Archive for the ‘Energy Conservation’ Category
A Good Start to 2010 – Net 50 Energy Challenge
We’ve had a good start to our Net 50 Energy Challenge this year. Our Electrical use is down to 2,170 KWH vs. 3,033 KWH in 2007 (29% lower) and 2,334 for 2009. Our Gas usage is down to 465 CCF vs. 645 in 2007 (28% lower) and 475 for 2009. Our Water usage, well, it’s pretty much [...]
May 1, 2010
Tags: Energy Conservation, Net 50 Energy Challenge Posted in: Energy Conservation, Net 50 Energy Challenge 
No Comments
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie You May Find an Architect Who is Just Trying to Paint His Living Room
If you are a parent, grandparent or teacher of young children then you are probably familiar with the series of books by Laura Numeroff. What starts as an innocent act – giving a mouse a cookie, turns into an extensive, swisting series of events. It turns out that giving a mouse a cookie is not a [...]
March 29, 2010
Tags: Home Improvement, Insulation Posted in: Energy Conservation, Home Improvement, Insulation No Comments
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: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Windows 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: Energy Conservation, Indoor Air Quality Posted in: Energy Conservation, Indoor Air Quality No Comments
New Year’s Net 50 Energy Challenge Update
Our latest investments were:
ï‚·Â Shop light conversion: $36
This results in a grand total investment of $1,262.Â
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: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Net 50 Energy Challenge, Rain Barrels, Water Conservation, Weatherize 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: Energy Conservation, Insulation 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: Energy Conservation, Energy Efficient 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: Alternative Energy, CFL's, Energy Conservation, LED's, Weatherize 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: LED's 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: CFL's, LED's Posted in: Energy Conservation, Lighting One Comment
