Christine

Why not considering window shutters. They keep the warm in and make a house more secure.

If you want some ideas how we could life in a more ecological way read the book "Ecotopia" from Ernest Callenbach.

Wikipedia about Ernest Callenbach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Callenbach

If you need to use a dryer always clean the sieve before use. The clothes will dryer fast and will use less energy.

... how to be energy efficient and even how to grow your own food so it doesn't have to be transported which also uses energy.

Get a clothes dryer with a vent to the outside. If this is not possible just have a longer hose and hang it out of a window.

A few years back we installed a wood stove with two radiators. And we got solar hot water heating installed as well. We don't heat the water with electricity at all.

This food dehydrater was made around 50 years ago in Europe. I bought it there and use it since many years. It was made to be used with electricity or without on a wood stove.

It's more efficient to use a small lamp instead of the room light. My lamp has two differnet light settings and I can point the lamp to where I need it.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any E14 energy saving light bulbs in New Zealand and had to get them from overseas.

I wear wrist warmers while working at the computer. It helps me to keep my fingers warm.