This topic contains 17 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by 
kbraband 18 years, 1 month ago.
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I replied to a thread on a different forum this morning, and it made me wonder what others may be doing.
About 5-6 months ago, we committed to saving energy, to help the environment. I’m not here to debate whether or not it needs saving, this is NOT the thread for that. Anywho, to do our part, I started to shut down our computer (PC, Printer, Monitor, Powered sub, speakers, and camera dock) when not in use. We immediately noticed a lower kilowatt usage the following month. In fact, for the next three months we noticed a drop in our electric bill of $12-$15. Because of this, we decided to see what else we could unplug around the house. We unplugged a few more things and are now saving $25-$30 a month every month!!! The only inconvenience for this money savings is that we have to wait two minutes for the computer to boot every time we need it. Big deal!
So, I’m curious. Have you done anything to go green? Keep in mind this is not the place to debate the environment. Whether you think it needs help or not, everyone can use a little cold hard cash in their pockets. What would you do with an extra $30 a month? What would you do with $100? Yes, I said $100. We tried to be as green as we could before we made this commitment, turning off lights and using florescent bulbs and many other things as well. So, just imagine what you could save. Maybe enough for a very nice geovacation at the end of the year?!?!?
When we head north to Camp Sqa-ta-lot, we turn off the electricity in the cabin (except for the fridge) and run the propane lanterns. I love it….up there. Here, I want heat and POWER!
Seriously, I just went through the house and turned off all kinds of stuff (like the iron my wife left running)
I noticed a huge electric savings when I switched from a desktop to a laptop for my main computer. When I flipped over the power brick on the laptop I seen why.
The laptop is only using a 60watt power supply for everything, and thats only when I have it plugged in. A normal desktop uses 250-450watt power supply just in the tower/case, then you have speakers & a monitor sucking power too.I also noticed a big difference in power use when I switched the whole house to compact fluorescent bulbs.
I noticed a significant savings when I bought a new heavy duty extension cord and attached it to my neighbor’s outdoor outlet. I may purchase another one. 😆
8) Its amazing how much money you save when you jump out your meter for a few days.
Since I work for the state’s energy conservation program … I guess I better speak up …
Check out this website: http://www.focusonenergy.com/
Click on [Where you live] for residential stuff.The biggest “no brainer” economically … is to replace your regular (incandescent) light bulbs with CFLs … you can get them for almost nothing these days, after the rebate you can get of $2 per bulb.
Here’s the form for the rebate: http://www.focusonenergy.com/data/common/dmsFiles/R_EP_FORM_2dollarMailInCouponCFLsv2.pdfChanged the light bulbs. Also use a string of decorative lights in the evening instead of lamps.
Usually unplug any appliance not being used. That has been more for fire prevention than conservation but saves.
Bought “green” cloth bags and use them for each trip to the grocery store. Paid $2 for those and get 5 cents back each time I use one.
We recycle and compost. Mulched leaves instead of bagging them.
Plastic over windows, wrapped the water heater and all the usual stuff.
Need to start counting up all the money we are saving and put it toward a geotrip…
I have been switching to the CFLs as our incandesents burn out. I also replaced almost all of our windows. A couple big ones left to go, but those will have to be done professionally and when we can afford them. An old leaking toilet will be replaced soon as well.
@Energy Saver wrote:
Since I work for the state’s energy conservation program … I guess I better speak up …
The biggest “no brainer” economically … is to replace your regular (incandescent) light bulbs with CFLs …
I have been looking for LED spotlights for a commercial track lighting system (to reduce heat and use less energy). Do you know of a good brand or source, or if that technology is even yet available?
We’ve been kind of green for ages. I have also started turning off power strips for the computer. We still haven’t turned on the heat here. 🙄
Do the cloth bags, reuse instead of toss, etc. I really struggle with the hobby and the high amount of fossil fuel it requires of us, though. One of those deals where we don’t completely “walk the talk.”Oh, the other big thing we do is try to eat organic and buy local. All of our produce during the growing season came from our small farm community supported agriculture share, grown less than 50 miles from here (in the beautiful Kickapoo Valley!) Before I met Trekkin’, I was a pretty hardcore coop vegetarian, and after reading “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” a few months ago, it made me really think about how what we choose to eat has a huge impact on our environment. Food for thought! 😉
@energysaver wrote:
Here’s the form for the rebate: http://www.focusonenergy.com/data/common/dmsFiles/R_EP_FORM_2dollarMailInCouponCFLsv2.pdf
Thanks…
Regarding LED Spot or Flood Lights … try this source, but keep in mind the prices are still pretty high, since the technology is fairly new:
http://www.besthomeledlighting.com/led_light_bulbsRegarding Changing to CFLs when your lights burn out … Why wait for your bulbs to burn out? … Sounds like your trying to not “waste” the last 20 cents of “value” in your old incandescent bulb; yet your missing on the energy savings in the mean time, which can be up to $12 per year … on larger bulbs, but typically at least $5 per year. Don’t wait … a CFL can pay for itself in a few months(assuming you send in for the rebate) … after that you’re money ahead. A fact sheet on CFLs: http://www.focusonenergy.com/data/common/dmsFiles/R_EP_MKFS_LightingFactSheetv30807.pdf
Bought a Prius 2 years ago. Average 50 mpg; great for caching runs, except when the pavement ends… hike in. Also changed most lights to CF bulbs. You can also buy carbon offset credits (places like Terrapass.com) which will in effect invest the money in green energy sources and projects based on how much you personally pollute.
@kent1915 wrote:
Bought a Prius 2 years ago. Average 50 mpg; great for caching runs, except when the pavement ends… hike in. Also changed most lights to CF bulbs. You can also buy carbon offset credits (places like Terrapass.com) which will in effect invest the money in green energy sources and projects based on how much you personally pollute.
Yesterday morning on the Wall Street Journal Today they were talking about the hybrid vehicles. They had mentioned the Prius and said that driving an average of 10,000 miles per year at an average cost of $2.75 per gallon will only take you 18 years to recover your investment. Have you crunched any numbers to to see how long it will take your recovery? I’m kind of curious.
@furfool wrote:
… average of 10,000 miles per year at an average cost of $2.75 per gallon will only take you 18 years to recover your investment …
So gas will only be $2.75 during the next 18 years 😯
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