tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2129997014545083167..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: The cost of electricity - I've decreased mineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7492780669695640742022-10-08T12:49:38.186+10:002022-10-08T12:49:38.186+10:00We've just upgraded to a new solar power syste...We've just upgraded to a new solar power system along with a battery. Our old one was just 8 panels and only gave us power during daytime hours, working all day and with a son who works nights which means he's up all night when he's not working most of our power usage is at night. There's now twenty plus panels giving us more than enough power during the daytime and the battery lasts well into the early hours of the morning. Of course it's pricey to set up but the estimate on it's paying for it's self is 7 years. <br />We love our instantaneous gas heater, with 5 adults it's good to be guaranteed a hot shower at any time. The water temp is controllable, we only ever heat the water to our needs at the time, showers are set to personal preference at 39 to 42 degrees, washing up is set at 60 degrees. We never have to add cold water to water that we've paid to heat. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13264729741644887022022-10-01T11:41:00.906+10:002022-10-01T11:41:00.906+10:00They're wonderful, aren't they! I'm re...They're wonderful, aren't they! I'm really pleased you like them too. And yes, a great way to save money.Rhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21518173913972597432022-10-01T10:10:04.054+10:002022-10-01T10:10:04.054+10:00You recently posted about the motion sensor lights...You recently posted about the motion sensor lights that are battery operated. I used to keep a few lights on at night in hallway, mudroom, etc. I wanted to save money on electric but not walk around in dark. I ordered some from Amazon, and love them! Not only saving money by not keeping lights on all night, they light up as you walk through a room, illuminate your path, and turn off shortly after. We are in the middle of a storm and my lights are flickering but I feel fine even if power goes out. In fact, these will be added to my kids Christmas packages. Thanks for the suggestion!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62244667915884080452022-09-30T06:53:45.076+10:002022-09-30T06:53:45.076+10:00Well done in setting things up well for your futur...Well done in setting things up well for your future. I have wondered about a solar water heater but am not sure if it is worth the cost of setting it up. Instead, I just turn off the water heater for most of the day. 20 minutes of being on gives enough hot water for a couple of showers and to wash the dishes. Power costs are really going up lately on our island of Oahu, Hawaii and we have long been 3 X the average cost on the mainland US before that. Many of the new houses are not built to catch the island trade winds and need a/c so I appreciate my old house with louvre windows.Stellamarinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10551588961821325742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19724819243530837332022-09-30T05:56:08.024+10:002022-09-30T05:56:08.024+10:00Great tips and ideas, Rhonda, on ways to save on e...Great tips and ideas, Rhonda, on ways to save on electricity costs. We have solar hot water and 3kw of panels but our usage pattern changed when I decided to work more days each week. For convenience, we started running dishwasher at night so it could be emptied before we left for work in morning but that doesn't make best use of solar set up we have. That needs a rethink! One thing I have started doing is batch cooking more so I can just reheat meals and use less energy at night. <br /><br />I always enjoy reading your posts, Rhonda, and get so much from your words and advice. Thankyou! <br />Meg🙂Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84596795439896160532022-09-29T20:37:36.475+10:002022-09-29T20:37:36.475+10:00It sounds as though you have done everything perfe...It sounds as though you have done everything perfectly. What a relief knowing that all future bills will be so much more manageable, and of course it's good for the environment too.A Smaller and Simpler Lifehttps://asmallerlifelivingsimply.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46202768896475680782022-09-29T07:06:33.745+10:002022-09-29T07:06:33.745+10:00That's amazing! I hate that here they have a ...That's amazing! I hate that here they have a minimum charge. So even if you use zero electricity, they will still charge you. Ugh. And even if we went full solar, we are not allowed to disconnect from the grid. At least where I live. There are even areas in the U.S where you are not allowed to catch rain water. So we have to do the best we can with what we have. Great ideas, thank you!Kathy T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15954446261878327500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-24384481472183792802022-09-29T04:58:06.996+10:002022-09-29T04:58:06.996+10:00Wow! that is quite a decrease. We just moved into ...Wow! that is quite a decrease. We just moved into a rental that has very poor insulation. I have bought a few wool rugs for the floor and we have a wood stove for this winter.