  Shop light conversion: $36

This results in a grand total investment of $1,262. 

Our utility bills have been paid through the end of 2009 and our total annual savings has climbed to $912.18

Progress: as of end of  2009 vs 2007

• Electricity – 67.7%
• Natural Gas – 80.5%
• Water – 83.0%
• Utility Costs – 75.3%
• Savings 2008 – $  200.15
• Savings 2009 – $  912.18
• Total Savings – $1112.33

What this means is that we are about half way to cutting our utility costs by 50% and we have already recovered 88% of what we have invested so far.  Furthermore, we have only invested about 15% of what we will save over five years once we cut our utility costs by 50%.   Our plan for 2010 is to invest another $900 or so, and increase our savings to $1,150 or more for the year.

So far some of the projects that we are considering are:

• Insulate the Crawlspace – $100   Actual Cost
• Insulate the Living Room – $450  Estimate
• Install a Dual Flush Conversion Kit – $55  Estimate
• Complete Weatherizing Walls and Windows – $45  Estimate
• Two DIY Rain Barrels with Soaker Hoses – $80  Estimate

Stay tuned, more updates coming soon!

Dan Bossenbroek

1.     Buy an energy star front loading washing machine.

Energy Star Washing Machine

2.     Install a water saving toilet.

3.     Skip taking a shower once in a while.

4.     Wear your clothes more than once between washes.

5.     Use a watering timer when watering your lawn and garden.

6.     Use a moisture meter to make sure you need to water.

7.     Install an instant hot water heater – hot water will be at the tap sooner.

8.     Insulate your hot water pipes.

9.     Install aerators on all of your faucets.

10.   Use a toilet tank water saver.

11.   Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.

12.   Skip shaving once in a while.

13.   Install a waterless urinal.

14.   Replace your thirsty lawn with indigenous, drought resistant plants.

15.   Capture the first gallon of cold water that comes out of your shower and use it to brush your teeth or water your plants.

Drought Resistant Plants

16.    Install a composting toilet.

17.    Switch to low flow showerheads.

18.    Fix a leaky faucet or toilet.

19.    Buy a membership at the pool instead of your own pool.

20.    Put the scraps from your plates in to a worm bin instead of down the disposal.

21.    Stop rinsing off your dishes before you put them in your new dishwasher, they usually don’t need this.

22.    Drop that tissue in the trash, not the toilet and save a flush.

23.    Clean up the dishes immediately after you use them so the leftovers don’t dry on and stick like glue.

24.    Take shorter showers – keep them to five minutes or less.

25.    Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until the water gets cold.

