May 06: 0643 kWh: This is our lowest power usage point. It represents a time when there was no A/C in the house, we did our laundry off-site, and we had not installed a sand filter to deal with algae in the rainwater. It includes the greenhouse exhaust fan, UV light, electric backup hot water, 2 computers, a PS2, electric range, microwave, and rainwater pump. We use this number, 643, as our "base line" measure when determining how much other luxuries cost in terms of kWh. By keeping to 1,000 kWh we can live on the energy generated by small-sized solar array. Bear in mind that said array runs about $25,000 and we have not installed it to date.

Jun 06: 1216 kWh: The A/C was installed mid-month.

Jul 06: 2067 kWh: A full month of A/C added approximately 1400 kWh.

Aug 06: 2387 kWh: The hottest month. We were even gone for 7 days of this month, and left the A/C off. It was still our highest usage point.

Sep 06: 2346 kWh: No changes.

Oct 06: 1607 kWh: We stopped using the A/C towards the end of this month, but we installed the sand filter. We also installed a washer and dryer this month.

Nov 06: 1319 kWh: No A/C this month. Using May 06 as a bench mark, we estimate that the sand filter and the dryer each use approximately 330 kWh per month.

Dec 06: 1567 kWh: We cannot explain the increase this month. Maybe the electric hot water heater uses more in the cold months.

Jan 07: 1598 kWh: We cannot explain the increase this month, but are still eyeing the hot water heater.

Feb 07: 1529 kWh: No changes.

Mar 07: 1531 kWh: No changes.

Apr 07: 1658 kWh: No changes.

May 07: 0975 kWh: The sand filter has been disconnected. This means that our earlier estimate that the sand filter uses up approximately 300 kWh per month was very accurate. For June, we have disconnected the electric hot water and are using solar heated water only. We have also eliminated the UV light. We'll be using the A/C in another few weeks, to the tune of an additional 1400 kWh. That puts us 1375 kWh over our energy budget. Where can we cut more?