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 How do you save energy in your home? August 25, 2004 9:50 AM

As oil prices around the world are soaring there is an increasing incentive to save energy. I was wondering if you guys have any reccomendations on how to make modifications on your existing home in order to save energy. Also advice on how to save energy when building a new home or building on to your home.  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
anonymous saving energy September 13, 2004 5:05 AM

Hey Jenny, I'm living in a purportedly environmentally sound building in northern India right now, which is attempting to try out "new" energy saving techniques like passive solar heating, solar water heating and rainwater harvesting. Here, most buildings are constructed with at least 12-inch wide walls (rock and plaster) which are very effective at keeping the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Thus, the passive solar heating works like a dream so far because the sun heats masses instead of empty space (like a heater would) and then slowly releases the heat into the room. As effective as passive solar heating is, I think the most important thing to mention when trying to figure out ways to reduce energy consumption, is to ensure that the technology you select is appropriate for your needs and your environment. A solar water heater might be a great idea, if you're not in the middle of monsoon season. Sometimes, energy efficient conventional methods, like well insulated small hot water tanks, are more appropriate than new-fangled "environmentally-friendly" technologies.  [report anonymous abuse]  [ accepted]
 
First Steps To Being Energy Free! July 01, 2005 1:22 PM

http://www.rebuild.org/index.asp

The Light Bulbs in you home if you are aware the new compact bulbs you can purchase from Lowes Home Build Center the 5 five in a package 13watt bulbs!

Now for start replace those  60 watts , 100watts or
above with these little looking babies but they come with a punch to those coming electric bill!

In my house I really replace approx 14 or more 100watt to 60watts bulbs with the incandest bulbs!

And my electric has been lowered greatly and please call and tell every one you know to do the same!

Here is my story I has 10 /100watts light bulbs
in my house that used 1000watts per hr. OK.

Now I replace them with 10 /13 watt compact bulbs which I bought from Lowes Store which they sold for 5 in a pack!</p><p>This used 130 watt per hr OK!

Now I subtract 130watt per hr from 1000watt per hr and I  happily SAVED 870watt per hr and take that time 30 days SAVINGS!

Add to reduce more light bulbs we can easily see a SAVINGs of 1000 watt or 1KW per hr!

TELL OTHERs AND NEXT TIME

I'll SHow You How To Size -Up A Solar Energy System for YOU BUSINESS or HOME.

WIsdom2See

Ceritfied Photovolatic Installation &amp; System Designer

Member of
Rebuild America!

http://www.rebuild.org/index.asp


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Saving Energy.... September 19, 2005 12:25 PM

Well, I am still using the common sense variety. We turn off lights when we're not in the room. We put rugs in front of doors that lead to the outdoors to discourage drafts in the winter. We lower the thermostat on the hot water heater so that it doesn't need to keep turning on all the time.

We shut off the A.C. as soon as we get into the cooler weather of fall instead of waiting for the first frost. And we turn down the thermostat when the weather is nice enough that the heat doesn't need to be running. 

I keep a lot of plants so that the air seems fresh and the milder humidity holds the air at a fairly constant temperature. We wear sweaters or flannel in the winter and turn down the thermostat. We wear shorts and sleeveless tops in the summer and turn down the A.C.

In mid summer, when it is so hot, I don't like to make the A.C. work so hard. I will leave it where I usually keep it and work in the basement where it is a bit more humid, but a lot cooler.

In the winter, when we've hit the blizzard weather, we use the wood burner. If the wood is properly seasoned for two years, it is hard enough for the fire to last quite a while on one log and some kindling.

We change our socks often. It makes you feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer and protects against illness. And we drink warm drinks in the winter and cooler in the summer.

If you've never done it before, use Grandma's trick. In the summer, keep your drapes and curtains open to the sun. In the winter, closed. It's surprising what a difference it makes.

That's it for now.  --Linda
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redirecting summer heat July 22, 2006 7:58 PM

I have a not-so-well built 1970s home.  Previous owners built a really energy poor addition, and we have been experimenting with improving our energy efficiency.  The main culprit for heat buildup is the attic.

Recently, we installed SolarStar attic vents to relieve the heat buildup in the attic.  WHAT A CHANGE!!!  The fan is solar powered, so it mostly works duing the daytime, but our living space is much cooler now that 130+ degree heat isn't making its way into our living space, and instead being vented back outside.

Attics really are a huge factor in summer heat buildup.  My next project is to insulate the attic on the ROOF side with a spray foam insulation.  That will prevent the attic from heating up so much in the first place.  I would recommend that avenue for insulating any new contsruction.  The pink fiberglass matting is a thing of the past.  It can get wet and compressed or mold.  You need to make sure everything is dry when installing the foam because it will trap any moisture (leading to damage), but it is a great product.

When the attic is insulated on the roof side, the attic is kept at the same temperature as the living space, eliminating excessive heat buildup.

One more tip.  My friend doesn't have an attic, but does have a 2nd story to her house.  She said that they have small cooling units they keep upstairs to regulate the temps up there.  They rarely have to turn the whole house A/C on because keeping the upstairs cool has helped to keep the whole house cool.

Good stuff!

Sara

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Spray foam insulation July 23, 2006 7:44 AM

I have to agree with the use if spray foam insulation.  My home in Kentucky has no attic, but we have used the spray foam insulation through out exterior walls and ceilings.  The difference in coolness, and also sound, is amazing.  It costs about twice as much as the pink batt insulation, but in the long run it is the better choice.  Summers in Kentucky are very hot and sticky humid, and our electric bills have been reasonable.  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
I sleep in mosquito nets July 26, 2006 7:05 AM

And that saves energy needed if u burn electric mosquito coils.  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
Solar Shades July 26, 2006 2:30 PM

One of the best investments I made was in solar shades...they reflect the heat and keep the rooms, especially the west facing, cooler in the summer...in the winter, they roll right up and disappear...www.justblinds.com

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