Our Net 50 Energy Challenge
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To date, these are the water and energy saving products we have used:
- Installed radiant barrier/insulation in the attic:Â $400.
- Added R-19 insulation to a portion of the attic:Â $100.
- Replaced almost all light bulbs with CFL’s (the rest we don’t use much and we’ll replace when they burn out): $56.
- Weather stripping and door sweeps installed on all exterior doors and screen/storm doors:Â $25.
- The entire front yard (except for the tree lawn) has been changed into a garden of drought tolerant plants: $400. (I’m only counting 50% of this since it is one of our hobbies as well.)
- Use clear plastic film window insulation on all windows throughout the winter, and on east and wet windows throughout the year: $24.
- Employ most of the Green Free Fifteen, I haven’t been able to break my night owl tendencies: $0 – The operative word is FREE.
- Insulated some ducts and sealed all basement ducts: $35.
- Installed a low flow showerhead:Â $20.
- Upgraded our computer, Windows Vista, with a flat screen monitor:Â $0 – Needed to upgrade anyway.
- Built a trellis for a wisteria vine that acts as a sun shade through the summer:Â $0 – Used branches from a tree that fell in our back yard.
- Numerous water saving activities: $0 – again changes in habits that don’t cost anything.
- Weatherize windows – clear plastic window insulating film: $22
- Weatherize windows – glazing putty: $15
- Installed a clothes dryer heat saver: $11
- Outlet and switch seals: $2
- Weatherize windows – v shape weatherstripping: $24
- Weatherize windows – removable sealant for some storm windows: $5
- Use LED night lights: $17
- Built a solar air heater for the kitchen: $70
- Shoplight conversion to exposed CFL bulbs:Â $36
- Insulate Crawlspace: $110
- Insulater Living Room: $450
- Clothes lines: $75
- Sunshade / Trellis: $60
This results in a grand total investment of $1,957.Â
The Goal:Â To reduce our annual consumption to 7,113 KW of grid fed electricity, 577 CCF of natural gas and 53 CCF of potable water.
Our utility bills have been paid through the end of March 2010 and our total annual savings to date is $236.14
Progress: as of end of March 2010 vs 2007
- Electricity – 67.7%
- Natural Gas – 80.5%
- Water – 83.0%
- Utility Costs – 75.3%
- Savings 2008 – $ 200.15
- Savings 2009 – $ 912.18
- Savings 2010 -Â $Â 236.14
- Total Savings – $1348.47
The Cost: Our total utility cost for 2007 was $3,278. So, once we cut our utility bills in half, we will save $1,640 a year, at 2007 utility rates. Therefore if we invest $8,200 in energy and water saving products and strategies, we will recover our investment in five years, and if we invest $11,480 it will take seven years. However, since our utility rates have gone up about 15% over the past two years our savings will continue to grow and grow.
2 Responses
There are some great ideas here. It’s nice to see that you’ve spent the time keeping track of exactly what you’ve saved.
I have to admit, I’ve never heard of the clothes dryer heat saver. That looks like a really great product for everyone, especially those that use gas heat and complain of the lack of humidity in their homes. I’m going to pick one up and hopefully install it this weekend.
Brent,
I’m just tracking how long it takes for my investments to pay off.
The clothes dryer heat saver is great! It really helps to heat our entire basement when we do laundry. We even open up the laundry chute and the warm air shoots right up to the second floor. And for $10 it’s a great deal.
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