Long before Global Warming, $4.00 heating oil and, yes even before gas-guzzling SUV's, the household I grew up in was quite Green-oriented and intensely focused on the efficient use of energy; suffice it to say, we were way ahead of our time. But, before you go thinking that my father must have been a genius, some sort of soothsayer, or the original tree-hugger, let me set that straight - - he and my mother were both raised during the Great Depression so, even though we never went without, we didn't buy anything we didn't need and we certainly didn't waste what we had. The energy policy in our house back then may require some translation in this day and age. Most of my father's policies started with the words, "What's the matter with you?" As in "What's the matter with you, the house is lit up like the Las Vegas Strip (or seasonally, like a Christmas tree)?" Translated, that meant "When you leave a room, turn the lights off." Another one of his favorites was, "What's the matter with you; are you trying to heat the great outdoors?" That meant, "It's 30 degrees below zero; shut the door quickly when you come in from outside!" You get the idea? Similarly for the hot, humid, summer months, "What's the matter with you, were you born in a barn?" That is the correlation to the winter version of close the door - only it was meant to keep the cool air inside and the hot air outside - it also served a secondary purpose of keeping flies out of the house, but that's a different topic. And one more, for the teenager who liked to take 25 minute steamy, hot showers, thereby depleting the hot water tank for all others, the question was, "What's the matter with you, trying to make the well go dry?" This was obviously a message not only for energy conservation, but for resource conservation as well.
As much as times change, they stay the same. I remember the gas lines of the 70's and my father buying a fireplace insert to heat the house rather than pay the high price of heating oil back then. It was an adventure (NOT!) to have 5 kids sleeping in the family room to stay warm. Sound familiar?
Our household energy policy was based on common sense and dollars and cents - pretty simple and you can implement a simple household energy policy of your own. There is lots of good information at the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) website. Just follow the links from there to get help with evaluating your home's energy use and also get information about projects you can do yourself that will help save on your future energy costs.
Please feel free to visit Allen & Selig Realty's Bath office at 15 Vine Street to pick up a free packet of outlet and switch plate insulation (while supplies last)! "What's the matter with you, don't you know that every little bit helps!"
Contact Allen & Selig Realty Today
207/443-2200
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