tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2332639857609353157..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Checking our electricity usageUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60739831811576067232017-07-22T05:22:52.608+10:002017-07-22T05:22:52.608+10:00Our energy bill in Canada used to be $360 for two ...Our energy bill in Canada used to be $360 for two months. Now we're at $180 for two months (or $90 per month) for the two of us. When we had 5 of us living in the house just a few years ago (with the high energy bills) we had 4 TV's, 2 full size fridges & an old freezer. Now we are down to 2 TV's, 1 full size fridge, no extra freezer, a new energy efficient fridge & stove. The washer & dryer are old and I try to hang clothes to dry as much as possible. We are hoping to replace the old furnace and hot water tank this year with energy efficient models. I'd love to get solar panels one day. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1210329960085620042017-07-19T23:22:37.241+10:002017-07-19T23:22:37.241+10:00Hi Rhonda, I've just finished reading your boo...Hi Rhonda, I've just finished reading your book 'The Simple Life'.<br />I just turned 39 on Monday. I'm single and live in Sydney. I have worked since I was 15 years old and I'm at the point where work has been my life and finally made the decision that something's gotta give. It is going to be a scary time for me embarking on a simpler life but reading your book has given me hope.<br />Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17408610143638406407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12664135634937866442017-07-18T09:27:33.305+10:002017-07-18T09:27:33.305+10:00Hi Jude, I hope you had a good time with the gals....Hi Jude, I hope you had a good time with the gals. I hope we catch up next time you're in town. xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41899866719485808652017-07-18T09:20:50.056+10:002017-07-18T09:20:50.056+10:00Seems as you all had a good day on Sunday especial...Seems as you all had a good day on Sunday especially Gracie.<br />Sorry I missed seeing you this trip.xxJudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11374028034442765656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16435509712228210602017-07-18T04:00:37.351+10:002017-07-18T04:00:37.351+10:00My electric bill is around $11.00 in the winter, a...My electric bill is around $11.00 in the winter, and goes up to $40.00 in the summer. I have LED light bulbs, too. I unplug my appliances, which really helps. I learned that on Oprah. I get at least one free month of electricity per year. It's nice. TheAwakenedSoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636961399581011120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9686334558764196052017-07-18T03:36:00.423+10:002017-07-18T03:36:00.423+10:00Lana, I agree with that. When we replace our elect...Lana, I agree with that. When we replace our electrical appliances, we always buy the highest energy rating we can afford. It does make a real difference to the power bills.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46549579052604337992017-07-18T03:33:54.300+10:002017-07-18T03:33:54.300+10:00Hello SunnyMidnight, lovely to see you again. I ho...Hello SunnyMidnight, lovely to see you again. I hope you're well. xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65509315953214821602017-07-18T02:52:50.616+10:002017-07-18T02:52:50.616+10:00Had to laugh at the "snow" on your porch...Had to laugh at the "snow" on your porch. We came home to a similar sight in our family room one of the first times we ever left our dog Mishka alone. He ate some of the batting but fortunately it passed through him. Right now we have a kitten who likes to chew the arms of our office chairs. We have tried everything spicy and bitter on the arms to make him stop but he seems to like spicy and just ignores the taste. So we have surrendered and removed the arms until he gets past his teething stage. He likes to chew on Douglas's big dog cookies so we are trying to distract him with them.<br /><br />There is always a huge difference in our electric bill from summer to winter. In the four months of late spring and summer we never use lights because of the nearly 24 hours of daylight and no heat or air conditioning is required. But winter is very different with the running of the furnace and only 5 hours of daylight for about 3 months.<br /><br />At the moment we all get a credit of approximately $27 from our power company - we only have one so the lack of competition does make us servants to them alone - because they charged us for years when they built new facilities and the government determined that they were responsible to pay for the changes they made and not pass on the expense to the users. When this credit stops then everyone will have a higher bill and I don't think a lot of people remember this. <br /><br />This electric company is not one to advance into the 21st century with sustainable sources. They recently pushed through a liquid gas generator that no one wanted. Fortunately there are companies now coming forward to install solar and wind turbines. We already have several turbines and they suit the Yukon perfectly because there is always wind here and on the mountain tops it blows like mad.<br /><br />SunnyMidnightAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36864244758550549972017-07-18T01:04:46.321+10:002017-07-18T01:04:46.321+10:00I have never seen a dog who could look so guilty! ...I have never seen a dog who could look so guilty! Good thing she is so cute!<br /><br />Years ago we knew a man who worked in research at GE for 40 years. He always replaced their refrigerator every 5 years because he said it would pay for itself in energy savings. Over the last 4 years we have had replace many appliances due to age and wearing out and our electric bill has gone way down. Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25945576503826184372017-07-17T22:03:41.133+10:002017-07-17T22:03:41.133+10:00Hi Robin, we're very similar, aren't we. W...Hi Robin, we're very similar, aren't we. We too have no clothes dryer and have almost finished switching over to LED lights. Every small thing makes a small difference.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82357943030389076802017-07-17T21:35:58.572+10:002017-07-17T21:35:58.572+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean, Gracie looks like she was a very b...Hi Rhonda Jean, Gracie looks like she was a very busy little lady while you were gone.<br />It is always very interesting to me people's power/hydro/electricity consumption is. I believe the average Ontario (where I live) consumption is around 30 kW a day. We average right around where you do. We have a dishwasher too but no clothes dryer. We also have equipped all of our lights with LED bulbs.