Minimizing my Energy Usage as Much as Possible for 24 Hours

"The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but in building the new"

(Socrates) 

“Energy is defined as the capacity to do work; like all living things, we humans need it, in a biological sense to survive. But we also need it to run out our societies – to heat and cool our homes; operate our cell phones, lamps, laptops; fuel our cars; and power our industries”  (Houtman, Karr, and Interlandi 335).

Wind energy

Worldwide, every human being uses different types of energy in his daily basins; for example, a person can drive his vehicle or take a public transportation by using gasoline or oil that has been extracted through rocks and reservoirs. Also, people can benefit from wind energy. Wind energy is also one of the cheapest forms of energy available today and therefore it can be used by everyone, including poor farmers from rural areas. The biggest benefit one can reap out of wind energy is that it generates electricity, but does not release any harmful pollutants or gases as by products. This therefore makes it a safer and cleaner source of energy (http://energyprosandcons.org/)

Another form is solar energy, in this case, the form of producing energy is very quietly, but most important is that has the ability to harness electricity in remote locations that are not linked with a national grid. For example, the installation of solar panels in remote areas is more effective than laying the required voltage wires.

Saving energy to save the planet

Indeed, my experiment of minimizing my energy usage started last Sunday 25 by midnight. Yes, by midnight. First, I have talked with my daughter and explained the situation. (I had to offer her something as a gift if she helps) Since next day was a holiday “Memorial Day” I would be off of work & school, so it was a perfect occasion to work in our experiment; Otherwise, I’m not sure if we would do it as much as we did it now. Later, I have unplugged almost all the electronic devices at home:

Microwave

TV

Internet Wireless Router

Lamps (6)

Stove

Computer

Printer

Cell phones (2)

Alarm clock (2)

IPod

Electric Kittle

Coffee maker

Electric sharpener

Contrary, I couldn’t unplug the refrigerator since I have much food there, neither the electric water heater, this because I cannot operate it.

Trying to reduce my energy usage at least for one day

What we did?

The first step was to plan our activities for the next day. Then we followed our plan.  We woke up late on Monday. Then, we just had breakfast by noon without cooking (yogurt, fruits, cereal, and nuts). We just do laundry once a week, so we were free of it. We just use the community laundry room to wash our clothes. We do not use the drier during summer. Also, we wash many clothes by hand, yes by hand- washing.

On Monday we had an average of 88°F we have opened windows and doors in order to ventilate our apartment. By the time it was getting hot, my daughter started to ask me many questions of why we were doing our experiment; especially because she loves to watch movies on holidays. Then, I have remained her about getting her prize for helping me, then, we decided to read instead watching movies. Also, we slept a nap…it was a long one. After that, we did a long walk with our dog (it was a double one). Back home, we had lunch-dinner: sandwiches, salads, hummus, fruit, and any other cold food. Later, when started getting dark, we lit many candles. We have talked a lot with my daughter. Also, we have played with our dogie more that we usually do. At this moment, I have used a camera to take some pictures of our candlelight. The camera uses rechargeable batteries.

Enough light for our back yard

Candlelight everywhere 

A candlelight dinner 

Which changes I will be willing to continue?  I really loved my experiment, because we have spent more time with my daughter. We have talk and talk, read and talk, play with the dog and talk, and I really enjoyed it. In addition, I will be willing to cut back many things in order to spend more time with my daughter, for example we would decide to watch movies only Wednesday and Fridays. More, we have agreed to do not use computers, cell phones, IPods once a week. Yet, we can do gardening together, as we did on Monday.

Which changes I’m unwilling to gave up?

Since I have to drive to go to school & pick up my daughter from school, also I drive my car to work (Norco, CA) it is hard for me to give up using my car. It is not a commodity; in my case is a necessity. Moreover, I can unplug the refrigerator; since we use it for food purposes it is really hard to give it up. Also, the internet is another change that I’m unwilling to gave up; since I’m full time student, I need it for educational purposes, for example posting my blogs. 

What could I do to increase energy efficiency in my home without having to give up conveniences or technology?

1.    Unplug electric devices every day.

2.    Plug them back only If they are need it

3.    Follow a plan; for example, agree with your family to watch TV less than usual.

4.    Read more about forms of energy, then decide which ones you can use or support the most

5.    Go shopping only once every two weeks (make a list and do all shopping needed it)

There are more alternatives, but the most important would be having the determination to follow a plan and having discipline while working on it. It doesn't look like my two short goals of “Watching TV only twice a week” and “Going shopping twice a month” might be the solution to save energy, but at least, I feel like we can do it, so we will do it.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” (Napoleon Hill)