Day One: Not So Bad

Well, Day One of the new 30 days of our current family project was not so bad. The weather cooperated for most of the day by not being so hot that we sat inside gasping for air without the air conditioning. Quite honestly, I think we only ran the thing about 6 hours yesterday, including two at night to cool the house down (it was 79 degrees at 10PM) before going to bed.

I do think that stove usage got us yesterday. It ran extensively, almost for 3 hours straight, because after all, August is still August, and in most Augusts all over the world the harvest is coming in, at least in some form. I spent 2 hours yesterday canning new potatoes that will be eaten in slow increments in soups and stews over the winter. However, to do this, I had to have the stove on, so I'm sure that will not help the bill.

Now, to compensate for this, I cooked dinner not using any part of the stove, though later on I did make a vat of tea (we make our tea in about 5-quart batches, since we drink so much of it, it's just cheaper that way). Hamburgers went on the grill and homemade fries in the deep-fryer. Not the healthiest meal, I know, but hey, we had everything on hand to do it and none of it needed the stove!
Various other appliances were used, mostly in the evening yesterday, including the desktop computer for about 2 hours and the television for about 2 hours. I have to say, we're really enjoying once again having both of those on at the same time, but we'll see what the energy bill brings, and what energy we have managed to save this month. More than likley, we'll gasp and run down to the basement to trip the circuit breakers.

Thank you everyone, have a good day! :)

Onward to Week 2!

(Originally published at lifetimeprojects.wordpress.com on July 27, 2011)

Well, week one of the family project ended with a bit of a bang – as I closed the windows despite the lower temperatures outside and turned on the A/C to allow everyone at least 3 hours of sleep. Despite being in the mid-60′s last night, the temperature inside the house stayed at a steady 77 degrees well into the wee morning hours. When I checked it at 2:00AM, it had actually gone up to 78, and showed no signs of going down.
I find it extremely embarrassing when one can almost feel the thermostat sticking its tongue out at you and mocking your efforts to save energy.
So, long story short, all the windows were closed, the A/C was turned on, and then and only then did the uncomfortable sounds of rustling around and searching for a comfortable position cease from the bedrooms. It may be because everyone finally slept in the cooler air. Then again, it might be because I was asleep myself after that, so I didn’t hear anything.
I am, however, extremely proud of the fact that despite not-to-cool temperatures yesterday, the A/C that had been turned off Monday night in an effort to save energy (and since the temperature was going down to 68) was not turned back on until almost 7:00PM, then off again at 10:00PM. The reason for turning it on at 7:00PM was because it was 84 in the house, and while the temperature was bearable and had been bearable all day, bearing it while standing over 3 burners on the stove attempting to cook dinner was just not possible, and I wimped.
But, other than that, all remains well – appliances are still unplugged 90% of the time, and I have even begun using the front door instead of the garage door (which used to be our main door) when I need to go outside for something, to avoid using the energy for opening the garage door. The only part of this project that is beginning to drag on people is the fact that it’s either/or for the TV and computer.  Something tells me that this rule won’t see it through until the end of the project.
Side note: updated recently on this blog was The Garden Chronicles, the ongoing saga of the 2011 Family Garden and all its escapades, as well as any bulk deals on produce/farmers market goings-on and what happens with it. Tune in for more later!