At this point, it's something that evolved, and now we have connected the ideology to it. About the hybrid, Susan was behind it. As I recall, it was both to do our part and to be a role model, as it were. At the time, gas prices were relatively low, and we were told that it was unlikely that we would recover the cost difference in fuel savings (especially given how little we drive). I don't know if that calculus would have changed if the $4/gallon prices last summer had continued.
What other kinds of things have you added along the way?
Mike: Some small things: We put up a clothes line last summer, and use it as a partial alternative to the dryer, but only weather permitting, and only for certain types of loads. In the summer, we try to run our washer, dryer and dish washer late at night or early in the morning when demand is lowest (and cost is less -- we have the plan with ComEd where our rates change each hour). We wash all clothes, including linens,with cold water.
Susan shops with cloth bags, and only gets paper bags when we need them for our garbage. We use our attic fan to cool off our house before turning on the A/C. We use ceiling fans rather than the AC if possible and, if not, we use them in conjunction with the A/C set at a higher temp. We don't water our lawn. We water our tomatoes early in the morning or inthe evening. We don't leave the water running when we brush our teeth, or when I shave. On Shabbat [Jewish Sabbath], most of the lights we use are on timers.
To a certain extent, (including our membership in a CSA [Community Supported Agriculture]; shopping at the Skokie Farmers' Market; etc.) we buy locally-grown produce.
Tell us more about CSAs.
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