thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner

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Unless a person is off the grid with either solar or wind here in the Sierras, having propane is the least expensive since it can cost at least 10k to run underground power lines from the road to your home, and come winter if the power from the grid is out you cannot cook.

And having a catalytic converter on any wood burning stove is a must here, if we want the air to be clean. And since most are on home wells, having water saving appliances is a must. Many have the newer low water use front loading washers and low water use dishwashers.

But people also use more of the old fashioned wringer washers as well. Like the Amish use. And most of us have old fashioned wash boards that we bought from Lehmans.com who sell to the Amish. Most items need spot washing not an entire wash. So be it underwear or shirts etc, using a wash board to wash only the soiled areas and then rinsing and line drying save water as well as energy.

And using the windwhield foil looking shades that we use to keep the car cool on a hot day, to make a solar over really does work!

~Beth~

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Its not regular electric stoves, its induction. Gas is better in my experience you can also buy energy plates.. example http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/good-ideas/gas-energy-saver/ . Solar is a good investment for lighting and for other uses but you need lots of good panels and sun! no likely here in denmark.
But when living without electricity for 1 yr we used a camping stove, worked well. No heating, blankets, we did have a little gas heater with an eement attached to a gas bottle, nt regulary used more for guests.
Also maybe those who have old gas items should get them checked and open a window! you shouldnt get fumes from gas stoves heaters, etc.

Washing machine, no electricty needed, was great http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/good-ideas/gas-energy-saver/

We have a small oven, seems more energy efficent due to smaller space than bigger ovens.

Teflon is terrible, a great suggestion to keep it out of the kitchen.

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Last year when I became ill from indoor pollution I had to have the house rewired for electric appliances. I took out the stove, dryer, and heater. While I don't like using more electricity and loved my propane appliances, the switch may have saved my life. You should do whatever you can best afford on all fronts. Next time we will build as off-grid as possible.

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Also, any kind of veggie wax--most commonly soy--is a good alternative for candles and such as well. I love beeswax, but I haven't been able to find any info stating that acquiring it can be done without harming them. They're so weakened right now with CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) as it is. They've found a link, FINALLY, in a common virus. But they've found they get the virus because they're weakened, due to so many reasons. I not only don't want to take any chances with these great little creatures, I find it mean, if my research is correct because they're hurt in the process. And since I've heard veggie waxes offer the same nontoxic and air cleaning qualities, and are easy enough to find, I opt for those instead. I'm not trying to be a Nazi here, but I am very concerned and do hope you consider bee's health in your candle, etc., purchases. I'm sure there are better companies than others, like Clarks, Burt's Bees, and Ambrosia, but my favorite is Zapatista. I talked to the owner and he told me some great info on his product!! Yet I think they only do honey?? Anyhow, it's something to consider, or to prove me wrong on, which I hope can be done, but I hope more that you find out for sure before you buy. Cheers, Cindy

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I made my own solar oven out of cardboard, foil, glue, and black fabric. I based this on several sites I browsed. It's great, though I do need to keep it out of the rain. It takes about twice as long to cook, but it NEVER burns, which is a must for someone as forgetful as me. It's easy, you need a reflector--I used a foil covered cone at a boxes opening--and a black area to absorb the reflection's heat--otherwise it reflects away. It's an in front of the t.v. project, and also works great for canning. Regarding dryers, try to hang those clothes instead. Dryers probably use the most electricity out of any appliance, aren't as nice as clothesline fresh, and often create static cling. When you have to use them, try a lower heat when possible. Most think they need hotter than they do, but this mostly is just hard on clothing and wasteful. Solar is great! But so is wind! Turbines are cheaper, and I believe rebates for them were approved in the bailout scam we were forced into. WooHoo! Something good may have come out of all that bad. Boy, oh boy. Now it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, thinking of how we saved those "poor" billionaires. Sorry, got a little testy there. But look into wind too. Sogogreen has a really cool turbine, it picks up the subtlest of breezes, and is quiet enough your neighbors won't complain. Plus, birds aren't hurt by them--these were some of my concerns. I can't remember the site, but you could easily do a search for Sogogreen. Cheers!

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I eliminated my gas range many years ago because the house always smelled of fumes from pilot lights. Purchased one electric stove from an auction and used it many years, then purchased the next one at a garage sale in new condition. Also substituted an electric clothes dryer for a gas dryer. Using electric appliances eliminates a lot of indoor air pollution. Our homes are our primary indoor environment and should be our first concern.

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Where do you think electricity comes from? At this point many many power plants are run on coal, one of the biggest polluters on the planet. Increasing your use of electricity is not a way to be green.
I will keep my propane. Until I can go solar. Many women in Africa and other developing nations already cook in purely solar cookers, outside.

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Even though it usually only happens once a year or so in our area - gas stoves still work when power is out following a hurricane. After Katrina we were out of power for 3 weeks but were able to use the gas stove top. I doubt that I could ever get my husband to switch to an electric stove (he does all our cooking)- and not just for that reason.

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