This topic comes to us via bxw11. What are people doing about energy efficiency these days? I know for Kristen and I, we've replaced all the bulbs in our house with those compact fluorescents, when we had to get new appliances, we bought an energy star fridge, stove, microwave and dishwasher. our new Trane furnace is a lot more efficient than the old 1970's beast that was there before it. We also tossed out all of our old Christmas lights and bought some LED bulbs. They were a little more expensive than regular bulbs, but they are brighter, don't put off as much heat and should last quite a bit longer. We also try to recycle as much stuff as we can, even though we do seem to throw away a lot of food scraps. I was thinking of getting some worms and building one of those worm recycling boxes to turn it into fertilizer or something.

Anyone else doing anything in particular?

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#4: by Anon@72.165.80.2 on 1/16/09 5:16PM (reply)
consider the amount of energy lost in conversion. look at don lancaster's notes on exergy: there's a lot to the "direct" use of energy. e.g., oil is better to use than electricity for heat.

also, consider scale (dalamar) and total lifetime consumption and the potential for good intentioned wastes of energy when consider (e.g., many elaborate solar panel systems, e85). these two can be tricky to think about, but finding real metrics to clue you in.

i personally like non-invasive and simple means of investment to reduce use (e.g., better materials/insulation) and using "instant" water heaters (no tank).

#3: by Anon@68.45.199.222 on 12/6/08 10:28PM (reply)
The energy efficiency bug always hits me in the winter. Here in PA, in my 1950's vintage home, I am currently using about 80 gal. / month of heating oil to stay warm. That will cost about $225. Besides economics it just makes me feel stupid to be so archaic in the way I use energy. I yearn for a high-efficiency heat pump with a computer controlled loop a solar heater on my roof and another through a compost system. I want to collect rainwater in a cistern just below the edge of my roof (when average temp. is above freezing) and collect the potential energy when I want it. Of course I would also love a mini solar farm in my yard that tracks the sun. Alas, it's too difficult and expensive. Have you ever tried to pedal a bicycle at a museum meant to demonstrate the energy it takes to light a conventional light bulb? You work up a sweat and the bulb is pretty dim, you stop pedaling and of course it dies. This illustrates to me how much we take the quantity of energy we use for granted, as well as it's storage and/or delivery. Thoughts?

#2: by Justin on 11/30/08 2:33PM (reply)
Couple of other comments: whenever I travel overseas (to Europe in particular), I really enjoy the following: the dual-flushing toilets (#1 size vs. #2), the tankless hot water heaters (I'm seriously considering getting one of these when I replace my hot water heater next year [it's about 12 years old]), and wall outlets with on/off switches (I've yet to find these in the US, but I always thought it as a great idea).

#1: by dalamar on 11/30/08 1:47PM (reply)
Well, I pretty much take the practical approach.

The fast majority of your energy usage, some ridiculous high percentage comes from.

1. Air conditioning
2. Heating
3. Water Heater
4. Refrigerator
5. Dryer

So... I lower the temp, use the schedule to let the temp go down when I am gone or sleeping on the hvac. I also will install an attic fan to exhaust hot air during the summer. It made a huge difference in my parent's home.

Water heater I lower to the lowest safe temp possible (have to make sure there is no chance of legionnaire's disease). I tend to wash dishes in the sink (easier as single person) in a tub of water.

In the refrigerator I keep the freezer full (even if it is just ice). And leave the temp not too too low. Also looking to replace it like you since it is 12 years old.

And I tend to use the dryer less by letting the clothes air dry inside on a rack to get them about 80 percent dry and then just a quick fluff for wrinkle purposes.

Also looking to replace a couple light switches with timer switches that turn off the light after 5-120 minutes. Often I will turn on a light in the basement, run upstairs and forget about it.

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