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If oil goes to $100/Bbl and natural gas
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judyken
01-22-2006, 9:29 AM | Post #165641 |
49 Replies
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skyrockets (electricity will obviously rise dramatically), what would you do to save on these increasing costs?
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Not a lot of difference to us................
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Rick Hamilton
01-22-2006, 6:05 PM | Post #2095469
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We put less than 10,000 miles a year on our van, and the largest portion of electricity our electric company produces is produced by coal. Not only that, but we have mild winters anyway, seldom even needing heat during the winter. Now SUMMER is a different matter. Even then we could "camp out" during the day at the mall, or library. Of course the wino's stink up the library during the summer, in the winter they don't smell as bad. Nothing like a wino basted by Florida's August heat; that will make your gorge rise PDQ.
But, those conditions would certainly bode disastrous for our seniors in the great frozen north, and those having long commutes for work, anywhere they live.
Our electric company has a program that charges volunteer customers extra, to help the poorer users afford their bills. I'll consider giving to that program if we were to have an unusually cold winter.
Do they have like programs up north? I don't understand how many could afford to keep warm. Are there laws which prevent gas and electricity from being turned off it if is bitterly cold?
Fortunately we are blessed with a tight house, and little real need to drive many miles.
Rick
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Related Topics
gas
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Lower temperature, large camping wearings
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robertts12
01-22-2006, 8:03 PM | Post #2095540
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Lowering home temperature. To support lower temperatures, it's good to buy larger wearings, use one trouser over another, etc. Years ago, I found a very large plastic wearing in a camping store, it was chinese and was cheap, 10 to 20 dollar, I think.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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cheapdollar
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You cab also look in the offtopic forum the thread "House heating: do you have ideas". Several ideas and big links.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Rossby
01-23-2006, 7:49 PM | Post #2096202
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Home energy costs, both winter and summer, are low and not a factor.
Perhaps some less travel in the gas guzzling RV, but not much. That is if petrol is available.
I promise not to take a cruise on a huge ship to a little island, nor take an SST flight to Paris. I will not own a race car and do the NASCAR circuit. Can you imagine how much THAT fuel costs?
I promise not to own another boat.
I also promise to drive at 55 to 60 mph, regardless of the idiots that are passing me at 80 mph.
I will not bitch about the cost increase in food items. Tractors eat fuel, as do the semi's delivering it.
Just give me a few hundred gallons of no-lead each year, so I can take the gas sucking RV to visit relatives, (her's, not mine).
There is nothing like touring the back roads of America, and not having to sleep in a bad bed with your sister-in-law's cat.
Rossby
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Related Topics
foodgasenergy
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Plants to avoid open the windows
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robertts12
02-04-2006, 5:28 PM | Post #2104929
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I suggest to cultivate plants in your house in winter, so you don't need to open the windows very often when the outside temperature is low.
This site is useful: rocklaw.practicearealibrary.com/article/13674
I suggest to plant beans and lentils. Perhaps they are not so good like the plants suggested in the site, but you can eat them.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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No thanks, Robert..........
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Rick Hamilton
02-06-2006, 2:59 PM | Post #2106047
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At the suggested number of plants (2 potted plants per 100 square feet), it would mean 60-70 plants for a 3000-3500 square foot home.
It would be a full time job keeping the plants in good shape, and keeping our cats out of them.
Good idea, perhaps, but I'll skip this one, as I don't want more plants inside my home than outside in our landscaping.
Rick
Originally posted in thread: 211
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skillet
02-06-2006, 4:39 PM | Post #2106124
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mostly plant-based diet a few years ago for the health benefits substantially decreased our food bill, decreased the monthly utility bills and also decreased the amount of food prep/clean-up time. It's not just what you drive, it's also what you eat. A meat centered diet takes more oil, since meat production is very energy intensive. And it's not like the food and energy companies are going to advertise the fact. We still eat meat, just very small amounts, infrequently. I have always advocated a small, well insulated residence and have always avoided materialism(all that stuff takes oil to make). My wife and I have always lived in 800 square feet or less in over 25 years of marriage. I grew up very poor(thank goodness) and am pretty good at frugality, but many of the factors I see coming together in the very near future will test many of us in our "culture of energy".
Originally posted in thread: 211
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foodoilenergyhealth
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Aluminum can be used on the walls, fine films of aluminum, like the aluminum films used for meat.
Some food pockets have aluminum films.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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food
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Roberts--Please post pics of your house.
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Jensen
02-16-2006, 4:47 PM | Post #2112842
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I must see this. thanks.
60-70 plants---Funny stuff, Rick. If you use the right plants, it can be a profitable venture, from what I've heard. I have no personal experience in such matters.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Aluminum is becoming scarce, roberts.........
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Rick Hamilton
02-16-2006, 5:18 PM | Post #2112874
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It seems a cottage industry has sprang up; crafting aluminum foil hats for the oil industry conspiracy advocates.
I'm pretty sure my deed restrictions would prevent aluminum foil on my walls.
Jensen, I'm thinking 60-70 plants might go a bit beyond the claim of personal use, tho personal use isn't legal in Florida, anyways.
I'd much rather have a joint than to use the painkillers I am currently prescribed. Maybe one day we might be able to grow a small amount legally, for medicinal uses only, of course!
Rick
Originally posted in thread: 211
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oil
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See! I knew you were a closet Democrat, Rick
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Jensen
02-16-2006, 6:26 PM | Post #2112923
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Just like Rayski1/Ray. No personal use limit in Florida? Jeeze, I would think Jimmy Buffett would have more influence than that. Florida has gone to pot since Bob Graham lost control. It's another fascist state down there now.
Very sad.
Originally posted in thread: 211
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Sure up North there are several programs depending upon where you live. These programs pay for a large portion of your heating bill based upon your income, plus reduce your rates on natural gas, electric, end telephone where applicable.
FPL has a few incentives however you really need to dig in order to find them. Since FPL has increased rates to around 13cents/kwh they blame it on "increasing global enrgy prices" ; CNN has it that FPL needed to increase rates by 19% in order to compensate for the damaged infrastructure in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties caused by hurricane Wilma.
There is one incentive by using less than 1,000 kw/mo, I know it is hard to do however it can be done, you just need to think green: Building and construction needs studded off walls on the inside (back to steel) with foam insulation, R-38 ceilings, Energy Star appliances, a 17 SEER or greater Air to Air heat pump (Geothermal won't work in FL), all green light bulbs, all of your peripherals (PC, entertainment, etc) on strips which can be turned off when not in use. PV co-generation (great in FL), huge tax incentives and Federal grant money too!
Originally posted in thread: 211
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