Energy Saving/Weatherizing Your Home

[one...two...tree 2,762]

EOM

Edited October 22, 2010 by El Buscador

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Having lived in Calgary, I actually would like to set it at 68--but I will get much trouble if I do (Pras considers that as frigid).

We have a hand-shower (not designed necessarily as water-saver) with a shutoff-valve in the handset AND a portable heater-fan (this part of the poll should have been multiselect, Steve).

We rent

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

flawed poll - didn't have the option of 69 degrees in the first set of questions, so i chose 68.

the temp drops at night to 64, but heats to 69 during hours we're awake.

and can only choose one option on the 2nd set.

Edited October 22, 2010 by charles!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Having lived in Calgary, I actually would like to set it at 68--but I will get much trouble if I do (Pras considers that as frigid).

We have a hand-shower (not designed necessarily as water-saver) with a shutoff-valve in the handset AND a portable heater-fan (this part of the poll should have been multiselect, Steve).

We rent

Doh! Sorry....I just fixed it.

[TBoneTX 46,261]

Need a "none of these" option in the second set, si man... or, a choice for "we keep ourselves warm by means of the administration & receipt of wedgies, si man," si man.

[chri'stina 190]

Even in Florida we need heat sometimes, so when it's cold overnight we set the heat to between 68-70. For the 2nd option I don't technically have/use any - my windows are old but I think they are pretty efficient at keeping cool air in during summer and warm are in during cold spells. Most houses here are concrete block not just wood, and I think our house's insulation is good.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I only turn the heat up to take the chill off the morning. The rest of the time it is set around 65F.

The most energy saving item I bought was the electric blanket. The wife almost lives all winter under that thing.

It's still cheaper than the previous woman that shared my bed. She used to put hair dryers in her shoes to warm them up before she wore them, and would use a portable heater to keep her dog and cat warm. All those got thrown out the front door, and shattered when they hit the driveway. I told her she was next, and a few weeks later, she was.

I own my home, free and clear, no more mortgage.

[^_^ 5,021]

She shattered when she hit the driveway?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

She shattered when she hit the driveway?

She was able to walk out the front door under her own power. All the rest of her stuff took a little more encouragement.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Winters here are not generally like Canadian winters I am used to, but in Canada we set the thermostat at 68 during the winter and here it is at 64. The a/c is set at 78 during the summer as well. Our air conditioner (the one that was provided when the house was built) died last Spring so we installed a larger unit with more SEERs for greater operating efficiency. We also added a heat pump for the winter operation so it will be interesting to see how that effects our energy bills. This summer - one of the hottest on record - we were seldom able to open the windows overnight to take advantage of the cooler night time temperatures (because they weren't cooler), so the a/c ran longer and more often than in any other year. Even though there was an electricity rate increase in January, our bills were definitely lower than the previous summer so already the new unit has started paying for itself. This house seems really good at maintaining its internal environment and even though insulation here is nothing like in the north, it does seem to be effective. We also have ceiling fans in all the bedrooms and the den. Oh, another option you could add to your poll list - low water use toilets. We have those installed as well. We also use the high energy efficient non-incandescent light bulbs in all of the fixtures and overheads.

[TBoneTX 46,261]

I conserve energy by napping as often & soundly as possible, zzz man.