Go ahead, pull the plug!!!

We are not so unlike many families.  It's easy to judge, but consciousness comes one thing at a time.  We've done some things like dual paned windows, solar, CFL's in the lights, but we ashamed to admit we just couldn't face getting rid of that dinosaur in the basement.  We did it!!! And whew withdrawal was tougher before we pulled the plug than it has been after.  Yes, we've been hearing that the old refrigerator in the garage is inefficient and uses too much energy... but it wasn't until the electric portion of our bill hit several hundred $$ a month that we started looking for something more to eliminate and get a handle on the issue.    Unacceptable and unconscious, but it  got our attention. 

The refrigerator with cracked seals and a motor that ran constantly to keep our water, extra cookies, extra ice and other such essentials cold winter and summer.  And the occasional turkey that wouldn't fit in the upstairs fridge when we were getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Oh and don't forget sodas for the barbecues in the summer.  After hearing the angst, pros and cons of the situation one too many times, hubby just went down and unplugged the thing, called PGE and asked them to come get it.  Hey, they will pay us $35 for the old one!  That's an incentive right there. 

Oh the drama.   NOT.  What to do, well simple really. The water - we just kept it out and put in a few bottles when we needed them, better yet, we used the refillable aluminum water bottles.   Soda -  we buy it when we have a bbq and put it in an ice chest with ice.  The turkey, well that might be a problem, but we'll order organic and pick it up before Thanksgiving and see how it works.  AHHHHHH relief, it wasn't a necessity after all. Perceived value and what an investment, the sad thing is how long we paid that extra $100 a month for cookies and ice cream, soda and an occasional turkey.  It's down right embarrasing.

Best part $100 a month or more has been coming off our utility bill.  SO the search goes on for getting that bill down, now I want more...

That leads me to look at all the other appliances that we have and how efficient they are and I found there are rebates and incentives for other appliances.  Hum,  we've started something here.

PG&E offers hundreds of rebates on energy efficiency improvements.  The rebates are available on many leading brands and the upgrades can help reduce your energy costs and lower your impact on the environment.  Let's see what we can do, I'll report back later. 

- Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 32 years.  She works with Diablo Realty in Walnut Creek and is consistently a top producer.  Terrylynn is a local expert, please contact her for any Real Estate needs, or with a question about the area.