Comments on: Let the Challenge Begin!!!

By: lightening

lightening — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:05:00 +0000

Ali - thanks for the tip about the freezer. One of my freezers is kind of a “back up” freezer which I use when I buy bulk meat so I’ll have to watch I don’t often it more than necessary.

Priscilla - thanks for the reminder about the air con filter. I’ll try and remember to check that tomorrow. We vacuum it periodically but now and then it can do with a good wash. Our air con is reverse cycle so gets used a fair bit.

I couldn’t find a timer so told DH he might have to find a way to attach an egg timer to a suction cap for me.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 01:20:00 +0000

Another suggestion but not so much for the kids if you have Air con. Make sure that filters on air conditioning are clean before you start using them for summer. Also I think that you already mentioned that you have energy saver light globes.

Make sure that the coils etc at the back of fridges are dust free too. Maybe check your electricity suppliers website to see if there are any other hints and tips to cut down power usage.

I found an hourglass type sand timer at Woolies which has a suction pad that sticks to the glass on the shower. My kids get one *run* of the timer or I use my beeping timer and leave it on the vanity in the bathroom. They still need chasing to get out of the shower though.

Good luck with your challenge.

Priscilla

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:32:00 +0000

we run a larger fridge/freezer as well as a smallish chest freezer and a bar fridge full of homebrew!!

My hubbie is an electrician and he says unless the fridges/freezers are opened frequently they won’t use heaps of power as it’s the compressor that uses the energy.

By: lightening

lightening — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 08:55:00 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion Willow. I’m thinking about it more. I do want my 9 year old to be more aware though and if he can see the timer that might help.

8 kWh a day is great!!!

I agree with the “beat my own figures” idea although I do find it interesting knowing what others have managed to achieve.

By: willow

willow — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 07:54:00 +0000

To save buying a special timer you could always use your kitchen timer in the bathroom (outside the shower!!) or the stopwatch on a mobile phone.
Enjoy the challenge you’ve set yourself. After measuring our electricity usuage monthly for almost two years, we are down to 8kWh / day and I think we’ve levelled out now.
Its difficult to make comparisons though as it depends so much on your own individual circumstances, number and age of chidren, climate, time of year etc. I found it more satisfying to try and “beat my own figures” than to try to reach some arbitrary goal.

By: lightening

lightening — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 06:30:00 +0000

Thanks Lisa. A shopping I will go. Googling hadn’t even occured to me either - doh! LOL.

Ali - Sounds like we have similar size homes. Wish I had your power usage though. I do run 2 freezers and a large fridge. Wonder if that makes it higher? Oh well, we’ll see how we go with the challenge. Not expecting to get down to 10 units a day but any improvement is better than none.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 06:07:00 +0000

My shower time is a “ripple” brand that I got from a homewares store. I just googled the name after I saw a picture in a magazine. Mine is blue star shape and seems to have survived well…I think it is close on two years old so it is going well. Also has a clock on it.

By: lightening

lightening — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 05:14:00 +0000

Thanks Kez - I’ll try that.

By: Kez

Kez — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:20:00 +0000

I got our timer from Bunnings, so any hardware store might be able to help. HTH!

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:22:00 +0000

our home/living area (not including garage) is about 160 sq m. We don’t use heating of any kind. Our bill will be higher in summer as I can’t go without using fans or the air conditioning ~ hate the humidity here!!