[Utilizer]

It’s not simply utilities. Using spot lighting instead of room-filling light fixtures, going from 100W incandescent bulbs to 40W Florescent ones, then 23W ones, then moving to 8W LED bulbs (or 16W even) makes a huge difference.

Rather like noticing the difference when you notice if you turn off the telly when you are not really interested in watching or when you need to go into another room for a bit instead of leaving it running, many little changes can make a huge difference in the total impact done compared to what you were previously used to.

Many little things add up over time to make a rather substantial difference if you simply apply certain considerations consistently over a period of time.

And if all it costs you is a bit of effort now and again, why not?

[Political Junkie Too]

That's my point. If the utilities are complaining that solar homes are getting all the advantages of low power usage but the utilities still have to maintain the expense of hooking up the houses to the grid, then why aren't they also complaining about the frugal homeowner who does all the things that you suggested, too?

It's the same net effect to the utility, but "solar" isn't the bogeyman anymore.

-PJ