Here in Hawaii many of us have switched to CFL's and done other things to lower electric costs.

The good news is that we often have large windows which let in lots of natural light. We also have moderate temperatures so many of us have no heating or cooling bills and can leave the windows open 24/7.

What electricity I do use including all charges, costs about .42 per kwh or $5 per day. Still, $165 for the month is a lot less than I used to spend in Georgia.

Here I have the windows open unless it gets really cold at night. I often cook in the microwave, have a fridge and computer with LCD monitor. I have one small air conditioner which is only used to keep the unroasted coffee dry (I'm a coffee farmer :-).

The TV is LCD and on often. The hot water heater is a small one. I wanted to go with an on-demand one, but the old heater conked out and I was unable to get an electrician to rewire for the on-demand fast enough.

Here in paradise we burn lots of fuel oil (which is shipped in), we burn other things, have windmills and even have dabbled in geothermal from the volcano.

I'd like to think we are a bit more responsible out here in Hawaii because of our isolation. We must be because I see people saving money by cooking their fish (sushi) and they even cook pigs underground with no electricity :-)