Archive for November, 2009
Solar Heating
November 27, 2009
Tags: Solar Posted in: Alternative Energy, Eco-Glossary 
No Comments
Do-It-Yourself Solar Air Heater.
The sun shines on everyone all over the world. Plants and animals take advantage of this endless source of energy. Yet our houses tend to ignore it. Harness some of this free energy with your own solar air heater. For a modest investment and a few hours of effort you too can enter the world [...]
November 25, 2009
Tags: Alternative Energy, Energy Conservation, Solar Air Heater Posted in: Alternative Energy, Energy Conservation One Comment
Go Solar, Without Having to Advertise It.
So, you have weatherized and insulated your house. You have switched all of, OK most of your light bulbs to CFL’s and installed a low flow showerhead. Your programmable thermostat is set for 66° at night and you use a whole house fan to cool your house in the summer.
Now you are considering entering the [...]
November 24, 2009
Tags: Alternative Energy, Solar Air Heater Posted in: Alternative Energy, Energy Conservation 2 Comments
Waterless Urinals:
Waterless Urinals are becoming more and more common in commercial buildings, and they have just begun to be used in residential applications. They have an oil based reservior that replaces the traditional water trap, are touch free and odorless. One can save you hundreds of gallons of water every year.
November 17, 2009
Tags: Water Conservation Posted in: Strategy/Product of the Week, Water Conservation No Comments
Attic Insulation – How to Evaluate the Types and Amount You Should Add
Adding insulation to your attic is a great way to save energy, but there are a number of choices that you need to sort through. What is the best type for your situation? What is the best location for this added insulation? How much should you add?
The first thing that you need to determine [...]
November 15, 2009
Tags: Building Envelope, Energy Conservation, Insulation Posted in: Energy Conservation 2 Comments
Programmable Timer
Taking control of your phantom loads: cable routers, TV’s, stereo systems, wireless hubs, computer printers, computer speakers and phone chargers can be a hastle. If you have to run around the house every day plugging things in, or turniing on power strips in the morning and then unplugging them or turning them off at [...]
November 10, 2009
Tags: Energy Conservation Posted in: Energy Conservation, Strategy/Product of the Week No Comments
Help Heat and Humidify Your House for Free with a Clothes Dryer Heat Saver
Today I installed a Clothes Dryer Heat Saver in our dryer vent. This little gadget will divert the moist hot air from your clothes dryer back into your house during the heating season. The air in your house is dryer in the winter and this added humidity will be very beneficial. In the spring time, [...]
November 8, 2009
Tags: Energy Conservation, Weatherize Posted in: Energy Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Product Review 2 Comments
R-value:
A measure of how well or poorly a material resists conductive heat flow through it. Insulation has a high relative R-value, while solid materials like concrete, glass and stone have low relative R-values. This value increases linearly with respect to the thickness. R-value only takes into consideration conduction and does not address the other two [...]
November 7, 2009
Tags: Insulation Posted in: Eco-Glossary No Comments
Window Insulating Film
Even the most energy efficient windows don’t even come close to providing the insulation value of a 2×4 stud wall, and those old leaky windows can drive your energy bills through the roof. Adding window insulating film will not only stop those cold winter drafts, but they will also increase the insulation value of your [...]
November 5, 2009
Tags: Energy Efficient, Insulation, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Strategy/Product of the Week, Weatherize One Comment
Window Insulating Film – Kill the Drafts and Save Big.
Unless you have a large hole in one of the walls of your house, your windows are the place where most of the infiltration takes place. Leaky windows can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs, and even the most efficient windows provide only about a third of the insulating value [...]
November 4, 2009
Tags: Insulation, Weatherize, Weatherstripping, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Weatherize No Comments
