Saving Energy and Everything Else--One Holm at a Time

By Dennis Holm 

Something strange happened a few months ago to Mr. Holm of rural Wisconsin.  He noticed a REA Power truck pull into his driveway.  The REA employee got out of his truck and began to walk around his property. Mr. Holm went outside and said, “What’s the problem?”  The REA employee stated “I was sent out to your property to see why you are using such little electricity”.   Mr. Holm said, “I don’t waste anything!” The REA employee checked out the electric meter and found everything in working order and left.  To truly understand Mr. Holm you would need to have known him as I have for over 47 years. I am fortunate to be one of his and his late wife Dorothy’s six children.  

To get the full story of how Mr. Holm (dad) became a saver of energy and everything else you have to start in his early years on the small rural family farm in Wisconsin. He was born in 1929 and lived on the farm during the 30’s and 40’s not far from his current home. The farm didn’t have running water in the house or electricity until 1948.  They listened to the radio by using car batteries. Heat came from wood and lighting was from kerosene lamps. Dad said,  “You didn’t know you missed it because you never had it”.  Growing up during the 30’s drought and great depression you learned not to waste anything.  He told me stories of his mother scraping her carrots with a knife not using a carrot peeler because you had less waste. He still does that today. His father worked the farm and also worked in town for the ice company delivering ice to homes and businesses. Baths were once a week with the dirtiest kid using the water last in a small metal tub.  Water came from the barn in milk pails. The toilet was an outhouse about an acre away from the house. 

Dad built his current home of over 50 years with help from his father who used his team of horses to dig the hole for his basement and his uncle laid the cement blocks.  He lived with his family in the basement for two years until he had saved enough money to build the above ground portion of his home. He only borrowed $3500 to finish off his home.  Throughout his life he never borrowed money for anything. If he wanted an item, he saved for it. I interviewed my mother during her last days with cancer.  She stated about paying interest,  “You can’t afford to lose money before you even get it.” Growing up my father would bring us kids with him and mom when they were purchasing large items like cars or appliances. We got to see the master at work wheeling and dealing the sales person down in price with six kids hanging around his legs. Looking back he used us to get a better price from the sales person. One of his favorite stores was Sears. He always said, “If it’s not at Sears, you don’t need it!” Shopping with my father was always the same. He would line us kids up in row before entering the store and ask us all the same question, “Do you have any money?” We would all answer him one by one the same way “No!” He would then say, “Then don’t touch anything!” Dad knew us kids received very low weekly allowances and that we did not have any money. We normally earned money from picking cucumbers that were then sold to the local pickle factory.  He was always telling us to turn off the lights, use less water, and we never would waste any food.  We did have fun growing up. The family went camping and boating every weekend in the summer.  In the winter we would go snow skiing and ice fishing.  How my dad handles money has taught me important rules about money.

• Give your children what they need not what they want.
• When shopping don’t touch items if you do not have any money.
• Live below your means.
• Only borrow for long-term assets. 

 A few weeks ago my wife and I went to see the Al Gore movie “ An Inconvenient Truth” plus we purchased the book. At the end of the book and movie there was a section called “So here’s what you personally can do to help solve the climate crisis.” After reviewing the suggestions I realized my dad was already doing them and then some.   The following are ways that dad is saving on energy plus more:

Saving energy one Holm at a time: 

Choose energy efficient lighting:

Dad already has purchased four super-efficient compact fluorescent lights where he reads.  He normally only has one light on in the house.  

Choose energy-efficient appliances when making new purchases:

Dad’s big purchase in the last 5 years was a new furnace/air conditioner called a WaterFurnace.  It is one purchase has been the main reason his energy bills have been so low.  The company claims that owners experience energy savings of up to 60% per year. His electric bill runs around $40-$50 in the summer and on very cold months up to $75 for his 1200 sq. ft. ranch house. For more information on the furnace company see their Website www.waterfurnace.com.  You have to remember that he uses electricity for his water heater, lighting, air conditioner, and furnace.  His only other energy used in the house was for his gas grill that he hardly uses. Note: The gas company has threatened to remove their gas tanks because his low use of gas. When he is shopping at Sears for an appliance, he always looks for the best Energy Star appliance. He stated, “The best Energy Star items are not always the most expensive.”

