• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

TGKWC – Weekly Confession 2

December 5, 2011 @ 22:07 By Gavin Webber 9 Comments

As the second week of the challenge passes by it is time to ‘fess up again!  Hopefully everyone is still taking their meter readings and trying little things to lower their consumption.

Once again, add up each daily figure for Week 2 in the “Total kWh used in home” column and divide by 7.  This will give you the daily average for the week.  Lower than your initial baseline is good, and lower than your Week 1 average is fantastic.

Personal confession time.  Our daily average for Week 2 is 16.8 kWh which is 1.1 kWh higher than last weeks average or 5% higher and just above my baseline.  The shame!  We had a spate of hot days over 32C so the air-conditioner was necessary which caused the increase.  However for the last few days of the week we did really well in the low teens.  Here is my data sheet (click to enlarge).

Here is my progress graph.

The trend is down which is a good thing, and we are striving to get a few days below 10 kWh in the next few days, but as the temperature is creeping up above 30C again later this week, we may not have the chance.

Kim also used the electric oven on the 29th, which is obviously a habit that is going to be hard to break.  Still I enjoyed the bread and biscuits that she made, so I cannot complain too much.  Kim’s mum flew out to Bangkok on Saturday so we have one less person in the home.  Even though we will miss her, it might just make the difference of me passing this challenge!

Hopefully everyone is still enjoying or at least getting something out of the challenge.  I certainly get a kick at 7 pm when I read my meter.  It is nice to finally work out the entire dynamics of the grid vs solar PV and how much we are actually consuming in total.  Even though we are not drawing much from the grid, I would still rather pump as much electricity back into the grid during the day as I can (sunny days obliging of course).

Anyway, I hope you are all doing better than I am, and I feel a little bit embarrassed that I am struggling with my own challenge.  Who would have thought?

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: The Great Kilowatt Challenge

← Tanks for the Memories Well Grounded Now →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Jo McLeay says

    December 5, 2011 at 23:05

    What a great idea. I have thought about doing a car use audit but haven’t started yet. Will soon though. I think all these things are great to raise your own awareness, and then to blog about them helps other people think about them too

    Reply
  2. Michael from Canberra says

    December 6, 2011 at 06:09

    I’m right back on my baseline of 3.8kWh per day. I might have to go around and double check we’ve unplugged devices like mobile phone chargers and the like – these things have a habit of getting plugged in and being left in!

    Reply
  3. Cath says

    December 6, 2011 at 08:21

    Our week 2 average was very slightly higher than week 1 (7 instead of 6.9). We had a 4kWh day on Saturday when it was really really sunny and we generated 15kWh. Then Sunday was the exact opposite. It was really cold and we only generated 2kWh while we used 9. Lights and warm food…

    Reply
  4. Jen says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:03

    Thank you for doing this. I have never tracked our electric use daily (only monthly) so this helps determine exactly the things we do that use more energy. Lesson learned so far: most of our variable energy use is lighting.

    Reply
  5. Dawn says

    December 6, 2011 at 13:47

    No worries, Gavin, with me in your corner…
    2nd week average: 33.4
    1st week average: 29.8
    baseline: 34.0

    In the spirit of true confessions, I will also admit that we got as high as 41.2 – this won’t help Kim’s case any, as the reason is undoubtedly because I ran the electric oven for 6.5 hours – that was 40 dozen cookies and mince tarts, in my defence! I should also say that the reason our numbers are 20 higher than everyone elses are is because we have two attic bedrooms heated with baseboard electric heaters – it’s winter here, so I don’t have a choice – they are set for 18 degrees. Also, we are very lucky here in BC that our grid electricity is 100% hydro power, so while I would like to reduce our energy useage, I am glad to know that what we do use is “clean”.

    Reply
  6. farmer_liz says

    December 6, 2011 at 14:25

    Well you inspired me to finally turn off the dog bone freezer, now that we have room in other freezers AND turn off the cheese fridge (now that we don’t have excess milk for a few months!). I haven’t read the meter yet, but I’m hoping that has made a difference. At the same time we’re also running our egg incubator and food dehydrator, so I may not have got very far! however, we did install 4 ceiling fans this year so we don’t use the air con unless it is over 30degC in the house. I want to know how Michael has achieved 3.8!!!

    Reply
  7. Coora says

    December 7, 2011 at 07:56

    Our average use this week is 8.25 compared to last weeks 11. We haven’t needed to use air conditioning this week as it has been cool and is now raining so our PV production is going down 9.14 over the week.

    Reply
  8. Lisa says

    December 7, 2011 at 18:37

    This weeks average is 8.1 which is better than the previous weeks. We did have a 12 day due to the oven and doing the wash I think. Hoping to get under the magic 8 this week!

    Reply
  9. Elspeth says

    December 10, 2011 at 21:07

    Down 0.4, so nothing to get too excited about. In Sydney we did have a few rainy days, so that impacted the solar power generated. I am also interested how Michael achieved his low usage…

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Strawbridge Family Inspiration
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Black Aphids On Garlic
Broad Bean Rust
Clay Oven First Layer
Chicken Hygiene
The Seven Stages Of Change
VegTrug Fail

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023