(I live in the USA) Curtains will be the next thing to keep the heat in. I love all your insight and ideas. I will try the Oxy Advance. I usually just put a bit more washing liquid on the stain. I am still working on my decluttering as well, which I commented on a past post. Now I have things to sell and some to just remove. You continue to inspire me to keep going..thank you;-} sallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74900444493496356842022-09-28T19:57:52.343+10:002022-09-28T19:57:52.343+10:00Well done, that is a big drop in your kwh's. I...Well done, that is a big drop in your kwh's. It looks like you have a decent solar setup now. We have solar hot water and love it! We also have solar panels but still pay a bill, its not high but then we only have a 1.5 kw system.<br /><br />I use fleecy sheets to keep warm in bed at night, and nice warm pyjamas. We are lucky to still have a log fire, but free wood is getting harder to get now.<br /><br />Thank you Rhonda for sharing what you do to keep electricity prices down.<br />xTaniaTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6884044661190029612022-09-28T19:41:15.677+10:002022-09-28T19:41:15.677+10:00Hello from Norway, the cost of electricity has soa...Hello from Norway, the cost of electricity has soared here too, along with food prices, gas and everything else. We have moved to an older, cheaper and smaller house, without the fancy heating system we had, and this has reduced the electricity bill. We shut off some rooms during winter and heat less space. Being a cold climate, we don't need air condition. We can't afford to update our appliances, but I have stopped using the big chest freezer and dryer and hung another outdoor clothes line instead. Also, we have lots of woollen clothes and throws, and cosy warm slippers, and a wood burner. Blessings, PamWinkel's Crazy Ideashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17934679165455175289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87149926272246408182022-09-28T15:59:25.823+10:002022-09-28T15:59:25.823+10:00This is so helpful Rhonda, I am facing a permanent...This is so helpful Rhonda, I am facing a permanent move to Australia in the next few years and your blog has been invaluable in preparation for this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31207752267604193072022-09-28T14:07:35.037+10:002022-09-28T14:07:35.037+10:00Firstly-Hi and so lovely to see that your life con...Firstly-Hi and so lovely to see that your life continues to be full of meaning x <br /><br />We too have had a new solar system in the past few months. Wow has it made a difference to our cost of living! The price of electricity here in the UK has gone through the roof, also the cost of gas. One big change we made was to buy a Ninja foodi 14 in one unit. Initially I hated it, just not the same as putting on my oven. But now I am a convert! It not only saves a massive amount on fuel but the thing is all singing and all dancing. Yes I have had to alter the way, and things, I cook but the savings seem to be massive. From a monthly cost of around £60 just for the gas to cook with, along with about £50 in electricity charges, my total fuel bill has dropped to under £1 a day!! We heat with a log burner so the fuel cost remains pretty stable throughout the year. Geoffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601199588094139080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17594159504250405402022-09-28T11:30:37.980+10:002022-09-28T11:30:37.980+10:00No worries, Beth. Thank you.No worries, Beth. Thank you.Rhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50623687049780458422022-09-28T10:49:04.909+10:002022-09-28T10:49:04.909+10:00Okay, sorry, just noticed I was looking at the old...Okay, sorry, just noticed I was looking at the old solar array, not the new one! Still impressed with your kwh reduction! Beth in MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38087190248843385192022-09-28T10:47:23.434+10:002022-09-28T10:47:23.434+10:00Hi Rhonda, I've been reading all of your posts...Hi Rhonda, I've been reading all of your posts here and on Instagram, but haven't been commenting during the summer rush. I'm glad you are making progress on so many fronts during this transition time and that Miss Gracie is there to keep you company. What really strikes me with this post is how few panels it took to get such a big reduction! My utility gives the option to get energy from wind or solar power, which I've chosen to do because of the benefit to the environment (and it doesn't require the investment in solar panels etc.) Of course, this system doesn't reduce my kwh used/expense. Seeing your usage reduction makes me wonder if I should change what I'm doing and get some solar panels! Thanks for taking the time to share this information and all of the other updates you've provided on decluttering and aging in place - all timely topics for me. And, of course, I'm always up for pictures of Gracie and delicious looking cupcakes! Stay well dear lady! Beth in MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76682911535558672502022-09-28T08:49:20.109+10:002022-09-28T08:49:20.109+10:00Rhonda, that is spectacular!, and so encouraging. ...Rhonda, that is spectacular!, and so encouraging. I am able to limit electric usage, however I am not able to control all of it as I am not the only one here. I will keep doing what I can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91965026851423544722022-09-28T08:44:15.175+10:002022-09-28T08:44:15.175+10:00Rhonda You are inspirational, thankyou for all yo...Rhonda You are inspirational, thankyou for all your wisdom and commonsense 😊Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com