[nocar]

Good for you Revi! I am impressed by your list.

One extra point in favor of bicycles: The more you use them the easier they roll! And at the same time the rider gets lighter and stronger!

nocar

[JoeW]

when i drive on the highway, i like to get right behind a big trucker and let him cut through the air for me. i have seen a slight increase (about 2 or 3mpg) in fuel economy.

[nailud]

Well, I have ordered a CoonNSave (mentioned a few posts up), but it hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully I'll have some results to report from that in a couple of months.

But, that's 2005. As for 2004, we replaced our black roof with a near-white one, thanks to a hail storm in May, 2004 and the friendly insurance company. It looks like it may actually be doing some good. I took some attic temperature readings, along with the outdoor temperatures both before and after. (These are in degrees Farenheit--apologies to those of you who live in civilized countries.)

Before:

Outside: 92, Attic 132
Outside: 90, Attic 126
Outside: 94, Attic 129
Outside: 92, Attic 132
Outside: 91, Attic 120
Outside: 88, Attic 120

After (only have 2 so far):

Outside: 96, Attic 112
Outside: 96, Attic 116

[53convert]

well its a start.
I bought an american made push rell lawn mower. It was kinda a hoot. several nieghbors came and watched. they were ole timers and commenting on didnt think they were still around.
ALso bought a bike to start making short runs to the store,

Its not much, but still better than nothing

[SolarDave]

I added a layer of R-11 (3.5 inch) fiberglass insulation in my attic. Laid it right over what was there, but crossways. I cut slits in the vapor barrier so it would not trap moisture in the existing insulation.

Last year by this time the airconditioner was in use. Have not turned it on yet this year. House is "warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer" just like they promised. Cost was 8 cents a square foot, installation was free (me).

[WisJim]

Added 1.5kw of PVs to our system, bought a "KillAWatt" inexpensive watt-hour meter that appliances etc can plug into, to check on actual power consumption. Based on using it, will soon replace our refrigerator and freezer with newer units that use half the power.
Planted about a dozen more fruit trees. Ride the old Honda 350 motorcycle to work instead of the Ford Ranger 4cyl 5spd pickup. Would ride a bicycle but knee problems don't allow it.
Installing solar hot water heat and domestic hot water. Replace electric water heater with a power vent, electronic ignition water heater with a timer to turn it off most of the day. (needed a new water heater anyway--old one had reached the end of its usefull life)

Jim

[NEOPO]

we made plans to do everything that wisjim is doing ...what!?!?!? plans are a start!!!

reuse shampoo??? do i even wanna know pete?

We are moving into a 3 bedroom home with another family which will cut most of our bills in half and our energy consumption by an estimated 35-40%.

Viva la revolucione!!!

[Dteachmh]

Cool N Save warning. I bought a new AC 3 years ago, bought the Cool N Save 2 years ago because I wanted optimal efficiency. My coils and condenser are shot! Two different AC guys came out and when I asked how the condenser could be completely fried after only 3 years, each one pointed to the Cool N Save and said "that contraption there is the culprit". What I didn't realize was I have a water softener. So it was misting softened water on the AC unit. What does a water softener run on? Salt. I mention this only to warn others that may have a water softener and are thinking about the Cool N Save product. Be careful! I wish someone had warned me about it before I bought it! You won't find any mention of it on their website or in the instructions that come with it. Now I have to buy a whole new condenser. I didn't notice any energy savings in the two years I had it anyway. Be warned.