That number above is bound to go up. The sultry, sweaty months of DC summer are only a few months away. And the icy chill of Snowmaggedon could return next winter. Both extremes demand a lot of our rickety old AC and heat pump unit. We’ve been lucky the last month with the weather blissfully mild enough not to even touch our thermostat. The number on our electric bill must be a seasonal anomaly. There’s no way we could maintain it in a 2-bedroom condo with all the conveniences we take for granted—central air, clothes washer and dryer, fridge, dishwasher, TV, laptop. And there’s certainly no way that number could go down…or is there?
Since I already discovered that the typical DIY energy audit turns a cold shoulder to apartment dwellers, I tried a new web search this week and found this kitschy, yet pretty helpful list on the Ontario Tenants Rites site. This guy digs deep and identifies the little energy wasters that the high falootin’ audits gloss over. Who thinks about saving energy by using the low heat setting on the hair dryer or refraining from opening the oven door to check on cookies? He even includes the formulas for manually figuring out the energy each appliance uses. Awe-Some.
To motivate myself to make changes, even some small ones, I’m sharing two lists: the good and the bad. Putting the good out there (stuff I’m already doing) will hopefully make tackling the bad (stuff I’m neglecting or ignoring) seem not so impossible, even when my budget’s saying no to any big purchases.
Good
Electronics plugged into power strips and turned off when not using
CFLs in all light fixtures
Insulating curtains on one window that receives full sun for most of the day
Energy Star windows installed last August
Thermostat at 68 in winter, 74 in summer, off in spring/fall!
Living room heated with wood-burning fireplace
Microwave unplugged when not in use
Bad
Poor insulation and weather stripping on front door
Oven used too much for quick heating—need a toaster oven!
Poor seal and non-Energy Star glass on balcony door
No Energy Star appliances—clothes washer, oven, dishwasher all energy hogs
High heat setting on the hairdryer
Clothes dryer runs a lot—no place to hang an outdoor line
Printer always turned on when laptop is on
Only one ceiling fan—doesn’t circulate enough air to cool entire apartment
Coffee maker instead of a French press
Electric range instead of gas
Sometimes toast only one slice of bread at a time—energy in second slot wasted
Large refrigerator
I love the idea of making a good and bad list ... and I may *steal* it :) Seriously, I think this activity is at the heart of a proper DIY energy audit.
ReplyDeleteSteal away! I was getting bogged down in the more technical energy auditing lingo and feeling kind of helpless. This basic exercise helped me get back on the horse. I wonder if it would be helpful for couples/families to post these kinds of lists somewhere around the house where it's seen every day. Like some of us have noted, it's sometimes difficult to get other members of our households as enthused as we are. A family list-making party could be a way to involve everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy thought on action within families is that often different family members bring initiatives to the table, but that rarely do those initiatives become "family-wide" projects (i.e. postable) unless they bring with them COST SAVINGS (however cost is defined).
ReplyDeleteCosts within my family, for instance, include TIME, $$, and HAPPINESS.
Great ideas, Brynn! I especially love the French Press coffee idea. I have a French Press, somewhere under the sink, and I am going to start using it again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the bit about toasting two pieces of toast made me laugh. I never thought about wasting energy in terms of my whole wheat slice....
Thanks!