[kurlisola]

You have to really look at what the big energy users are in your house...air conditioner/heater; stove/oven; water heater; clothes washer/dryer.

I don't know how much you could cut it down to. Depends on how much $ per unit. But I'm guessing your dryer is using an awful lot of energy. So, if dh won't get the line up, do it yourself. Just the sight of you trying to dig the whole yourself should get him motivated...especially if he sees the neighbors seeing you do it. Just get all the supplies together (umbrella pole/clothesline, concrete, auger).

I've also often wondered about ovens & how much energy they use. Do you know anything about chinese cooking? Its pretty interesting, because there is/was a shortage of fuels in China; so, in order to use as little as possible, their foods developed in a way that minimizes cook time (while maximizing prep time). Where I might spend 10 minutes preping a roast & bake it in the oven for an hour; I can cooking an entire chinese dinner, only using the burners for about 10 minutes (with 50 minutes of prep time) Thats why their veggies & meats are cut so small thin/small, in order to lesson cooking time.

So, anyway, I guess my point is, look how you are using your appliances. Especially your stove/oven. Maybe you can try new dishes that minimize cook time.

Another thought is to not fret over this particular bill. Look at it this way...you've had the bill forever (well since you moved out from your parents house); and you have a large grocery bill forever. Now you've lowered your grocery bill (or will be doing so), so just chalk up the electric bill as a necessary evil.

You have been giving me food for thought though...maybe I'll perform a little experiment later in the year:-)