Our electric bill at a record low!

I forgot to mention this in the last post, but in January I think it was, our electric bill was $60.00. That's the lowest it's been in a LONG time, several years in fact.

Just as a review, here's what we do, and we're not altogether consistant with it, so we're still working on it. And by the way, my son started using the dryer the following month, and it DOUBLED!

+ We switched all light bulbs to compact fluorescent.

+ We unplug absolutely EVERYTHING at night, except the refrigerator and freezer (that includes the mirowave, both TV's, cable boxes, the computer, toaster, coffeepot, etc).

+ I keep the microwave, toaster, and any other small kitchen appliances unplugged except when directly in use.

***Remember!!! These kinds of electric appliances draw phantom loads of energy even when they are turned off. You must either plug them into a power strip and turn the strip off, or unplug them from the wall.***

I think I read that if you don't unplug them, they still draw up to 85% of the energy they use when they are turned on. So you are only saving 15% by turning them off.

+ We stopped using the dryer and started line drying our clothes all year round. In winter, we hang the clothes in front of our woodstove, which sits in what passes for a foyer. So, I try to wash clothes at night and put them away during the day.

+ We turn off all lights that are not directly in use.

+ We don't use hair dryers except for about less than 60 seconds that it takes to fluff my now getting very long hair and style the bangs.

+ The girls *do* use hair straighteners, but they keep them unplugged when not in use.