One of the seasonal energy features of summer is: more showers. Not so, say you? Take as many showers in cold weather as you do in summer? Well, let me tell you about my daughters. In their salad days as teenagers they took several a day between them. I, as a hard-w0rking contractor, often find myself in the rain-room more than once a day.
And the electric tank in the basement that supplies my hot water is working overtime to supply all that hot water for extra showers. So add to my energy bill for modest air conditioning comfort the expense of extra hot water for more laundry and showers. And the alternative? EEEEEEEeeeeewwww! What's that smell? See the guy in the photo? Don't get any closer, or you'll receive way too much information. Wait until he's all done and dried off.
And the electric tank in the basement that supplies my hot water is working overtime to supply all that hot water for extra showers. So add to my energy bill for modest air conditioning comfort the expense of extra hot water for more laundry and showers. And the alternative? EEEEEEEeeeeewwww! What's that smell? See the guy in the photo? Don't get any closer, or you'll receive way too much information. Wait until he's all done and dried off.
What's Mr. Natural's astute, energy-conscious remedy? Well. First things first. Short, tepid showers. You're thinking, you don't know my kids. No, I don't know your kids. But I know how to turn down the settings on my water heater. And you can learn, too. Right here. And be extra careful if your tank is electric; use an insulated screwdriver and don't remove the wireshield. Just follow the directions, do the upper as well as the lower thermostat, and you can become as unloved as a beginning tuba player in minutes. And keep your teenagers away from screwdrivers. Come to think of it, I'll bet they don't know or care where your water heater is located.
Stronger deodorant? Doesn't instill confidence or convey that fresh clean feeling. but you can try. Hippie housefold hint no. 206: apply rubbing alcohol to your pits as you emerge from the shower, then use deodorant if you wish. Don't try this, ladies, after you shave under there. Be warned.
And there's what Kinky Friedman calls the "Waylon Jennings Bus Shower," in which you splash and swab your armpits while standing at the sink. Saves water, job gets done. No fresh, clean feeling, though. Now wipe up the floor.
Between the laundry, hot water and the air conditioning, it's hard to save an energy buck in hot weather. But you can try. Adjust your hot water heater, adjust your air conditioning thermostat, do full loads of laundry in cold water and hang the clothes in the sun to dry. Don't waste energy pleading with your teenagers. Tell them they smell just fine.
Stronger deodorant? Doesn't instill confidence or convey that fresh clean feeling. but you can try. Hippie housefold hint no. 206: apply rubbing alcohol to your pits as you emerge from the shower, then use deodorant if you wish. Don't try this, ladies, after you shave under there. Be warned.
And there's what Kinky Friedman calls the "Waylon Jennings Bus Shower," in which you splash and swab your armpits while standing at the sink. Saves water, job gets done. No fresh, clean feeling, though. Now wipe up the floor.
Between the laundry, hot water and the air conditioning, it's hard to save an energy buck in hot weather. But you can try. Adjust your hot water heater, adjust your air conditioning thermostat, do full loads of laundry in cold water and hang the clothes in the sun to dry. Don't waste energy pleading with your teenagers. Tell them they smell just fine.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment