The life of a “Modman.â€

If you have windows that are not shaded by shutters or trees, you can now buy inexpensive low-tint films that reduce heat transmission and help keep cooling expenses down.

Cooling sections of the house rather than using central cooling is much more energy efficient. If you only occupy the bedroom at night, look into a portable or window unit. Ceiling fans are also a low-energy way to cool specific areas.

Switching to solar water heating is the best bang for your solar dollar - the feds are giving a 30% tax credit, and many states are also issuing credits and rebates. Go look at your water heater. If it's old and not energy efficient (especially the electric heaters) you might break even in the first couple of years!

 

I'd rather see shower and sink drainwater heat recovery, rather
than worrying about the walls too much. Many shower-stalls are
plastic or fiberglass which doesn't conduct that much heat away
in the first place..
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jul 12 2006, 07:16 AM) [snapback]284921[/snapback]</div>

This is part of the problem: Sure there are things we can do that do not affect our lifestyle (conservation) but the root of our problem is that during the decades of cheap energy we became accostomed to an extravagant lifestyle: We moved out into the suburbs, requiring 2 cars per family; with so many people driving cars, we tore out public transit; we bought RV's and boats, requiring huge SUV's and pickup trucks to haul them; we built houses 3 or 4 or 5 times as big as where we used to live; and in general we adopted a lifestyle that required an enormous amount of energy, while in many ways reducing our quality of life as we accumulated energy-consuming STUFF.

Now we are recognizing that we cannot continue to use this much energy, so we are talking about making all that STUFF more energy-efficient, but unless we cut back on all that STUFF, conservation is not going to be enough, and the energy crunch will STUFF US into a very small hole in the ground.

 

I (almost) disagree, daniel. While I think we should be willing (read:need) to make some changes, you can make many of those changes without 'reducing' your quality of life.

People that share priorities of sustainability and environmental protection are willing to make the bigger changes - but it's ESSENTIAL that we make the half steps available in the meantime. We can't expect everyone to share our priorities immediately, but making it easier and cheaper is needed, and brings different types of people to the green table.

 

I cut my heating way down by: insulating the attic (old house in So. Cal so it hadn't been done...did it myself) and installing a programable thermostat. Huge bang for buck. The gift that keeps on giving.

Even if you don't xeriscape....put in a drip system on timers. Really cuts down on water.

Ceiling fans are cheaper than air conditioning. I close the house up during the day, then open it up when the temperature drops.

In the winter, I reverse the direction of the fans and reduce my heating bill as well.

I also installed a "Solatube" skylight (tubular skylight) in the kitchen. I had a very dark kitchen and would have to turn the lights on even in the day. Not any more. Huge difference. Best money I ever spent. I had it done but you can buy them at Home Depot and do them yourself.

Do be careful of those low flow toilets if you have an old house with old pipes. There needs to be SOME water moving the undesirables down the sewage line. If not...you'll be looking at roto-rooter on a regular basis.

 

I like the sugestions about the lights. But when it comes to showers, I just take a show under two minutes. That's all the time I need. Learned to shower fast during my time in the NAVY.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jul 12 2006, 09:33 AM) [snapback]284924[/snapback]</div>

Can someone please educate me on this concept?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jul 12 2006, 10:57 AM) [snapback]284937[/snapback]</div>

that's a dang good idea tony! especially down here where we've got the a/c on all the time nowadays. i'll have to see if we can rig something up, i think we've got an extra plywood panel laying around somewhere.

 

Didn't Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie style homes have longer eaves sticking out? They shaded the windows in the summer, yet let the winter sun shine in.

 

Unplug appliances which you don't use daily, i.e. toaster, cell phone chargers, TV, VCR, DVD player etc. Even when the appliance is off it is still using electricity.
(Personal Note: I have saved 20% on my electric bill by doing this.)

If you can, walk instead of drive.

The other tips you guys posted are great. Keep 'em coming!