1. Anderson Family UCCH Household Challenge

2. Household Statistics 4 people –2 adults –2 children (5 and 3 yrs old) Small house (1152 ft 2 ) Energy sources –Gas heat and water heater –Electric air conditioning

3. Initial Focus Driving Energy Usage –Electricity –Gas Water Usage Food Sources Other

4. Driving Didn’t go so well! –Difficult to do ANYTHING without driving –Change in driving habits (new job, kids start school in September –New Routine: daily commute ~30 miles round trip for each car (2 cars total) Future Plans… –Move to an area closer to work/school

5. Energy: Electricity Eliminated clothes dryer usage (use clothesline – used dryer <10 times) Replaced all light fixtures with fluorescent –Increased emphasis on turning off lights Installed programmable thermostat –Summer: 79 o (night), 84 o (day) –Winter: 55 o (night), 65 o (day)

6. Energy: Electricity

7. Energy: Natural Gas Efforts –Washed clothes in cold water –Wore clothing more than once before washing –Took short showers instead of baths –Showered every other day (with exceptions!)

8. Energy: Natural Gas

9. Water Usage Watered garden w/rain barrel Reclaimed water from tap/faucet while waiting for hot water. Used for: –Flushing toilets –Watering the dog –Watering plants Reused rinse water from dishes –rinse recycling, etc. Wore clothing more than once Took short showers instead of baths Showered every other day

10. Water Usage

11. Food Sources Ate locally when possible –Joined CSA –Purchased other local food when avail. Ate organically as much as possible Ate vegetarian/vegan –Reduced consumption of dairy products

12. Other Reduced use of disposable products –Bring cup/utensils when eating out Recycled as much as possible from home –1 garbage bag (<13 gal) per week of non-recyclable waste Clothing –Purchased more sustainable fabrics (organic cotton/hemp/bamboo – only when new clothing needed Purchased organic and fair trade coffee More conscious of consumer choices –Purchased more gifts from fair trade items/home made items –Carefully considered if item needed before purchase

13. Conclusions Can we continue? –YES! Future plans… –Move to location closer to work/school to reduce need to drive and spend less time in car!