<br />Enjoy your day!<br />RobinCat Loverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504271572051737490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5406067394382702132017-07-17T20:36:00.215+10:002017-07-17T20:36:00.215+10:00Hi Leighlum, it's a type of zygo-cactus. I gre...Hi Leighlum, it's a type of zygo-cactus. I grew it from a cutting so I'm not sure of it's exact name. It's as tough as nails.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34368999969175669392017-07-17T20:33:26.387+10:002017-07-17T20:33:26.387+10:00We're with Origin, Gail. I think the feed in t...We're with Origin, Gail. I think the feed in tariff is set when you sign up with your solar panels. https://www.dews.qld.gov.au/electricity/solar/installing/benefits/solar-bonus-schemerhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64548734069527434372017-07-17T20:22:02.007+10:002017-07-17T20:22:02.007+10:00Hi Rhonda, what is that beautiful pink climber yo...Hi Rhonda, what is that beautiful pink climber you have growing in your hothouse if you don't mind my asking?Leighlumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05697994987449147422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65148353294875391872017-07-17T18:27:28.327+10:002017-07-17T18:27:28.327+10:00Hello Rhonda, is it possible to tell us which elec...Hello Rhonda, is it possible to tell us which electric company you're with. 44cents back seems a lot more than we can get here in NSW. We too were told to use our appliances during the sunniest part of the day. <br />Blessings Gailgailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46073312926933374712017-07-17T17:03:53.759+10:002017-07-17T17:03:53.759+10:00Electricity bills are high in my part of the world...Electricity bills are high in my part of the world, particularly in our flat because of air conditioning which is necessary if you really want to sleep well. I need it more than my husband anyway. We've moved into a new home very recently and I am trying very hard to keep electricity costs down. So far we seem to be doing ok.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37439106602502481792017-07-17T15:30:36.719+10:002017-07-17T15:30:36.719+10:00I think many of us are happy to close the gate for...I think many of us are happy to close the gate for a while.I am still moving towards the life I want - the slow peaceful active life that you have. I have been reading your blog for many years ane it has helped me through many a bad patch. Off to make your chilli jam tonight!Benitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06011542976924952529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2323595387316581642017-07-17T12:36:48.975+10:002017-07-17T12:36:48.975+10:00Austrillia must have different billing then the do...Austrillia must have different billing then the do in United States. I've never seen a bill quite like that...But it been since 2000 we never had a power bill over a 100 dollars.<br />Coffee is onpeppylady (Dora)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01649272822470007714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86166419093546936292017-07-17T10:08:03.673+10:002017-07-17T10:08:03.673+10:00One of my dogs chewed a 30 cm circle out of a bran...One of my dogs chewed a 30 cm circle out of a brand new rug. It was a huge and expensive thing bought to cover a quarry tiled floor. Did Gracie have the grace to look ashamed?<br /><br />Our power usage is below average for our sized family. But we haven't managed a no pay bill for the longest time. We try to limit the use of air conditioners, but we all feel the heat. So if the usage goes up in summer so be it. Probably our biggest power saver is a huge front loader I bought while dad lived at home. I was forever washing sheets etc.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15283293507101152512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55235913428174505332017-07-17T09:47:34.196+10:002017-07-17T09:47:34.196+10:00I had friends with a dog like Gracie. As they were...I had friends with a dog like Gracie. As they were in Italy, they lived in an apartment. If they went out without the dog he would open the fridge, eat the butter and cheese, open the cupboards, pull everything out. Did it every time.Georgina Mavorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14876754805749650066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78146874895253876242017-07-17T09:13:31.432+10:002017-07-17T09:13:31.432+10:00The joys of having a little puppy, ha, ha. Such a ...The joys of having a little puppy, ha, ha. Such a delight. We are waiting with interest for our next power bill since having new solar panels installed, having found after an inspection that our other ones were faulty. They had burn marks on them apparently so it pays to have them inspected if you think your rebate should be higher. Happy Retiree's Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614074474795791475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61079690061736680622017-07-17T09:01:32.627+10:002017-07-17T09:01:32.627+10:00I find it amusing too, Kylie, but I never let Grac...I find it amusing too, Kylie, but I never let Gracie know that. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43216902418811632002017-07-17T09:00:49.759+10:002017-07-17T09:00:49.759+10:00Oh, I can just imagine the chatter coming from tha...Oh, I can just imagine the chatter coming from that girls' luncheon. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59235627076915362552017-07-17T08:26:11.855+10:002017-07-17T08:26:11.855+10:00I know I shouldn't find it amusing but I did g...I know I shouldn't find it amusing but I did get a good cackle looking at Gracie's mess. I'm sure you can't be angry at that little face too long though.<br />Compared to other families our size we come in just below the average in electricity usage. I believe our biggest things are computers and lights. I'm forever turning lights off. I keep reminding the little culprit who is aware however forgets. We will get there. <br />Since shopping around and changing supplier we have reduced how much we pay too.<br />Enjoy closing your gate, sounds perfect to me.<br />Kylieadminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15960658275681011090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71118483926159841142017-07-17T08:24:34.235+10:002017-07-17T08:24:34.235+10:00Rhonda, I am glad you mentioned 'Airtasker'...Rhonda, I am glad you mentioned 'Airtasker' as I couldn't remember the name after you mentioned it. We had a lovely, if a tad noisy, get-together on Saturday. I brought home your 'Chicks with Sticks' Crochet Guide'. Naughty Gracie! She does look guilty in the photo :-)Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.com