Quick note before we begin: over the next few days / weeks, I’ll be posting old posts recovered from my previous website’s blog. I am doing this at my daughter’s request; as she enjoyed some of these posts. You’ll know it is an old post by the date in the title line, that is the date of the original post.
In my pursuit of happiness; or at least financial freedom. I have found that the costs associated with home ownership (not including the mortgage) can be reduced. The folks at Build it Solar; a site for do-it-your selfers, have put together a real nice website; full of information. I have found a lot of good ideas to help reduce my energy costs. A lot of what they have is common sense explained for simple folks (like me!). Check out their Half Plan for reducing cost and increasing your home’s efficiency. This is the list I’m working down. So what have I done? Let me tell you:
- Installed a storm door on my front door (faces northerly).
- When we remodeled; we used only high efficiency appliances and installed compact fluorescent lights.
- Insulated my outlets and installed removable plastic coverings on my northerly facing windows in winter.
- Put some lights on a timer; so they aren’t on all night.
- Also, we are trying to get better about turning lights off when not in use. I like a bright house – so this has been tough for me.
- Purchased a Kil-a-watt meter. Still having trouble figuring out how to use it, so if you know; fire off an email to me. I’d like to measure my electricy usage on stuff that isn’t always on.
I highly encourage anyone that is trying to become more self efficient to check out their website, I am going to continue working on my “half” plan as finances afford. FYI: There is also a tutorial on how to install solar shingles, which will be very helpful to me when I have to replace my roofing shingles!
Tessica
Okay I’m convinced. Let’s put it to aciotn.