How about "no electricity" days?

[JoeP]

Joe,
But, I wonder why someone would go to the trouble of having a backup generator and then voluntary pull the plug on power? I thought the whole point of having a generator is so you never have to go without.

The purpose is to appreciate the intangible benefits of existence without electricity, in a controlled situation, without the stress of a storm or rising waters or unknown duration. Maybe during the next power outage, I won't bother firing up the generator until there is an actual need.

The concept seems simple to me, and maybe I didn't use the correct words. I really didn't intend for this to be such a contentious topic!

[KiwiJo09]

Yeah, I would have to agree that I wouldn't ever go a full day without using electricity at home. Quite frankly, in Florida, it's not the best idea. Air conditioning is not a luxury, it's a necessity. I've done no spend days, but not no electricity days.

[BuckyBadger]

The purpose is to appreciate the intangible benefits of existence without electricity, in a controlled situation, without the stress of a storm or rising waters or unknown duration. Maybe during the next power outage, I won't bother firing up the generator until there is an actual need.

The concept seems simple to me, and maybe I didn't use the correct words. I really didn't intend for this to be such a contentious topic!

I think the problem was that you were selling it as a money saving thing.

I have no problem with the concept of a "turn off technology" day for relaxation and connecting with our less-modern selves. I also have no problem with trying to remember not to waste electricity by turning off lights etc.

But to sell "no electricity days" as a way to save money seems kind of pointless. It's not going to save you enough money o do it a few days here and there to make it worth the trouble of flipping a breaker, and if you do it long enough to make a difference, you're going to essentially be living without electricity all the time, and I'm just not on board with that.

If I want to live without electricity I'll go camping, not just sit in my house with all my stuff turned off...

[bjl584]

I think the problem was that you were selling it as a money saving thing.

I have no problem with the concept of a "turn off technology" day for relaxation and connecting with our less-modern selves. I also have no problem with trying to remember not to waste electricity by turning off lights etc.

If I want to live without electricity I'll go camping, not just sit in my house with all my stuff turned off...

I agree with you with the concept of a no electricity day to slow down and make things simpler. I just wouldn't do it at home. Going camping and/or hiking for the day or weekend is a great way to get back to nature and relax. I've taken many trips to Canada going fishing and camping that were completely relaxing. No electric, no water, nothing. A camp fire to cook, a lake to bathe, a tree for the bathroom.

[JoeP]

I think the problem was that you were selling it as a money saving thing.

I have no problem with the concept of a "turn off technology" day for relaxation and connecting with our less-modern selves. I also have no problem with trying to remember not to waste electricity by turning off lights etc.

But to sell "no electricity days" as a way to save money seems kind of pointless. It's not going to save you enough money o do it a few days here and there to make it worth the trouble of flipping a breaker, and if you do it long enough to make a difference, you're going to essentially be living without electricity all the time, and I'm just not on board with that.

If I want to live without electricity I'll go camping, not just sit in my house with all my stuff turned off...

I guess we have different interpretations. I wrote:

First, we save a little money by using less power for a single day.

Second, more importantly, we appreciate the lack of distractions that come from electrical devices such as TV and computer and mp3 players, and find ways to enjoy the simple peace of family.

I thought the second part would have made it clear that the primary goal is not to save money. My bad, I guess.

[YLTL_Dan]

I was just forced to go through this because of Hurricane Isaac... and it was terrible! The hardest part was going through four hot New Orleans days with air conditioning. It took about 2 days to stop flipping a switch whenever I went into a room to attempt to turn on a light with no power. I don't plan on purposefully putting myself though that again

[maat55]

I think it is a great idea. I've always enjoyed the peace of being on the golf course, fishing or hunting for a few hours. Being around less technology slows the pace of life.

[BuckyBadger]

I think it is a great idea. I've always enjoyed the peace of being on the golf course, fishing or hunting for a few hours. Being around less technology slows the pace of life.

I agree with you! But as others have said, I'd rather be camping, fishing, or doing something outside rather than sitting in my dark house not using electricity.

And if I'm out of the house, I'm not using the electricity anyway!

[maat55]

I agree with you! But as others have said, I'd rather be camping, fishing, or doing something outside rather than sitting in my dark house not using electricity.

And if I'm out of the house, I'm not using the electricity anyway!

I actually get a little excited when the elelctric goes out. Using candles and reading a book is relaxing. My children are grown so simple family time is just I and DW. If for no other reason, it would be good exercise for possible longterm outages due to solar flairs or EMP attacks.

[Like2Plan]

...and speaking of no electricity...
We just had a storm go through and now no power!
I am surprised because it was about 15 mins of wind followed by about 30mins of rain-not much of a storm, so we'll see how long it's out. (Thank goodness for my iPad ).

[Like2Plan]

Hard to believe I live in a major metropolitan area...
Today, the sun is shinning, the birds are singing (or in my case there is a woodpecker "refinishing" one of my shutters) and the power is out again.... Estimated restoration time 2-3 hours. So, I have to rework my priority list. Unfortunately, the fall furnace check is scheduled for today. (i hope the power gets restored in time).

[Alyaska]

Oooh, I understand you. We've got the same problem in Texas, but 2 years ago, my husband bought eu 2000i, just few litres of gasoline and you' ve got an electricity whole day)