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wolram
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Like is your house insulated to updated code, double glazed widows, cavity wall insulation, Do you control you energy usage
Heh - that is the one thing I will not do: I'll conserve where reasonable, but I will not make any changes that impact my comfort. I'm willing to pay a little more to be comfortable in my own home!Greg Bernhardt said:...and set a reasonable heat temp in winter.
russ_watters said:Heh - that is the one thing I will not do: I'll conserve where reasonable, but I will not make any changes that impact my comfort. I'm willing to pay a little more to be comfortable in my own home!
...to updated code...
Greg Bernhardt said:...set a reasonable heat temp in winter.
wolram said:... have solar cells fitted, would have thought that all new builds should be required to have them.
We have them and save about 20% on our electricity bill.
ah yes I've done that too. Pricey at first, but my electric bills are quite a bit lower even compared to CFL.Rubidium_71 said:Switching to LED lights doesn't hurt.
Well, I was skeptical at first... but, now I know.[COLOR=#black]..[/COLOR] [COLOR=#black] ..[/COLOR]Kevin McHugh said:...my 70 Chevelle with a 383 ci engine...
OCR said:Well, I was skeptical at first... but, now I know.[COLOR=#black]..[/COLOR] [COLOR=#black] ..[/COLOR]
Did you consult with PF members before sealing cracks, and updating storm windows?Greg Bernhardt said:Well I live in a 1922 house so there are many energy issues. I have done my best to seal cracks, update storm windows on original windows and set a reasonable heat temp in winter.
hmmm I have some old thin single pane windows facing west and north. Last windows there was noticeable drafts. I tried various weather striping, but it's a pain and looks terrible. Wouldn't adding storm windows reduce that and help protect the original windows?OmCheeto said:but "storm windows" can be a waste of money, if you don't understand the physics behind them.
Yes.Greg Bernhardt said:hmmm I have some old thin single pane windows facing west and north. Last windows there was noticeable drafts. I tried various weather striping, but it's a pain and looks terrible. Wouldn't adding storm windows reduce that and help protect the original windows?
I've done all of that, with the exception of looking at insulation codes.wolram said:Like is your house insulated to updated code, double glazed widows, cavity wall insulation, Do you control you energy usage
I don't consume much power. I have a 10 watt LED bulb and I use it with a dimmer. I don't have a TV either because I felt I was becoming dumber with the stuff they had to show (specially the news) so I got rid of it.wolram said:Do you control you energy usage
I think that it is better left for experimental data on a per building basis. Theoretical calculations would require knowledge of the whole building structure and materials. I think experimental would be less of a hassle since all one would need are devices to measure energy consumption of the heater and room temperature. Then running the experiment to gather the data, and make conclusions from there with it. Although it would apply only to the building and specific place that the experiment was made on.Sophia said:I suppose the second option is better and cheaper but I can't do the calculations to prove it.
These are often stated as controversial, but really do have straightforward answers as long as the questions are sensibly stated:Sophia said:There are different views on heating.
Is it generally better to heat only when you're at home (so you have to maximise heating after arrival) or is it better to set to medium temperature for all day?
I suppose the second option is better and cheaper but I can't do the calculations to prove it.
Also, is it wise to turn the heating off in rooms that are not used? How much extra heat will be needed in rooms that are heated because some heat will be lost in the cold room?
russ_watters said:These are often stated as controversial, but really do have straightforward answers as long as the questions are sensibly stated:
1. Is it better to set back your house temperature during the day or does the extra energy for the "catch-up" when you return home negate the savings(or even cost more)?
Answer: It is better to set back the temperature because heat loss/gain is proportional to the temperature difference through the wall. So the total amount of heating/cooling required is lower even with a high demand "catch-up" period.
2. Is it better to close vents in rooms you aren't occupying or does the extra heat transfer betweeen the occupied and unoccupied rooms negate the savings?
Answer: It is better to close the vents in the rooms you aren't occupying. The only heat transfer that matters is the heat transfer through the outside walls, and you're reducing it.
Now, caveat: the way you worded the first question implies you mean three different setpoints instead of two (a "medium" temperature is in between a high and low?). If that's really what you meant, the question is unanswerable because it depends on the specific setpoints and times. But why would you want to do such a thing anyway? The issues should be totally independent of each other: if you are comfortable at that "medium" temperature, you should be using that when you are home.
Yeah, as of right now !russ_watters said:Winter Outside Temp: 20F
And much colder to come... My ex-inlaws lived in Lolo, MT. I remember visiting there around Christmas one year, and seeing -39° (F) one evening on the temperature gauge at a local bank. The next day it warmed all the way up to -20° (F) during the day. For those who are familiar only with the Celsius scale, -40° (F) = -40° (C), so -39° (F) is about -38° (C).OCR said:Yeah, as of right now !
It hasn't been very nice around here the last couple of days, about 4 inches of snow, also....
The house my wife and I live in is fairly new (built in '98), so it adheres to all the building codes in place then. All the windows and sliders are double pane, and the walls, ceiling, and floors are well insulated. I replaced the outside lights with LED bulbs a few months ago, and I replaced the switch for them with a timer.wolram said:Like is your house insulated to updated code, double glazed widows, cavity wall insulation, Do you control you energy usage
russ_watters said:Hehe - where I live, 20-30F is a common daytime high in the middle of winter.
Another issue that can get complicated is how to heat your home when you have multiple methods available. I generally recommend using a space heater for a bit of spot heating in the room you are in, but if you overdo that, it may end up costing you, especially if you have natural gas fired central heat. If the electric space heater is really blasting, it might cost more to heat that room than it would to heat your whole house with gas.
There are several ways to improve your energy usage, such as using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and adjusting your thermostat to a moderate temperature. You can also consider using renewable energy sources or participating in energy-saving programs offered by your utility company.
You can track your energy usage by monitoring your utility bills and comparing them to previous months. You can also use energy monitoring devices to measure the energy consumption of specific appliances. If your bills are consistently high or you notice a significant increase in usage, it may be a sign that you are using too much energy.
Leaving lights and electronics on when not in use, running appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine with only a few items, and setting your thermostat too high or too low are all common energy-wasting habits to avoid. It's also essential to make sure your home is properly insulated and sealed to prevent energy loss.
Peak hours are the times of day when energy demand is highest, typically in the morning and evening. To reduce your energy usage during these times, you can shift your energy-intensive activities, such as doing laundry or running the dishwasher, to off-peak hours. You can also turn off unnecessary lights and electronics and adjust your thermostat to a higher temperature during peak hours.
Yes, it is possible to control your energy usage without sacrificing comfort. By making small changes, such as using a programmable thermostat, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and using energy-efficient appliances, you can reduce your energy consumption without compromising your comfort. You can also consider alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, to power your home while still maintaining a comfortable living environment.