Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
One thing - how old is your water heater? I bought a house and it's water heater was about 15 years old. Used it for a couple years and noticed a 7-8% propane tank usage a month average. Water...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
I always see the plastic stuff during winter as insulation for windows. Why can't they be used in the summer too? wouldn't they help keep heat outside and cold air inside?
oh, and maybe only for...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Well when ur neighbor downloads something illegal the lawsuit will come to the one who is paying the bill.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
I found with our new high efficiency heat/ac system that we appear to have a lower electric/gas bill with less of a setback. I used to always have an 8-10 degree difference, but have since changed...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
HVAC is probably the biggest energy use item in your home. The number one method to lower the power used by the HVAC is to not use it.
Set the temp to the highest and lowest tolerable setting for...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I hope you and your family are doing well.
Water:
Wrap hot water tank and pipes with thermal blanket
Turn down the temperature on the Hot Water tank
...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Actually, those would be to save on gas/electric, but I completely agree :) Another option would be to get a tankless water heater. Be careful when turning down the temperature, though, that you...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Thank you all for your sympathy. I really do appreciate it. I also appreciate your awesome responses. I've updated the list with a few more items.
I have a few questions though..
How...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Oh right, I think i've seen one of these on home network. I think it's pretty sanitary since it's just a handwashing station but I think us and alot of other people would just use that one rarely....
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Look into the Nest Learning Thermostat. I hear great things about it saving people a ton of money a month
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Depending on where you live. (So Cal Edison offers a rebate of $20/mo during the summer months if you let them install a remote AC cutoff switch during peak hours of summer.) My summer electricity...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Even a little sealing/caulking/insulating can make a relatively big difference in energy and money savings. My guess is the lower heating/cooling bills are primarily from your...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Thats against every ISP's user agreement.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
That could probably work, but coming from somebody who lives in a cold weather climate, not being able to open my windows in the summer would drive me crazy and make the muskiest house in the world...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Bought a wood pellet stove. Cost of heat will be around $350 for this winter. Heat pump has not turned on once this year with house staying at 74-76 (1400 sq feet).
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
- thermal curtains and window shades
- check the insulation in attic it probably needs more if the house is older
- air leaks around doors, just about every door leaks
- set back your thermostat a...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Wow. Fix it yourself when you get home from work.
This "my time is worth X" is such a flawed idea.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
There are some significant things to look into before you do a setback thermostat.
With an outdoor reset, the thing that monitors the outdoor temperature and adjusts the temperature of the...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
All excuses to not make extra money, but to each their own.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Buy a high efficency toilet along with a smart toilet tank. So you just wash your hands with future toilet water.
You could also buy rain catchers so you can water your garden/lawn/flowers with...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
You didnt mention what you use for heat natural gas? propane? Big cost difference.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
On dishwashers I see the extra heat part is built into the dishwasher, so you only have to hit a button on the front panel for that,
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
No, this is wrong. Set it as low as possible. The rate of heat loss is proportional to the difference in temperature between inside and out; thus, having a lower inside temperature means less heat...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Agreed, I would be one of those exact people. Hourly employee but no overtime allowed. I got lazy and didn't go in depth.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
If your water heater is warm to the touch you should wrap it, most water heaters nowadays do not need to be wrapped.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
How so?
As a salaried employee, I get paid the same regardless if I work 40 hours a week or 60. So say my time is worth 10 dollars per hour (assume 40 hours per week). If I can hire a guy to fix...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
You need to think outside the box. Why are you limited to just your current position. Why can't you do some consulting on the side, why can't you purchase and resell items, why can't you start your...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
pick a good neighbor and hope your neighbor thinks you are a good neighbor as well.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline instead of using a dryer.
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
No idea how hygenic it is. Found out from my realtor friend about these. Here is a link for one....
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
In winter, e.g., set the thermostat to something comfortable in the morning when you're awake and in the evening when you're home - assuming you work a 9-5, that would be ~68F from 0600 to 0830, and...
Home Efficiency
Expired
Thread created 02-11-2012 by Ohaiyo
+2 Score
31 Replies
3,517 Views
Hello all!
I want this thread to be about improving home efficiency and reducing costs of home and upkeep.
I want to compile information and possibly make a stickie out of it because we all...
