Energy Saving tips this summer

With the increased use of our AC I have been searching for was to keep our energy use down and thus our cost. After being in our new home a year we are finally able to compare usage data. Also Rocky Mountain Power uses a tiered billing system through the summer months. You pay more based on increased usage....

Billing Months - May through September inclusive
7.5292¢ per kWh first 400 kWh
9.2749¢ per kWh next 600 kWh
11.5361¢ per kWh all additional kWh

Thankfully we have had a cooler and wetter spring so we haven't needed to run our AC much until the end of June. Now we are in the mists of summer heat. Last month we used just over 800kWh. As summer really heats up I am hoping to keep it as close to this as possible. I definitely don't want to go over the first 1000 kWh. To save on our electric bill here are some of the tips I have tried....

• Unplug electronics not in use.... I have looked around the house and unplugged everything from lamps, to clocks, to radios to my toaster and mixer. Even when they are turned off they are leaking energy. It's not a big deal to plug them in when I go to use them.
• Keeping the AC set at 78..... the comfortble tempature range for the human body is generally 70-78. I turned ours to the higher end.
• Add increased air flow with fans.... we installed a ceiling fan. It is an energy effecient fan. By increasing the air flow the higher temp doesn't seem as high.
• Turn off lights.... this might go without saying but with little ones I am forever going behind them to turn off lights. This is more of a problem at night when Mr. M cries, "Ma, Da, Dar...!!" We have to leave the closet light on but I try to sneak in after he has gone to sleep and turn it off.
• Opening windows on cool nights....In Idaho, the temperature always drops to 50-60 on summer nights. It was just enough to cool the house again. In Utah, the nights are just as warm. I try to watch the news and when it's cooler outside open the windows and let the cool night air in.
• Wash with cool water....I adjust my washer to wash with cool water. It also helps my clothes to last longer.
• Give the dryer a break, line dry....My mom had the same dryer for 30+ years by doing this. She never used it in the summer. I however, am having a hard time giving up my soft fluffy towels. I also don't have a good spot to protect them from dirt, but I am working on this. Even a load or two will save the power bill.
• Power down....I have made a habit of shutting the computer OFF at night, including the screen. We used to just let it go to sleep mode but now we power it down completely.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed....with west facing windows the afternoon sun just beats in. I have kept my blinds closed but on really hot days I also close my curtains. It makes a difference.
• Be a tree hugger....we have planted several trees but are looking to plant a few more close to the house. I won't get the benefit from them for about 5 years but it is an investment worth making. If I plan just right I will get double benefit with my deck and house in shade during the hot hours of the day.

There are lots of other tips but these are the ones I am shooting for this summer. What are you doing to save this summer? What else can I try? Please let me know. I love to hear from you.

The Joy of Gardening

Spring is full of work, weeding, tilling, planting. Now with summer heating up we get to enjoy the fruits vegi's of our labors.

My first picking of peas.

Fresh, Yummy, goodness!

A nice green bowlful. Fresh peas for dinner tonight. ETA: came out this afternoon and found the bowl missing 1/2 the peas. Little boys enjoying a little snack!

Oh, and I made sure to save some for a nice salad for lunch tomorrow.

How does your garden grow? Share your pictures! I have seen some lovely gardens growing in our area. Show me what yours looks like!

Menu plans 7/5/11

The week is already under way but I thought I would post my menu anyway. Summer is sizzling. We have been busy with swim lessons, vacations, day outings and a crazy work schedule. All of this hasn't helped my plan for blogging. I hope to get back to it this month. I'm sure all you blog friends have been missing my weekly menu, crazy boy antics and craft frenzies. ;-)

I was also thinking I miss my 52 projects. See back when I started blogging I found so many ideas I wanted to try I became overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. I decided to focus on one project a week- thus leading to my 52 projects. It really was nice to have some direction. Not to mention how satisfying it was to do my post of a years of fun! With that I am hoping to get back to doing a project each week. Look for lots of fun to come.

Dinner at the Mi Casa's

Cafe Rio Pork Salad

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

Basil Pork Chops w/ salsa pasta & beans

Taco Ring

No shopping trips for me this week. I will be recovering from our weekend out of town. 

Be prepared, school shopping is just around the corner!

Jewelry stand....

Last year I made some cupcake stands. I also made some out of glass plate (I can't believe I didn't blog it, or if I did I can't find them now) but it got me thinkin'. A dangerous pasttime I know. You see I have been needing something for my jewelry. I have seen lots of cute ideas but never got around to doing any of them. I also don't have much space to hang anything in my bathroom.

After a bit of thinkin', being careful not to hurt myself, I came up with this...

I figured I could put the cupcake stand idea to work here too. I must say I am pleased with the end result.
I found these dishes at the DI- goodwill and simply glued them together.

Now I have a small bowl to hold my earings and plates to hold my necklaces.

I love that I found matching plates and a bowl. I didn't paint them or anything.

I noticed the fumes from the superglue discolored the cups they are stacked on. I was hoping to keep the clear color but it didn't work out. Otherwise I would have painted the cups white to match the rest.

Still, I am thrilled. 

Bakin' Perfect Bacon

We enjoy watching a bit of Food Networks cooking challenges. My dear hubby has learned (and agrees wholeheartedly) that adding bacon to any recipe, including ice cream, makes it an instant hit. But it is sooo meassy to cook. Not anymore!

My dad recently taught me how to cook the BEST ever bacon.

After years of cooking it poping and sizzling on the stovetop.

No more. Now I cook my bacon in the oven.

Yep, the oven! just 30 minutes at 350 and you will have perfect bacon bites.

The best part? No greasy stove top to clean up.

Just lay your bacon strips out on a cookies sheet and slip it in the oven. While your bacon is bakin' you can flip pancakes or your omlet free of greasy popping on you.

Give it a try. I guarantee you will not go back to stovetop bacon.

It will save you from being "Chopped" at your next family dinner!