During summer heats we manage to blow away the hot easily with the help of two pole fans of which only one operates around the clock. During summer evenings we open windows then force the cool air in, hot out, applying the fan strategically. It is heck of a lot cheaper on the utility bill than the A/C. Unlike the winter frost we don't have to worry about summer air leakage in-out of the house. But winter is entirely another matter because we cannot blow away or ventilate the cold. So we implement several energy saving steps, unique to winterizing, in order to reduce our heating bills.
1) Seal all windows. Actually we replaced all single paned windows with double paned glass. Our two 50+ years bay windows were the exceptions given the expensive replacement cost they were sealed with sheets of insulating transparent plastic.
2) Use heavy drapes over large windows especially facing north.
3) Place draft stoppers under doors.
4) Turn thermostat lower for sleeping hours or even during the day as much as you're comfortable with.
5) Use a humidifier. During the winter months home heating makes the air very dry. By adding a humidifier to the cooler temperature the air feels warmer plus it helps with your respiration.
6) Close off unused rooms. Add doors to any infrequently used rooms.
7) Passive Solar heat, take advantage of south facing windows during sunny hours by allowing the sunshine's warmth in to your home. Be sure to close your window covering at sunset.8) Insulate your hot water tank with the wrap around jacket available at major hardware stores.
9) Insulate your hot water plumbings, if accessible, with wrap around foam jacket also available at major hardware stores.
DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE From Fossil Fuel
Co-op Power is a regional network of local communities creating a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future. We are a consumer-owned energy cooperative serving New England and New York. Co-op Power's Local Organizing Councils include Co-op Power Metro East (greater Boston), Co-op Power Franklin County, Co-op Power Hampshire County, Co-op Power Hampden County, and Co-op Power of Southern VT.
Volunteer!: Co-op Power runs on volunteer energy. Our joint purchasing opportunities are offered with great discounts for members because of the great work volunteers do. In the "Volunteer Work Room" you can let us know what you can do to help! The "Co-op Power Energy Resource Center" is where we collect information to share with each other about how to stop losing energy dollars, how to use more renewable energy, and how we can build more renewable energy resources in our region. Thanks for visiting our website and please consider joining (if you haven't already) to help us build a sustainable energy future for our region!!!
Consider supplementing your heating system with wood or pellet stove. Since fuel prices have jumped up wood heating has become an excellent alternate heating supplement source and they have a smaller carbon footprint than fossil powered heating system. The air tight wood cord stove units are the most practical way to go if you have access to several acres of wooded lot or can have wood cord delivered to your home. We've installed a dual fan wood stove insert into our existing fireplace, Quadra-Fire 3100i, which helped easily reduce our heating bill by over 50%. Granted there's a little extra work involved as opposed to traditional oil/gas heating since wood needs to be cut and hauled to the stove. We don't mind this one bit because a little workout in the outdoors is healthy. Most importantly wood heating is a viable alternative, less costly source of home heating that heats effectively and comforting to watch. We've also used our wood stove for cooking and warming coffee.
If you're suburbanite or city dweller without reasonable access to wood fuel then consider installing a wood pellet stove. If you have already a fireplace then your option is to get a fireplace insert, which vents through your existing chimney. If you do not have a fireplace then choose a freestanding stove which usually do not require a full chimney saving you additional funds. In order to determine what size stove your home needs first calculate the area of your home you wish to heat. For example if your calculation results in 1500 square ft you'll want to select stoves rated somewhere between 1500 to 2000 sq-ft. An average home burns between two to 5 tons of pellets a year depending on the heated area, temperature difference between your home and outdoors and if you're using the stove as a supplement heater or your only heater. Next, select the a compatible pellet to heat with your stove, nutshells, corn, wheat or soybeans. There are pros and advantages with every choice so wood pellet stoves have one major "gotchas": They stop working without electrical power because their auger which feeds the pellets for burning requires electricity. One work around this issue is a power generator or if you have a backup heating utility in case you're using your stove for supplement heating. To get the most out of your stove you might want to consider a "multi-fuel-pellet" stove which enables you to shop for the most economical priced pellets of the season doubling your benefit of heating with a wood pellet stove.
Be aware that the 2009 federal consumer tax credit is worth $1500.00 for a one-to-one tax credit deduction as long as the stove model is rated at 75% efficient or better. So make sure before you put your money down that the stove you're purchasing is qualified for the $1500 tax credit. This tax credit is in effect between January 2009 and 2010. Your sales receipt must indicate the qualifying date of purchase.
- American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
- Wood Pellet Production Guide
- The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress
- Alliance to Save Energy offers consumers information they need to save money and increase energy efficiency.
Yes you can do it!
- - - Peter Landy.
"Freedom, is not Free - - - Use it or Lose it "
Contact: landypeter@yahoo.com