Properly operate and maintain your appliances:

Dad is always cleaning the filters on his appliances. His light bulb on his refrigerator went out over 2 years ago. He has not replaced the light because it is not needed. When an appliance gets to the point of no return dad has already been scouting out a replacement at Sears.  He looks for a simple efficient replacement. He stated, “No fancy water or ice dispenser needed on my next refrigerator.”  He has never owned a dryer or nor does he use the dishwasher.  He stated, “ The dishwasher was his worst purchase ever!” He now uses the dishwasher as a storage unit for dishes.   He only uses the washing machine when he has a full load.  He uses the same shirt or pants over and over until it smells on average after 5 or 10 uses and the clothesline is his dryer of clothes.  He always washes his dishes by hand.  If only feeding himself, he will rinse his bowl or dish and silverware then put them in his refrigerator to be used again for his next meal.

Heat and cool your house efficiently and insulate your house:

Dad replaced his windows and front door to increase energy efficiency about 6 years ago. He keeps his air conditioner at 78 degrees. He closes off rooms and turns off their vents that are not currently needed and does not heat or cool the finished basement. This reduces his 1200 sq. ft. home to less than 800.  When building his home, he placed the house on the south side of the garage.  There is a breezeway between the garage and the house. He uses the side door of the house that enters the breezeway to enter and exit his house, which keeps him from losing cooled or warmed air from his home.  He has also planted trees many years ago to help reduce his energy usage.  Pine trees are planted on the north side of the acre lot to keep the cold north wind off his home. Maples and oaks are planted to help shade the home during the hot summer days. Just a few weeks ago he painted his roof with white roofing paint to help reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in the summer months.  The white roofing paint should also prevent him from replacing his shingles and sending his old shingles to the local landfill for a few more years.    

Conserve hot water:

Dad is the master at reducing his use of hot water.  When washing dishes by hand he will take a bucket downstairs and take the hot water from a faucet next to the hot water heater.  If he is using his woodstove, he keeps a kettle of hot water on the stove and uses it to wash dishes or take a bath. He keeps his heater at 125 degree F.  He washes clothes in warm water.  When taking a bath, he only uses 2 inches of water. Note: He averages 2 baths per week.

Get around on less--drive smarter:

Dad has been purchasing subcompact cars over the last 10 years. His current car is a 2000 Suzuki Swift that averages around 40 mpg.  His last car was the GEO Metro.  When I was young he only purchased Fords.  He stated, “I needed a big car to transport 8 people around, plus gas was cheap!! Those days are gone!!” He also stated that the Ford Focus was not being made when he purchased his current car.  If he were going to purchase a new car today, he would look at the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris.  My uncle Wally stated that a friend was in Europe and saw an ad for a diesel Ford Focus that gets over 60 mpg. Why is Ford not selling this car in USA?  

Consume less, conserve more-one Holm at a time: 

Consume less & buy things that last:

I was looking through some old family photos a few weeks ago at my dad’s home. I was viewing a photo of dad and mom around 40 years ago. I looked up and my dad was wearing the same shirt. Shirt still looked great. He stated, “I purchased the shirt in Hawaii about 30-40 years ago for half price because it was winter shirt with long sleeves.”  Many of his clothes are over 20 years old.  He also will purchase clothing from second hand stores like Goodwill, and Savers.  Most of his tools are all over 30 years old but are kept in good condition by taking care of them.  His current tire pressure gauge is from his service in the Korean War used to test plane tires he flew in during the war.  If he has clothing or other items he does not need, he will try first to donate to Goodwill.  Extra food from his large garden is donated to the local food shelf program.   Dad stated, “I think it is unbelievable what people think they need and what they buy and what they use nowadays compared to what they actually need.  It’s all; every bit of it is contributing to global warming. I believe that global warming is our biggest problem in the world.” 

