Day 17 Save Electricity, Save Our Earth

The salon is super busy. There is a waiting list for last minute clients and I'm running shorter and shorter on time. EEEKKK.

We own an RV and during the summer it's a pretty cool source of fun for our family. I would rather camp in a tent but hubs isn't as much into that as I am. He enjoys the TV and a cold one from the handy fridge. And so we have the nifty rig parked in the yard when not on the road. But the batteries have to stay topped off (mostly so it's ready to use at a minute's notice) and there is the rub. It's another thing to plug into my home's electricity.

It feel so sinful when I find a way to get around the rules! He he he. I got a nifty trickle charger that has a small (12 inch x 12 inch) solar panel. Hubs altered it just a bit. After all, modification is his middle name. When we are not using the rig, the battery can stay topped up. This won't recharge a dead battery but it makes a nice accessory to help with the energy savings and electricity reduction plan around here.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 16 Electricity Reduction Made Simple

Simple is what I need these days. The Christmas holidays are here and I am NOT ready. No, it's not what you think. My gifts have all been purchased and they are neatly wrapped and stacked to make Christmas day easier. The plight this Christmas is that expenses have risen faster than income. As I look to formulate a budget for the year I am forced to make a few concessions. I'm not sure what they will be, but I know they must be far reaching to prepare for the year ahead.

The electricity challenge has helped take the edge off and I hope to keep up the habit once the month is over. Perhaps do a once a year checkup and add some new behaviors to the bag of tricks.

So, simple things are better these days. I've got a lot on my mind. This is where timers come into play. I like the idea of timers. Lights make it appear like someone is home to ward off burglars. Well, these little gadgets can also make sure that lights don't stay on too long. I like the idea of having outdoor lighting on timers. Likewise the entry door and bedroom light. I picked up extra "timer dogs" so that my outdoor lights could run through a couple of different cycles, which cut out an hour or so of lighting time. Yippee!

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 15 Erin is Moving Forward to Saving

I know, this one seems a little silly. Even my hubs was like, "That's stretching it."

Don't care! I'm into the savings and the way I see it, this one will save some. I have scads of low voltage lights on one side of the house. All of these units have 18w bulbs in them. Back when they were installed, I wanted it , well, BRIGHT. The truth is I don't spend much time out there at night and they really don't need to be that bright. Several of the bulbs have burned out and it's time to fix them. This time I'm putting 4w bulbs in the light fixtures.

The savings may be small, but they are mine all the same.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 14 of Erin Snyder Dixon's Electricity Reduction Challenge

In areas where there is little ambient light, I am installing solar lighting. In trying to design the plan, I found that only half of my yard gets adequate midday sun to recharge the solar lights. That actually worked in my favor. Low voltage lights will remain on one side and solar will go on the other, and around the swimming pool.

The Solar post lights on either side of the driveway gate turned out very well and I think I will be happy with them. I'm not sure of the savings they should garner.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 8 Counting Electrical Savings

This will take some getting used to. I intend to use the microwave more.

The microwave takes less energy than heating up the oven. I went online and purchased some cooking items made just for the microwave. http://tinyurl.com/6c5pqt

I'll give microwaving pizza a shot and see if my family diggs it. i can't promise I'll be cooking entire meals in it. After all, I love to cook and it brings me great joy.

It just means I'll be saving the oven for when I can cook several things at once. While I'm at it, I'll set one of my timers (everyone knows how much I love little digital kitchen timers) so that I don't leave it preheating too long.

The moral of the story is to use the appropriate tool for the job. Why heat up a TV dinner in the oven when it can be done in the microwave?

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

Day 7 of My Fabulously New Low Electric Bill

Wow, I'm really getting into this now! You guys have been great spurring me on to find more prizes and new ways to cut my electric bill.

With current events on every one's mind, how we consume and what we consume is increasingly important. People who never clip coupons are suddenly doing so. So, I know a change is happening when folks who normally consume without much thought strike up conversations with me and want more information about the challenge. Hmmmm.

"What's this electricity challenge all about?"

You see, I am a writer by trade and I also run a salon spa. Normally I'm involved in covering beauty, fashion, and business issues. The Electricity challenge was born out of the starting of a personal blog. I never thought that so many people would identify with the challenge.

So, now I talk about energy as well as beauty as a daily routine. it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. hey, maybe I can turn the thermostat down another degree? Hmmm. Ideas, ad more ideas.

Today's electricity saving endeavor is quick and simple. I've purchased thermometers for the refrigerator and freezer. I placed them inside and waited 24 hours. Oh my goodness! I found that my freezer and fridge were WAY too cold. Was wondering about those frozen veggies in the fridge a few weeks back. Hmmmm, may have the answer.

So, I adjusted the temps down and intend to check it in a day or so. The cool thing about the thermometers is that they show a range in color so you don't have to guess what temperature the fridge or freezer should be to keep your stuff safe and fresh!

While I was at it I vacuumed the coils. Don't know if that helps, but it was something that needed to be done anyway.

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

Day 6 Still Finding Ways to Save Money on the Electric Bill

Okay, I have to admit that I am a huge fan of hanging the clothes on the line to dry, but as winter sets in I can get a bit lazy. During the winter the items don't dry quite as fast. That means I must plan ahead for laundry.

To combat winter laundry I'm getting in the habit of popping it in the washing machine first thing in the morning and then handing it on the line soon after getting ready for my day. i think I like the idea of accomplishing something before I ever get to work!

By dinnertime the clothes are dry or almost dry. Even if I have to put them in the dryer for a few minutes, I've still saved a ton of money.

While we are on the subject: did you know there is a International Clothesline Week? go to http://www.hangtodry.com/ and mark your calendars for the first full week of June.

And did you know that the folks at EnergyStar don't rate clothes dryers because there is little difference between them and they all use huge amounts of power.

I just love that clothes last longer, smell fresher, and are not filled with extra chemicals from dryer sheets and fabric softeners. A big plus is also that I don't have to iron. I pop my hubby's shirts on a hanger and let them dry--they go straight to the closet in perfect shape every time.

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

It's Only the Beginning

While I've always managed to get everything I ever needed, I realize that at some point I should look up to see where it comes from. 'Rain' silly. No really, eventually resources get strained or run out. I'm on a quest to live an even greener life. I hope you will chip in and help me find the answers. if you have a money-saving, earth-sparing, resource-reserving blog or website, I want to hear from you! I want to pass it along to share with readers. If you have a product I can't live without, I want to hear from you too.

I'll start simple.

Today is the day that I examine every new purchase or acquisition I make. I promise to not take more than I need and to share the bounty with others. This is my pledge.

I hope it will prove easy, liberating, and fruitful.