Journée de la terre

[jbailey]

I hadn't even thought of Earth Day when I was talking to my dad last night, and we got onto the subject of Electric bills bills. His is apparently ~$15/month. I think ours is just over 5 times that. *ouch* We moved here in December, and the previous owner hadn't lived here for several months, so I don't think much was done in the way of winterisation. Add daily diaper washes, drying, etc., and it's understandable (if not actually excusable).

But now we've got a nice target to aim for! =) Kyoto FTW

Comments

[northernflights.livejournal.com]

Spending time up at my cabin in Alaska made me think a lot about this sort of thing: nothing promotes conservation like being off-the-grid. When I cut willow trees for heat and haul your water on a sled behind cross-country skis, I can bathe and do all your laundry in a total of 2 gallons of water, with electricity consumption of zero. Never would happen in the city.

[northernflights.livejournal.com]

Er, I can bathe and do all of my laundry in 2 gallons. I'm certain that your laundry is a bit more ambitious, probably would take more like 5 gallons in the bush: 3 gallons in the bucket and a touch of Dr. Bronner's, first wash shirts, then pants/underwear, then socks, then diapers -- wringing the water back into the bucket after each -- then toss the water outside and replace with 2 gallons of fresh water, repeat without soap, and hang all to dry around the wood stove.

Incidentally, I learned that the best way to make this process fun is to heat up the sauna and do my bush laundry in the buff. Added benefit: when I'm done, all of my clothes are clean!

Miles

electric costs

[(Anonymous)]

Don't forget, Jeff, that you live in "real" Canadian weather...and your dad lives in Vancouver.

We've had all our heat turned completely off since April, not really an option in your area! We may need sweaters, but the pipes and pets aren't freezing.