actual energy use in 2008

Here are some real numbers for a 3,200 sq foot home in the San Francisco Bay Area. With four real people using real appliances, lights, etc. No fancy light bulbs (i.e. CFL's) here. No solar or wind power (it is too expensive, even with the rebate), and a truly modern life-style that includes TV, home theater, several computers and printers, iPods, broadband, microwave, 20 cu inch fridge-freezer, dishwasher, treadmill, etc, etc. 

In short, you could not tell our house apart from that of the neighbors (except that we don't light it up like a Christmas tree all night long). We don't believe in illuminating the universe. We leave that to the sun and the stars.

No shortcuts, except that we turn everything off when we don't use it. It is not hard to do. Really!

Granted, our climate is mild, but mostly we don't heat (or cool) unless we have to and then only where we have to.

Total electricity use for the year: 2,589 KwH or about 216 KwH per month. Average daily use: 7.15. These are actual numbers from my electric bill ! No fudging.

Total gas use (house is gas heated): 195 Therms or 0.53 Therms per day.

Energy bill for the year (2008): $584 for gas AND electricity, 12 months.

How are you doing?