Pre-cycle-reduce waste before you buy:

Dad starts his recycling at the store.  He looks at the packaging to see if the container can be recycled or will it end up in the local landfill.  He told me all plastic containers have a number on the bottom (1,2,3…) His landfill will recycle numbers 1 and 2 plastic containers.  I have found a good Website that can give you detailed info on the plastic container recycling numbers www.greenfeet.com/recycle-by-numbers.html .  He also boycotts the products that have unnecessary packaging.  He uses the same hard plastic bottle for water.  He keeps the water bottle in his refrigerator to keep the water cold. 

Recycle:

Dad spends around $1.00 per month on trash removal from his home.  His county in Wisconsin has its residents purchase landfill trash bags for $2.00 each. The following is how he keeps his costs down by recycling. He recycles all newspapers, cans, bottles, and plastic number 1 & 2.  He burns at home any mailing with his name on it.  He composts any organic waste materials. He is left with one trash bag every other month.  I was so shocked the first time I saw him go the local landfill that I took his photo.  We can all learn from him on recycling our own trash.  He was also very upset that Wisconsin is currently taking tons of trash from the Twin Cities Minnesota.

Compost:

Dad doesn’t waste organic materials.  He grew up on a farm and has been a gardener all his life. He knows that his garden needs to replace the nutrients each year to add energy and food to the soil.  Even the local crows get into the act of recycling by eating his chicken bones and fish heads. His property is teaming with local wildlife, which he feeds through his compost pile, bird feeders, oak trees, and garden. One day I noticed that some of his lettuce was eaten in the garden. He stated, “Even the rabbits have a right to eat.”   

Modify your diet to include less meat: 

Dad has his daily rituals.  When I asked him about how he keeps healthy, he gave me the lowdown.  

“6:00 a.m.  Rise and shine!  I have a glass of low sodium V-8 juice and ½ bagel or some of my homemade bread with Smart Choice spread and thin slices of garlic with a cup of tea.  

10:00 a.m.  I have some Total all bran cereal and a glass of grape juice with some vitamins-calcium, vitamin A&D.   

12:00 noon I sometimes make myself a salad with greens from my garden in the summer.  I make a light salad dressing with cider vinegar, oil, a little ginger and lemon juice –makes the salad last longer and more healthy.  I have deer burger or fish – trout I catch at the stream nearby—and I usually have precooked shrimp on hand—tasty dipped in cocktail sauce.  Sometimes I have a fig cookie for desert. 

 I have a few honey-roasted peanuts during the day.  For supper I sometimes make potato soup with potatoes, onions and carrots with seasonings.  For a snack at night I might have cinnamon graham crackers or a few honey roasted peanuts or a Nature Valley Trail Mix bar.  In the winter I have a cup of decaf or hot cocoa at night.  I always have farm fresh eggs from my grandsons in the fridge.  I don’t need to buy bottled water—my water tastes great!”   

View of global warming from two generations:

Dad sees waste everywhere he looks in today’s society, which is causing global warming.  We waste with our large homes, SUVs, and items we really don’t need. If we lived as my dad, our energy consumption would be greatly reduced.  Josh his eighteen-year-old grandson sees global warming as something he will need to go through during his life.  Josh looks for scientists to help reduce the impact of global warming. One of his favorite magazines is “Popular Science”.  He stated, “It is going to get much worse before the earth and scientists can help straighten it out.” The next generation looks for the smartest in the room for help to solve their problems and dad looks at using less of everything.  Both these solutions may be needed to turn away from our biggest “Iceberg ahead!!” global warming.  

Solutions for global warming on Icebergahead.org:

My wife and I started a Website a few years ago called Icebergahead.org.  Icebergahead.org is focused on both social and environmental issues facing the USA and the world.  We kept the Website on the backburner while we worked our fulltime jobs.  I think it is time to move Icebergahead.org to the front burner now because of all the issues facing mankind.  