26.    Fill up your dishwasher before you run it.

27.    Keep potted plants indoors instead of cur flowers.

28.    Install a drip irrigation system in your gardens.  Connect it to rain barrels.

29.    Water your lawn and garden on the morning – less evaporation.

30.    Patronize a carwash that recycles the water it uses.

31.    Make sure that your sprinkler system (or sprinkler) is not watering the sidewalk or street.

32.    Install a dual flush toilet.

33.    Switch to an energy star dishwasher.

34.    Install covers on pools and spas to help prevent evaporation.

35.    Only do full loads of laundry.

36.    Plant a tree or more to shade your lawn and/or your garden.

37.    Replace water hungry plants for indigenous, drought resistant plants.

38.    Install a greywater (used water from showers and sinks) system and use the water to flush your toilets.

39.    Install a dual flush conversion kit.

40.    Use captured rainwater to fill water features.

41.    Raise your lawn mower setting.  Longer grass retains water better.

42.    Don’t run the water when you wash dishes, fill up one sink to wash and another to rinse.

43.    Avoid planting in the summer when watering requirements are higher,

44.    Think about saving water and you will,

45.    Wash produce in a bowl of water or a partially filled sink instead of continuously running the water.

46.    Turn the water off while you shave.

47.    Two uses per flush.

48.    When you take a shower turn off the water while you lather and wash.

49.    Switch to an electric shaver.

50.    Sweep your driveway, patio and deck instead of washing them off with the hose.

51.    Don’t send the water from your downspouts out into the street but direct it towards your shrubs and gardens.

52.    Use a small plate instead of a large one whenever possible, to cut down on dishwasher loads.

53.    Collect the water from your dehumidifier and water your plants with it.

54.    Check to see that your toilet flappers are working properly.

55.    Two young kids in the same tub = ten gallons of water saved.

56.    Take a shower once a month, whether you need one or not.

57.    Get your kids involved and teach them to turn the water off when they are done washing their hands (for instance).

58.    Stop watering your lawn and garden before the soil becomes saturated.

59.    Use a rain gauge to make sure that you don’t over water your lawn or garden.

60.    Buy a rain barrel and use the water to water your plants.

61.    Adjust your water softener so that it regenerates only as often as necessary.

62.    Use a spray gun nozzle when you wash your car.

63.    Weed your lawn and garden frequently to keep them from stealing water from your plants.

64.    Add compost or other organic matter to your garden soil so that it will retain water better.

65.    Fix or replace a leaky hose bib.

66.    Take the dirty mop water outside and water some plants with it.

67.    Avoid planting in containers as they tend to require more water.

68.    Use hand sanitizer instead of washing your hands sometimes.

69.    Set a sprinkler in the area of lawn that needs water the most when your kids want to cool off.

70.    Steam your vegetables when you cook and give the leftover water to a thirsty plant.

71.    Use one glass all day for your drinking water and it will take longer to fill up your dishwasher.

72.    Capture the water that you washed the produce with to water your houseplants.

73.    Let food thaw in the refrigerator instead of using running water.

74.    Let your lawn “go wild.”   You won’t need to water it at all, but your neighbors might not be too happy with you.

75.    Pour the melted ice in your cup on a houseplant.

76.    Shave your head or cut your hair short – you will spend a lot less time washing your hair.

77.    Park your car in the grass before you wash it.

78.    Use collected rainwater to flush your toilets.

79.    Plug the tub before you turn on the water and just add more hot water as it fills up.

80.    Try to use only one plate or bowl per person for each meal, this will lead to fewer dishwasher loads.

81.    Check for leaks in your pool.

82.    Take tandem showers: as soon as one person is done the next hops in.

83.    Avoid using too much fertilizer.  Fertilizer promotes plant growth and this will also increase your watering needs.

84.    Give your dog a bath in the water your kids just bathed in.

85.    Plant a rain garden and direct some of your downspouts there.

86.    Mulch your gardens with organic mulch, it will help keep the soil moist.

87.    Jump in the shower before the water gets warm and enjoy a refreshing start to your day.

88.    Partially fill the sink with water when rinsing the dishes instead of letting the water continuously run.

89.    Mulch your gardens with recycled rubber mulch, it will allow all of the water to reach your plants and also 

Recycled Mulch

help to keep the soil from drying out.

90.    Serve food in the pots that you cooked the food in and it will take longer to fill the dishwasher.

91.    Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.

92.    When you refill the pet’s water bowl, give the old water to your plants.

93.    Grow your own vegetables, organically so all they need is a quick rinse.

94.    Water your lawn or garden with the water from your fish tank when it is time to clean it.

95.    Convert a portion of your lawn into a patio or deck – they never need to be watered.

96.    Don’t allow water to run down slopes and hill when you water them.  Water for a few short periods with a few minutes between each.

97.    Use organic fertilizers to promote slow healthy growth.

98.    Measure how much you water your lawn or garden with a rain gauge or empty can to prevent over watering.

99.    Water your lawn once every three weeks or less and let your lawn go dormant during the summer.

100. Put a bucket in the shower with you and use the captured water to flush the toilet.

101. Share water saving tips with your family and friends.

Have fun and start saving!

Dan Bossenbroek