Our water bill has gone from 10,000 to 8,000 gallons/quarter, reducing our cost for water by about $20/quarter.  Our electricity consumption is more stable, and on average now below 660 kwh/mo.  We haven’t had to pay an electric bill I two months because on the current budget plan we pay too uch each month.  Compared to last year, where the 7-mo average before Nov was 100.44 kwh/mo.  This improvement belies the fact that we have yet to turn on the central air conditioner, but Jan and Feb 2007 were 828 and 888 kwh, compared to 660 and 648 this year.  The trend continued in Mar and April, with Mar 2008 being only 649 kwh compared to 2007 at 720 kwh, and April 2008 being only 576 kwh and compared to 696 in 2007.  Total savings to date (first quarter)?  $55.70.  While that is something, I want to do better.  I am having difficulty locating a supplier of solar panes.

Our natural gas consumption is variable with weather, and it’s been on average colder this year than last.  Nevertheless, the 3-month average MCF per day in 2008 was 0.4633, compared to 0.507 in 2007.  We should see a greater savings now that we have ordered and installed a GE Profile High-Efficiency Gas Dryer.  This purchase was a brilliantly engineered steal…. I waited until Home Depot put the dryer on sale at 10%; I then purchased $800 worth of Home Depot Gift Cards from Giant Eagle (our local grocery store chain).  Giant Eagle gives you 10 cents off a gallon of gasoline for every $50 you spend, up to 30 gallons.  With groceries and other gift card purchases, we enjoyed $2.10 off per gallon.  We bought all 30 gallons, as well, as I have four 5-gallon gas tanks.  Where or where is my electric car?   Anyway,  I made the purchase of the gift cards with my Citicard 6% cash back card, and then purchased the gasoline with the same card.  In the final analysis, counting the savings on gasoline, the $800 gas dryer ended up costing us only $600.  The astute reader will complain that our wanton consumption of cheap gasoline is not green, by any means, and they are correct.  I try to telecommute to work at least one day a week; we buy ahead on groceries to cut down on trips, and you'll recall that I traded in my cushy Hyundai Sonata for a less spectacular, more practical Accent.

With gas prices rising, it is gratifying to watch the entire US finally waking up to the need to reduce their consumption of gasoline.  However, the cost savings in gasoline allows us to afford and start using the EthosFR Fuel Reformulator in the Vibe and the Accent.  Much more on this product soon; bottom line, it works just as advertised.  If you’d like to purchase a bottle, please contact me, I’m a “Director” in their network marketing.

Update: 5/5/2008: For the price of a home-cooked meal over the weekend, the light switch has been swapped out in the music room, and the chandelier bulbs look great.  Thanks, Jeremy! 

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