Today’s Energy Trip – Exactly where’s The Power Savings?
Today’s Energy Trip – Power Savings on the Hill
Generally when I go to a large home on a hill, I have the preconceived thought that there is probable not a lot wrong with the home Power-wise or any other wise. You know, the large home on the hill is exactly where individuals with cash live and exactly where builders put a small additional into the high quality of the construction.
The driveway is gravel and private, the only residence on the road. On the drive up, I believe around animals. Single residence – sitting in an open space on a hill – indicates Dog or Dogs – could mean Large Dogs. Could mean huge, ferocious, free of charge roaming dogs with huge appetites. I am on the appear out.
When I was a lot younger and lighter, I was yanked about a wet, dewy grass yard on my backside by a big playful puppy. He got a hold of my pants leg and would not let go.
I pulled about behind the residence and was indeed met by a huge dog. It did not take me lengthy to recognize that it has been a lengthy time given that this pooch bit anybody. As a matter of truth, it appeared this dog had not moved more rapidly than a slow walk in stop a spell. I stood nonetheless as this old lady identified me by smell rather of sight.
This home was a custom built by a homeowner that was in the lumber provide enterprise. He knew that high ceilings and tall doors had been the existing well-known trend. As a result, this residence has 8-foot doors, 9-foot ceilings, and several large windows.
The Heating Program:
Installed in an below floor crawl space is an 80% natural gas furnace that has heated the residence given that the residence was new in 2001. The filter is a widespread washable and reusable plastic based filter that has been cleaned lately. Most of the heating ducts are in the home among the finished basement and the upstairs. An air conditioner was extra in 2003.
Thermostat:
The thermostat is on the wall in the upstairs hallway. With 9-foot ceilings, the thermostat is much closer to the floor than the ceiling. The thermostat has been programmed to set back at night and in the course of the day. The fan has been set to “ON”, so the furnace fan runs 24/7.
Water Heater:
The 50-gallon water heater sits behind the furnace in un-heated space. Natural gas, like the furnace, the water heater is ten years old and has presented no difficulties. Homeowner says they have a lot more hot water and a noticeably lower gas bill because the kid went off to college. Regrettably, the educational charges offset the savings in the gas department.
Exactly where is the Power Savings?
The furnace could be upgraded to a 95% effective, modulating, variable speed fan model. Nevertheless, in this residence it would not be price efficient as the pay back period would be lengthy. The air conditioner could also be upgraded to a much more effective model, but faces the exact same lengthy payback period. Each the furnace and air conditioner ought to be upgraded when either demands a service call or the homeowner has a bunch of additional cash just sitting about.
The furnace fan requirements to be set on automatic. This homeowner had a buddy advise them to leave the furnace fan on all the time. In this house, it is a waste of Power.
Numerous of the huge double pane windows have lost their seal and allowed moister to invade among the glass panes and cloud the view. When this occurs, the windows also lose some of their insulation value. The windowpanes really should be replaced.
Window film coverings really should be installed on the huge windows facing to the south. The summer sun heats this home up fairly great. The window film would quit significantly of the solar heat acquire and lessen the load on the air conditioner.
Replace the refrigerator. An old side-by-side sits in the kitchen that was there initial refrigerator when they had been married. It looks out-of-place in this newer, contemporary kitchen. I hooked up my wattmeter to the refrigerator and will leave it plugged in over the weekend to see just how a lot juice it makes use of in comparison to a new Power star.
I will suggest some businesses that deal with window film to the homeowner, let the homeowner get in touch with, and schedule a couple bids. Window film individuals usually bring several various samples and adore to give a sales pitch. I believe I will let the homeowner manage the film.
It will be my job to schedule, meet a couple of glass contractors at the house to measure, and get bids on replacing the failed windowpanes.
Properly, it is time to head residence for the weekend; I say excellent-bye to the guard dog and head back down the narrow gravel road. I sure appreciate that dog. The only huge dogs I like are the ones I do not have to meet.
Thanks for coming along. See you soon. Do not forget to turn the lights off…
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.