There are Several ways to reduce ones footprint electrically speaking. Recently I lined my basement with R-38 insulation. My Summer cooling bill dropped by 80 dollars and the winter heating bill drop by 50-70 dollars depending on the cold. Quite handing when one is trying to keep below 200 bucks a month. There are other things like switching to Propane for water heaters and for dryers. You can maintain your power bill but have a much larger grow. Don't let the smart grid intimidate you. Use its weaknesses.