Sugar Bend Farm

another day without air conditioning

This is the second day without running the central air.  I just paid a $400.00 electric bill, so I am thrilled that the temps are a little bit cooler so we don't have to use the electricity hog (central air).  I opened the windows and am running the ceiling fans.  We slept that way last night and it was nice.  I think the temps were in the low 60's last night and currently the temp is 81 degress.  But I am not turning on the air.  It is suppose to get down to 55 degrees tonight and up to the high 80's tomorrow.  Sat and Sun it is going to get up to 89, so I may turn the air on for a little bit to cool it off.  Did I mention that I am VERY hot natured and HATE being hot?  But more than hating being hot, I despise giving the electric company my hard earned money.  And $400.00 is way over the top of my budget for electricity.  So we must compromise.  I know there must be a better way of getting power to your home.  I have been reading about thermal heating and cooling and of course we all know about solor energy.  But what is practical and possible for the average person?  I just think it is crazy that we have to pay such high rates just to live.  It isn't like we live in a time where all of these things are optional.  We have all gotten so dependent on modern conveniences that none of it is optional.  But with our dependency, someone else is getting rich off of the backs of average people.  That I resent.  Why do things cost so much, why are people and companies greedy and seek riches?  If everyone would just do their part, then everyone could live happily and comfortable.  Maybe that sounds like Socialism, but I think it would be better than just some people living "high on the hog" while the rest struggle and can't make ends meet.  Why shouldn't everyone have the right to live without the stresses that modern society has placed on us?  Dream on, right?  I know that it will never be that way, but wouldn't it be nice if it were? 

Well, let me get supper finished.  Andrew is on the way home from work and the kiddo's are getting hungry.  If anyone has any suggestions for living a little less dependent on the "system" please leave them in a comment or send me a message.

Good evening and pleasant dreams!

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6:05 PM, 2006-Sep-14 .. Posted by mc2rwe

My electricity bill last month was $298.00 and I died getting it that low by not using the air...absolutely ridiculous. We are in the slow process of getting all the materials to go completely off the grid. Won't happen until roughly 2010 though. We will be using mostly solar. Good luck!!!

Kathy

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6:13 PM, 2006-Sep-14 .. Posted by OurLittleHomestead

wow I feel guilty complaining about my $60-80 bill. eeeek.

we do try to NOT use the electric for heat in the winter....and usually in the Summer it's not so bad as to run the air all that much.

the woodstove will be in, here in our new place and we will go completely without electric heat this winter, unless something happens there.....we've done it before, it's just something you get used to and we love having the fire in the stove ;)

no ideas for you on the ac issue tho....other than solar. ;( sorry I couldn't help more :)

Lisa