Turning Back Clock, To Save Money

As temperatures begin to fall and daylight hours become more and more scarce, many Americans are bracing themselves for sky-high winter energy bills.

But one Orangeburg, S.C., family has taken matters into its own hands, with lifestyle changes to protect the wallet.

The Holmans have come together as a family in their efforts to save energy, and that means turning their backs on their modern appliances, reports The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

"It started out," says Donna Holman, "when we got our electric bill, and it was going a little higher than it was even the month before. So (husband) Billy said, 'OK, no more clothes dryer.'"

Now, the Holmans dry their laundry the old-fashioned way, hanging it from a line.

In the kitchen, they installed a gas stove to replace the electric one they used to have.

But they do much of their cooking outside on the grill.

As for the dishes, "I told the children, 'You'll go washing by hand, like I did,'" says William Holman.

In addition, "As long as there is natural lighting outside," says Donna, "we don't turn on the light switches. It's a habit when you walk into a room, and many times, we've learned you don't really need it.

In fact, Smith remarks, the lights aren't on much at all in the Holman house. The kids even do their homework by the sunlight that streams through the windows.

And when the lights are on, they're burning energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.

With no dryer or dishwasher in use, and incandescent bulbs burning, the Holman's also save on air conditioning.

They still use it; it's the South, after all but, without those appliances giving off heat, their air-conditioning system doesn't work as hard to cool the house.

Every little thing helps.

The kids have made a game of it, checking the meter, and logging the results on a calendar.

"It's kind of fun; it's like a challenge," says Dalton Holman.

The results are undeniable. Back-to-back electric bills show an old tab of $477.26, compared to $347.47 in the subsequent one.

"We saved $130 approximately just by doing the little simple things anybody can do," Donna points out.

But if saving on energy was the goal, the Holmans just may have found an added benefit.

Ashleigh Holman says, "You get to enjoy spending time with your family while you are doing your chores. … It's bringing our family closer together."