Archive for the ‘Energy Conservation’ Category

How to Insulate Your Old Double Hung Windows

If you have old double hung windows and you have already installed storm windows, weatherized the sashes and done everything that you can think of to make them energy efficient, there may be one more thing that you can do.  Older windows have ropes attached to the sashes that run up the jambs and over [...]

February 2, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Weatherize  No Comments

How to Go Green with a New Vacuum Cleaner

My wife got a new vacuum cleaner this Christmas and it has made a difference in our lives. That may seem a little dramatic for just a vacuum cleaner, but for those of us that suffer from allergies it’s not.
It has been amazing how much cleaner the house smells after we vacuum. It [...]

January 28, 2010  Tags: ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Indoor Air Quality  No Comments

New Year’s Net 50 Energy Challenge Update

Our latest investments were:
  Shop light conversion: $36
This results in a grand total investment of $1,262. 
Our utility bills have been paid through the end of 2009 and our total annual savings has climbed to $912.18
Progress: as of end of  2009 vs 2007

Electricity – 67.7%
Natural Gas – 80.5%
Water – 83.0%
Utility Costs – 75.3%
Savings 2008 – $  200.15
Savings [...]

January 19, 2010  Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Net 50 Energy Challenge, Water Conservation, Weatherize  No Comments

How to Insulate your Crawlspace and Keep your Toes a Little Warmer.

You may not realize it, but hundreds of dollars might be slipping out from under your feet every year.  Adding R-19 insulation to a 400 square foot crawlspace could save you $125 a year on your heating bills and pay for itself in about a year.  With an investment of a few hours this energy [...]

January 17, 2010  Tags: ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Insulation  No Comments

A Quick Shop Light Substitute

We have a cat, a sweet old cat.  She came with my wife into our marriage.  For various reasons (allergies, dog vs. cat aggression, and nasty things some old cats do especially when un attended) she is relegated to the basement.  The dark, dirty, unfinished basement.  So naturally, we have compassion on the cat and [...]

January 17, 2010  Tags: ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Lighting  One Comment

How to Save Energy – 101 Ways from the Evident to the Extreme

Here’s a challenge: implement 12 (more) of these energy conservation products and strategies over the next year.  Take another step toward energy independence.
1.       Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
2.       Install a motion / occupancy sensor in a room that you go in and out of frequently at night.
3.       [...]

January 10, 2010  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Alternative Energy, Energy Conservation, Lighting, Weatherize  2 Comments

Cost effective LED lamps now available.

LED technology continues to improve, and now Cree Lighting has a lamp that replaces 75 Watt Floodligh bulbs in existing 6″ recessed can light fixtures.  They are cost effective for those can lights that are on for several hours every day, like in your kitchen or on a porch.  These lamps can save you $300 [...]

January 5, 2010  Tags:   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Lighting  No Comments

Exploring Options for Low Energy Light Bulbs

Legislation may make traditional incandescent lights obsolete by 2014. Vying for their place as the new bulbs for home use are two low energy light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Both types of bulb have technological shortcomings, but they also have strengths that could lead to wide-spread adoption.
CFL [...]

January 5, 2010  Tags: ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation, Lighting  One Comment

Energy Saving Decorating Tip.

This is just a reminder that when it comes to decorating for Christmas if you follow Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s motto “Less is More” it’s hard to go wrong.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merry Christmas!
Dan Bossenbroek

December 21, 2009   Posted in: Energy Conservation  No Comments

Radiant Barriers: A Quick Update

I ventured up to my attic the other day to seal up all of the holes in the ceiling below.
When I went up into the attic I brought a thermometer.  I thought that it would be a good opportunity to check the effectiveness of the radiant barrier insulation since is was about 35° and [...]

December 9, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Energy Conservation  One Comment


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