90 Percent Project - Weeks 8 & 9

Better late than never on my 90 Percent Project values for the past two weeks. Life sort of intervened and, although I kept my records up to date, I wasn’t much in the mood to organize it for a post. So, I’m back on track again. Week 9 is pretty awful in several categories, but I saw no way around it. Some things just had to be done—getting the lad organized and laundered and packed for his departure. And then there was the unbearable heat for a few days. Next week will be better.

Electricity
Week 8: 33 kWh
Week 9: 83 kWh

US Average: 11,000 kWh per household per year (avg. of 900 kWh per month, 211 kWh per week)
90 Percent reduction goal: 1100 kWh per household per year or about 90 kWh per month.

As we can tell, using the air conditioner for 4 days really messed up the downward trajectory in Week 9. One way or another, I’ll find a way to use the AC less often, although I have to admit that the difference between this year and last year is huge. I guess I am using the AC much less, but would like to use it even less.

And while I’m at it, here’s the graph reflecting my July bill’s total electric use. If not for that danged AC, it would have been less than June. Grrr.

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Gasoline purchased (for 2 people)
Week 8: 8.96 gallons
Week 9: 0 gallons

US Average: 500 gallons per person per year.
90 Percent reduction goal: 50 gallons per person per year.

Not having a young’un around for the latter part of Week 9 made a huge difference.

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Water (for 2 people)
Week 8: 201.98 gallons
Week 9: 523.67 gallons

US Average: 100 gallons per person per day, 700 gallons per week.
90 Percent reduction goal: 10 gallons per person per day, 70 gallons per week.

Week 9 involved much laundry for the lad’s leave-taking. And I did a lot of mopping and scrubbing. Still can’t imagine 523 gallons going down the drain, though. This week had better see a large improvement or I’ll be inclined to think that we have water gremlins—because I am NOT using much.

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Natural Gas
Week 8: 5.25 therms
Week 9: 8.75 therms

US Average: 1000 therms per household per year.
90 Percent Reduction Goal: 100 therms per household per year.

Week 9 - the extra laundry and hot water. I don’t wash in cold water very often, especially during hot weather when just breathing makes ya sweat. Cold water simply does not get out the body oils adequately and before long the closets stink. I cannot stand that odor. I try to economize in other areas.

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Trash (for 1.5 people)
Week 8: 6 lbs.
Week 9: 12 lbs.

US Average: 4.5 lbs per person per day, 31.5 lbs per week.
90 Percent Reduction Goal: .45 lbs per person per day, 3.15 lbs per person per week.

Week 9 - the lad cleaned his room.

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Consumer Goods
Week 8: $38.98 - Harry Potter books
Week 9: $0

US Average: $10K per household per year.
90 Percent Reduction Goal: $1000 per household per year.

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Food
I’m still haunting the Farmer’s Market and have been virtually vegetarian for the last week. Not out of any particular preference or moral principle. I just like the enormous variety that is now available at the farmer’s market. It won’t last all that much longer, so I’m reveling in it while I can.