Anderson Family

UCCHHousehold Challenge

Household Statistics

• 4 people– 2 adults– 2 children (5 and 3 yrs old)

• Small house (1152 ft2)• Energy sources

– Gas heat and water heater– Electric air conditioning

Initial Focus

• Driving• Energy Usage

– Electricity– Gas

• Water Usage• Food Sources• Other

Driving

• Didn’t go so well!– Difficult to do ANYTHING without

driving– Change in driving habits (new job,

kids start school in September– New Routine: daily commute ~30

miles round trip for each car (2 cars total)

• Future Plans…– Move to an area closer to work/school

Energy: Electricity

• Eliminated clothes dryer usage (use clothesline – used dryer <10 times)

• Replaced all light fixtures with fluorescent– Increased emphasis on turning off

lights

• Installed programmable thermostat– Summer: 79o (night), 84o (day)– Winter: 55o (night), 65o (day)

Energy: Electricity

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May June July August September October

Kilowatt-hours

2006 (18.53 Kwh/day)

2007 (14.13 Kwh/day)

Energy: Natural Gas

• Efforts– Washed clothes in cold water– Wore clothing more than once

before washing– Took short showers instead of

baths– Showered every other day (with

exceptions!)

Energy: Natural Gas

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May June July August September October

Therms

2006 (0.37 Therms/day)

2007 (0.27 Therms/day)

Water Usage• Watered garden w/rain barrel• Reclaimed water from tap/faucet

while waiting for hot water. Used for:– Flushing toilets– Watering the dog– Watering plants

• Reused rinse water from dishes – rinse recycling, etc.

• Wore clothing more than once• Took short showers instead of baths• Showered every other day

Water Usage

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May June July August September

Gallons

2006 (137.9 gal/day)

2007 (105.9 gal/day)

Food Sources

• Ate locally when possible– Joined CSA– Purchased other local food when

avail.

• Ate organically as much as possible

• Ate vegetarian/vegan– Reduced consumption of dairy

products

Other• Reduced use of disposable products

– Bring cup/utensils when eating out• Recycled as much as possible from

home– 1 garbage bag (<13 gal) per week of non-

recyclable waste• Clothing

– Purchased more sustainable fabrics (organic cotton/hemp/bamboo – only when new clothing needed

• Purchased organic and fair trade coffee• More conscious of consumer choices

– Purchased more gifts from fair trade items/home made items

– Carefully considered if item needed before purchase

Conclusions

• Can we continue?– YES!

• Future plans…– Move to location closer to

work/school to reduce need to drive and spend less time in car!