HVAC
Our old house has a gas floor heater and no air-conditioning (it's always 75 in sunny Southern California). The thermostat seemed almost as old as the house and we're not to sure it registered temperature correctly anymore so we just used it as an off/on switch which is inefficient and costly.
We decided that a programmable thermostat would be needed and would save us on our gas bill as well as not waste as much energy when we don't need it on.
That's when Trane stepped in to let us test out their XL800 Programmable Thermostat. It works with all types of heating and cooling units including gas and electric. There are four programmable settings that for different temps for day, night, wake and sleep. We only have a heater so setup and wiring was a cinch.
Here are the basics to installing a programmable thermostat.
The folks at DAP have passed along a few tips for weatherizing your home for the winter. Since it's National Energy Awareness Month and the temps are dropping across the country, make sure you give these tips a try.
Keep in mind that, according to the experts at EPA ENERGY STAR, improving your home's envelope can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10% of a total annual energy bill. ENERGY STAR also states that air leakage accounts for between 25 and 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical residence.
What is home sealing and weatherization and why should you take action?
Weatherization is a term for improving the energy efficiency of a building's envelope. Air sealing is an important component of weatherization because it reduces the flow of cold outside air entering the house and heated air escaping in the winter. Air sealing is a very common energy efficiency measure and is also one of the most cost effective and easiest installations. In most cases, air sealing a home is a minimal investment and only takes a trip to the local hardware store and a couple hours of work. Home sealing not only saves you money, but also benefits the environment as it will require less energy to heat or cool your home.
What are some of the main sources of air leaks in a home?
The obvious ones are around windows and doors. But don't forget about the attic and basement. Leaks in the attic can create a drafting effect that lets warm air out through the attic, while pulling cold air in through windows, doors and up through the basement.
We're full of fall maintenance tips these days and hope to get everything accomplished this weekend which will be hard to do as we're headed to Seattle to bring in the new season and enjoy a few days in the PNW.
But if you're home these are some simple tune-ups you can do for your home that will save you time and money now and are much easier to perform in the mild post-summer weather.
1. Tune up your heating system. For about $80 to $100, a technician will inspect your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair so that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency. The inspection also measures carbon-monoxide leakage. And you minimize the chance of being 200th in line for repairs on the coldest day of the year.
2. Buy a programmable thermostat. Or, if you already have one, double-check the settings. Energy Star says that, on average, for an initial investment of $50 to $100, you will save $180 annually on heating (and cooling) bills if in winter you keep the thermostat set to no higher than 70 degrees
3. Hit the roof. Or at least scan it closely with binoculars. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak during winter's storms or from melting snow. If need be, hire a handyman to repair a few shingles ($95 to $125, according to www.costhelper.com) or a roofer for a larger section ($100 to $350 for a 10-by-10-square-foot area).
The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity today announced the national expansion of Partners in Sustainable Building, a $30 million building program dedicated to greening more than 5,000 Habitat homes across the country.
Below are five simple, inexpensive energy saving tips courtesy of The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
+ Save 10 percent or more on your energy costs by plugging tiny air leaks. Caulk and weather-strip all seams, cracks and openings to keep hot air outside.
+ Clean or replace air filters. Dirty air filters cause the AC unit to work harder than necessary, increasing your energy use and bills.
+ Install a programmable thermostat to save up to $180 a year in energy costs.
+ Choose ENERGY STAR appliances which use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models.
+ Install low-flow bathroom fixtures and save thousands of gallons of water a year.
Jetson Green has highlighted 5 Common Green Building Mistakes and we couldn't agree more. They include:
1. Wasted Resources - use scraps where possible, save materials for other projects, or donate extras to reuse centers
2. Poorly Selected and Installed Insulation - use blown-in or spray foam insulation products to improve energy performance and minimize air leakage (and coordinate with ventilation system)
3. Improper Flashing and Drainage Planes for Water Management - update your know-how on flashing and drainage planes to control water and moisture
4. Tight Homes Built Without Intentional Ventilation - install whole house ventilation systems in all homes to provide fresh, clean air in tight homes
5. HVAC Ducts Installed in Unconditioned Space - layout and install all ductwork to run in conditioned space to improve efficiency and reduce wasted energy
If your workshop is in an unfinished garage or basement and not attached to your central heating system, your best option is to make use of space heaters.
Cool Tools brings us two of their favorites that cover a lot of different applications and one of them should work for you.
ProCom Unvented Propane Heater
A combination radiant/passive-convection heater powered by propane, the ProCom burns cleanly and needs no vent or chimney.
Dyna-Glo Pro Heater
It's very powerful (70,000 BTU) and, amazingly, creates no detectable odor while burning kerosene.
The SeattlePI.com explains the differences in the new super-efficient gas furnaces that are available today. It's possible you could cut 40% off your energy bill which is a savings that anyone would welcome.
One of the easiest ways to save money and energy is to insulate your home properly. You may have relied on your builder to determine if your home is properly sealed but don't. Their job is to finish the house on time and hopefully on budget which makes for mistakes and missed opportunities to check for drafts or air spaces in the attic and walls. The insulation unknowns in an previously owned home are just as questionable.
If you've never peeked into your ceilings crawlspace you don't know what you're missing. If you aren't the original owner of the home and you never got a chance to look up there you might find old treasures from previous families or just junk, most likely the latter.
Checking out the crawlspace above your ceiling provides you with a lot of insight into the construction of your home including the electrical system, HVAC, and possible additions or recent construction.
Photo: Sad Furnace Day from Fensterbme
The Home Depot has shared these tips for keeping your home warm this winter while saving money.
1. Regularly maintain your furnace and water heater. Regular maintenance on your furnace and water heater will increase energy efficiency in your home. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20 percent to 50 percent. Regular maintenance will help make these investments in your home last longer and be more energy efficient.
2. Install a programmable thermostat. You can save up to $180 a year by installing a programmable thermostat that controls the temperature of your home while you're at work or asleep.
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