Have you ever thought of using a solar powered iron for your clothes, this is one of the suggestions made in How to unplug from the grid by Gaia Vince in the Go-off grid (December 3rd Issue) of the New Scientist.
The idea applies it seems only if you are practicing your ironing skills outdoors, sun is not optional.
If you cannot cut the umbilical cord with your utility, you can at least cut down on your energy use.
The article reminds us that "the biggest energy savings will come from properly insulating your home to minimize heat loss."
When this is done, in order to assess what your biggest energy guzzlers are, they suggest the purchase of an energy monitor, kind of like Google Analytics for your appliances.
I will not rehash all the points made but let you read it instead.
Gaia Vince also writes Wandering Gaia whose latest story Eat camels, kangaroos for the environment (December 9, 2008) echoes our Eating Kangaroo reduces your Carbon Footprint…Skippy Anyone? (January 29, 2008).
A quick, short, practical Green Day # 56
Last week: Organic as Beer in Espresso and Pomegranate Flavors