Improving House Efficiency

[The Architect]

With the fluctuation heating fuels cost and the costs constant rise along with the unwanted side effect of burning these fuels many of us are making changes or have made some changes to our houses.  I know that these changes can be simple and very cost effective and some others changes can be expensive and difficult.

I'd like to know what people have done or are doing.  For example, I've done the following:

Sealed all my exterior wall outlets and switches with gaskets and in some cases added spray foam insulation behind the electrical boxes.

Gone into the attic and sealed the light fixtures (properly as per code) and many of the penetration in the ceiling envelope (wires, framing, plumbing.)

Removed interior window trim in order to add foam insulation to the gap between framing and the window.  This stopped a lot of air leakage.

Replaced my hot water storage tank that was fed off my boiler with an instant hot water heater.

Added a coil to my wood stove to preheat water fed to my instant hot water.

Replaced my very inefficient boiler with a very efficient boiler.  The new boiler monitors the outside air temperature and the temperature of the return water it is heating and modulates accordingly.  Cost was a real issue here.  I went with an NTI http://www.nythermal.com/Products/boilers/gas/trinity.htm ; If cost wasn't an issue I would have installed a Viessmann.

These changes have made a significant improvement in our consumption.  Previous Januaries, our average fuel consumption was 370 gallons of propane.  This January we were down to 121 gallons.  We also burn wood pellets and and fire wood.  We've cut the usage in half.  And the big difference is we are now comfortable as compared to before when everyone complained about how cold it was in the house. 


One the electrical side, every time I make a trip to a home improvement store I buy a compact fluorescent bulb and replace a bulb in the house.  This has made a 20%+/- improvement in consumption.  To bad the service fees from the utility company have exceed 20%.







This is not a global warming discussion or a political discuss.  Please just list home improvements you've made and their savings.

[rgramjet]

I am looking at possibly relocating to Loudoun County VA.  Propane gas is the standard in the area.  What is the range of consumption, ie worst month vs best month?  My only propane experience is with the grillz.

[TwoWheels]

Hi red duke,
I saw your post here and on solar heating.  Are you aware of or involved with the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative http://www.plymouthenergy.org/ ?  It's a group in central NH that uses the "barn raiser" approach to help locals install solar and other alternative energy systems as well with efficiency.

[The Architect]

Hi red duke,
I saw your post here and on solar heating.  Are you aware of or involved with the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative http://www.plymouthenergy.org/ ?  It's a group in central NH that uses the "barn raiser" approach to help locals install solar and other alternative energy systems as well with efficiency.

Thanks for the link!  Very helpful to many in the area.

[mitt]

I just found that a contractor forgot to add insulation to an attic about 4 years ago, so that was a huge heat drain.  I had that filled (gas utility reimbursed 70% of cost  ), and then they also sent out an energy auditor.  He gave me 7 cf bulbs and replaced 2 shower heads and 3 faucet aerators, and installed a programmable thermostat.  Pretty good deal for customers.

[Speedbag]

Door seals, particularly the little flap thingies that attach to the bottom edge of the door and seal to the threshold. I've never figured the monetary savings, but the reduction in drafts is significant.

I've gradually changed the regularly used lights in the house (and my shop) to CF bulbs and this seems to have made a noticeable difference in the bill.