Common Sense, but it's not Common.

We're trying to make a difference.


Since Christmas I bought a clothes drying rack on sale at MTF, the local clearance and damaged goods outlet.  I paid 15.99 for it.... half the regular price.  Great I thought, this should make a difference.  I should be able to set an example for my kids... and actually DO something; show them how to make a difference rather than just talk about how we need to reduce our consumption.  I have used the clothes drying rack almost exclusively since then, putting a load in my dryer ONLY when something is needed right away.  I can count on one hand how many times I have used my electric dryer since Christmas.

Why? Why would you do that Kristi? You must have a crazy amount of laundry to do with 4 kids & a husband who works a labor job.  Yes. Yes I do. But when we talk about reducing consumption of power and a host of other things I don't want to be one to just talk about it.  We grew up talking about it, the importance of it, the benefits of it, and yet, I can't recall anyone, not my parents, not my teachers, not anyone who actually translated it into actual living.  We say the world is headed to horrible places because of our lack of restraint, because of our consumption... but who's actually making a practice of doing something about it.  I'd like my kids to see it.... if their futures are to be compromised, I'd like them to at least KNOW how to do things differently.  I'd like them to know how to raise an animal, collect an egg, grow a garden, dry a shirt. Seems like common sense, but I don't need to tell you.... It is not common.

Sure, some of us have switched all our light bulbs.... with the promise that it will make an impact both in the world and in our pocketbooks.  Here's the thing though.  Your household dryer uses MORE energy than all the rest of your household appliances put together.... so you'd think this would be the one appliance that would actually make the biggest difference if we used it less.  I decided to find out.

I'm sure I'm probably saving the world, but I haven't noticed much of a change in my Hydro Bill.

Turns out, Hydro has a threshold quota of power use.... we get charged a certain HIGH amount for the first portion of that threshold, no matter how small.  If we use MORE than than that initial threshold of power, we aren't charged much more at all for it.
BC Hydro's Advice on Drying Clothes
Really? 45$ a year? come on! Surely we are saving more energy than that?! Look at the 'quick facts' section of that link.  The money savings does not keep in step with the CO2 Reduction.... it should. In fact, go down the list of all their energy saving tips.  None. Not a single one of their CO2 reducing tips translates to compensate you in a fair amount in savings. Incentive indeed.
Is this backwards? I mean, schools have been teaching for years and years to use less power, to reduce our consumption, and yet the incentive is taken away.  Don't they have this messed up?  Shouldn't we be charged  small amounts for that first bracket of power use? If we go over THEN we should be charged a higher amount to coincide with the amount of power we use?    It doesn't make sense to me. 

I'll continue to dry my clothes on that rack.  I still want to do things differently. I want my kids to see me take some action that steps in line with the things they learn at school.  At least I'll  know I'm actually saving energy even if it doesn't make it back to my wallet.... heck... I'll even make the cost of that drying rack back again. That's good right?

On a Dark and Stormy Night

I just heard thunder. Oh boy! Do I need another reason to break this out? 
 
Dark and Stormy

Tall Glass full of ice.
1 1/2 OZ Goslings Black Seal Rum
Top up with Ginger Beer
Squeeze in and garnish with a wedge of lemon
Stir & Tuck In

 Thank You Anthony for this one.