Loving numbers, graphs and statistics, I thought it might be perfect last year when the local electric company sent a survey and began offering personalized recommendations for changes I could make to reduce electric usage. I set a goal and estimated that I could, under ideal conditions (like being out of town often and never cooking), use 10% less. This would surely translate into cost savings, which would ultimately equal more shoes. Know thyself.
Like clockwork, Alabama Power sends my Energy Savings Report at the end of the each month, comparing my actual kilowatt usage to other similarly sized/aged homes and average temperatures. Instead of cutting my power by 10%, I've consistently used 25-30% more than expected. Tips follow, so that I might become aware of my energy shortcomings.
Alright, already. It's hot and I'm sweaty - stop with the constant nagging. I'll leave all the lights on and you'll like it!
4 comments:
Solar panels!
I was food shopping in Fred Meyer but accidentally passed the jewelry section. Where I saw amidst all the jewelry little jeweled shoes! The perfect item for women--shoes and jewels together in one fabulous concoction.
They are business card holders. I bought several so now I can't afford real shoes. Or electricity. I will try to insert a picture on my blog.
Loach: excellent idea, though I'm not sure that technology has hit Alabama yet. ;)
Flooz: sparkly things make the world a better place.
Here's a little history from far away in re utilities and cutting back: When I lived in Northern CA, one year there was a fearsome drought, during which the local water utility (along with all the powers that were) begged customers to voluntarily reduce water usage so that we could keep pumping oceans of water to Southern CA to keep their desert lawns green. People responded by cutting back way more than expected - 47%, as I recall. A head of the utility exclaimed in horror that if consumption stayed THAT low, the utility would have to raise rates to keep its revenue healthy. From all sides, horrified calumny poured forth upon the poor man for being counter-productive in this emergency. He was soon gone. Then the utility raised rates...
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