Why we called the Website Icebergahead.org. The name “iceberg ahead” is synonymous with the Titanic.  The lookouts’ duty on the Titanic was to alert the crew of icebergs in their path.    Just like the Titanic we think we are unsinkable.  If we don’t look ahead and recognize our “icebergs”, we too could end with the same fate as the Titanic. There are both environmental and social issues that can sink mankind.  These issues need to be addressed and solutions found for us to stay on course. A little known fact is that if the Titanic had turned six feet earlier, it would have missed the iceberg and changed history, as we know it.

The current administration does not seem to be listening to the smartest people on the planet for solutions to the issue of global warming. Our scientists have been yelling “Iceberg Ahead” for years on global warming. Now most of us can even see the “Iceberg Ahead” racing toward us at an alarming speed.  We need to make some very fast course changes.  Here are just a few solutions Icebergahead.org believes we should do to change course.  

• Implement the steps in Popular Science July 2006 article “The Energy Fix, 10 steps to end America’s fossil-fuel addiction”.
• Follow the life habits of my dad.

• The Diamond lane is the mirage of the freeway system. They were built to reward drivers with two passengers per car called carpooling.  But 99 % of us travel to and from work by ourselves.  We spent billions of our tax dollars creating these carpool lanes throughout our major metro areas.    We should allow small (diamond) cars with one passenger that average 30-mpg or more to drive in the diamond lanes.  Currently around 10 percent of the cars would qualify based on the EPA mpg tested cars. By moving the small cars into the diamond lanes, we all get the following benefits:  We all get to work faster. Note: The small (diamond) cars owners will get to work in the shortest time.  We would be utilizing the diamond lanes that we already paid taxpayer dollars to build.  We would be promoting fuel economy that will protect the environment, conserve resources for future generations, reduce oil imports, and save money.

• Take a walk around your neighborhood and you will notice the pride we take in our homes.  High home ownership in a metro area is known to increase the overall quality of life in the area. Currently local governments are heavily taxing our homes through property taxes. They need the revenue to run our local government operations.  The taxes are needed but we are taxing the wrong items.  Tax me for what I use not for what I own.  The news is full of cities that are running low on natural resources needed to function.  These natural resources are water, natural gas, electricity, and removal of trash. One minute our city government wants us to use our water because it is a revenue center.  When a drought occurs, the city creates watering restrictions and/or bans certain watering activities. We need a long-term water reduction program to help us conserve our limited water resources. Note: We are all down stream from someone else.  If we abuse water, down stream does not have the needed water to function.  This can easily be said about all of the other limited resources we use daily.  We need to freeze our property taxes at 2006 levels. Any increases to our taxes should be placed on our limited resources (water, electricity, natural gas, and removal of trash).  As the costs of these items increase residents will begin to conserve them.  Our five to ten year goal should be to reduce our per person usage of limited resources by 50 percent. Programs and new technologies could help us reach our goals. Note: Even in Minnesota with over 10,000 lakes, we are currently in a drought praying for rain to come soon.  We do not want to wait until we are out of the limited resources to begin saving them.

• We seed, weed, edge, mow, fertilize, and water them. Millions of dollars are spent each month on keeping our lawns in top shape. Our lawns give us little benefit back from all of this hard work. Their main benefit is to reduce soil erosion.  By converting part of our lawns into gardens, we could help feed us.  Gardens could also be developed in our area parks and other public areas.   Residents could come together to work on the public gardens.  Some of the food produced could be given to area food shelters. One of the hardest steps in creating a garden is the cultivation of the soil to change it from a lawn to a garden.  You could have your own tiller but I would recommend that area nonprofits and/or communities help you prepare the soil for planting. In return you would agree to donate some of the food grown and/or money to an area food shelter.  Note: You would also need to have the ground checked for underground gas pipes and wires.  Remember that we are just one or two generations away from our ancestors who were farmers.  Gardening will enrich you with much more than just a few tomatoes. 

Conserving and respect for the earth have been a natural part of Dad’s life.  We all need to change course to reduce our impact on this planet…one home at a time.