Energy Hogs in Your Home

Note: This was first published on justplainmarie.ca back in 2015, when I was still living in an 800-square-foot cabin deep in the woods, with nothing but a few solar panels and three car batteries for backup. It’s now updated for Just Plain Living in 2025 – because energy isn’t getting any cheaper, and frankly, neither is life.

From Solar Rations to the Electric Bill Shock

When I first wrote about energy hogs, I wasn’t just being frugal for fun. We didn’t have the luxury of being wasteful. At the cabin, our entire household was limited to a maximum of 2 kWh per day—and in December, you’d be lucky to hit that target. Short days, cloudy weather, and snow-covered panels meant there were nights when the only thing running was a single LED lamp and a (small, blessedly silent) propane fridge.

The laundry? Done outside with a wringer washer when the weather cooperated. Dishes? By hand, heating water on the stove. “Instant hot water” wasn’t a thing, and I learned more than I ever wanted to about what really matters when your power is strictly rationed.

But life has a way of forcing your hand. By September 2016, my health was declining, and we needed to move closer to medical care—something you simply can’t do off-grid in the deep woods. We moved into a sprawling (to us) 2,800-square-foot farmhouse with real insulation, real plumbing, and, for the first time in years, a normal electric bill.

That first winter, the house felt luxurious—until the first Nova Scotia Power bill arrived. I still remember the sticker shock, even after all the trade-offs we’d made for my health. Suddenly, I had the option of running the dryer, letting the hot water tank hum away, and plugging in every kitchen gadget. The reality? Convenience is expensive.

What I Learned About Energy Hogs—Lessons for Modern Life

I’m not living off-grid anymore, and I’m not going back. But those years taught me a lot about what actually burns through power, and how little you can get by with—willingly or not.

When Every Watt Counts

We literally couldn’t be energy hogs in the cabin – there wasn’t enough electricity to spare.
Cloudy week in December? The “to do” list shrank to “keep the lights on, keep the fridge cold.”
I learned the value of a backup plan (hello, candles and thermoses) and what “essentials” really means.

Household Shock: Going From 2kWh/day to 800kWh/month

The big house made daily life easier, but at a price.
That first bill was a wake-up call – electric heat, hot water tank, and (let’s be honest) kids leaving lights on in every room.
Lesson: The less you have, the more creative you get. The more you have, the easier it is to forget what things really cost.

Hot Water Tanks: Still Enemy #1

Whether you’re off-grid or on, the hot water tank quietly gobbles power, day and night.
What we do now: We got rid of the traditional hot water tank and switched to a propane furnace with on-demand hot water.

Clothes Dryers: Sweet, Sweet Luxury (That You Pay For)

Cabin days: line drying, even in winter.
Now: Dryer is back in use, but I’ll hang laundry outside all summer when I can. Old habits die hard – and that’s not a bad thing.

Fridge: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

We survived with a 3.3 cu ft propane fridge; now, a regular one feels huge.
Still, I try to avoid overfilling or keeping things in the fridge “just because” – if I wouldn’t run the fridge for it off-grid, maybe I don’t need it now.

Appliances and “Phantom Loads”

Off-grid, you learn fast what draws power even when “off.”
Back on-grid, we use power bars with switches for TV, computers, chargers – anything that doesn’t need to run 24/7.

Why It Matters Now (Even If You’re Not Off-Grid)

You don’t have to move to the woods, but with electricity prices climbing every year, every small win counts. I know not everyone can – or should live the way we did, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to do it again. But if you’re looking to survive modern life without watching your utility bill eat your grocery budget, maybe a few off-grid lessons are worth stealing:

Turn down the hot water tank. Insulate it.
Hang laundry when you can – even once a week helps.
Right-size your fridge and avoid phantom loads.
Remember: convenience is expensive. Sometimes it’s worth it. Sometimes, not so much.

Your Turn – War Stories, Hacks, and Surprises?

Ever tried to seriously cut your power use – even just as an experiment? Did you discover a new favorite trick, or swear you’d never do it again? Drop your best (or worst) stories below. Commiseration and tips are always welcome.

Copyright Marie Campbell Beausoleil, updated 2025 for Just Plain Living. Originally appeared on justplainmarie.ca (2015).