Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
That's what makes it so tough, that it is a continuum. I'm reading all this with interest. But it's things like, I KNOW I waste more energy (not to mention water) with my "need" for daily showers than DH does by leaving the TV, XBox, DVR, and lights on for hours when he's not using them but at least I'm getting some freakin' benefit from the showers. Should we both try harder to conserve more (which begs the question of how I should react to HIS wastefulness in OUR household)? Should I give up turning the lights off after him because my habits on balance are more wasteful? Or? Or???
Well I need a good shower to get me going in the morning. But I did go out and buy a new shower head that uses 1.5 gallons per minute, vs. the normal 2.5. The pressure isn't as good as the old one but it's still sufficient, and I'm glad I'm able to use less water. (It's a Waterpik - I got it at Target.)

Anyway I don't think the two behaviors have to be related. I mean, they are and they aren't. They are if both of you sit down and agree to compromise - I'll do something about my showers, and you turn things off, and the whole household benefits.

But in a way they're not related. Why should the lights be left on just because someone uses hot water every day? Or vice versa. Using x units of energy is better than using (x + y) units.

As for how to react to his wastefulness, I think that depends on whether this is just one annoying habit from an otherwise unannoying person, or if there's a pattern of not helping out, compromising, respecting other people's feelings, etc.