Energy saving ideas not in the book
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Brian Charn
Nov 5, 2008, 5:26:39 PM11/5/08
to davis-low-...@googlegroups.com, amy.r...@alumnae.brynmawr.edu
Kim asked me to pass on some information about energy saving opportunities that our group cam up with that were not listed in the book:
1) Bring your own reusable containers to restaurants where you might have leftovers to take home. That way you won't have to use their packaging which will lead to less trash/recycling.
2) A whole house fan is a great way to take advantage of the Delta Breeze and quickly lower your house's temperature once the sun sets in the summer. Look under "Fans Household" in the Yolo County Yellow Pages for installers. We used The Whole House Fan Company (clever name, huh?) and paid about $1,500 including a $100 rebate from PG&E.
3) If a whole house fan won't work for you, a solar attic fan might. These fans help vent the hot air that builds up in your atic during the day which helps insulate the house from the heat outside. I don't know what kind of contractor to call to get this done, but it shouldn't be hard to find out. For those interested in do-it-yourself projects, This Old House has a web site and video specifically designed to help with this project:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047003,00.html
4) In-line water heaters (also called tankless hot water heaters): Unlike standerd hot water tanks that constantly keep a tank of water hot, these devices only heat water when they sense a hot water tap has been turned on. I've heard Talbott Solar can help you get these installed as can several of the larger, local Plumbing companies.
5) Small solar heaters can be used to heat spas and pools. Again I'd start at Talbott Solar or your plumber.
6) If you live in a house where the hot water heater is very far from the master bath, it can take forever to get hot water when you turn on the shower. One fit for this is a Hot Water Recurculation Pump. Basically the device connects the hot and cold lines at the furthest point from the hot water heater and then pumps water from the hot water line into the cold water line (and back to the hot water heater so it's not wasted). This allows the water at the furthest line to always be hot. The disadvantage is that there is hot water in the cold water line so you get warm water when you initially turn on the cold water. This system saves water, but will require electricity to run so I'm not entirely sure its either cost effective of carbon saving.
Does anyone have any personal experiance, comments or suggestions about any of these items?
Brian Charn
1) Bring your own reusable containers to restaurants where you might have leftovers to take home. That way you won't have to use their packaging which will lead to less trash/recycling.
2) A whole house fan is a great way to take advantage of the Delta Breeze and quickly lower your house's temperature once the sun sets in the summer. Look under "Fans Household" in the Yolo County Yellow Pages for installers. We used The Whole House Fan Company (clever name, huh?) and paid about $1,500 including a $100 rebate from PG&E.
3) If a whole house fan won't work for you, a solar attic fan might. These fans help vent the hot air that builds up in your atic during the day which helps insulate the house from the heat outside. I don't know what kind of contractor to call to get this done, but it shouldn't be hard to find out. For those interested in do-it-yourself projects, This Old House has a web site and video specifically designed to help with this project:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047003,00.html
4) In-line water heaters (also called tankless hot water heaters): Unlike standerd hot water tanks that constantly keep a tank of water hot, these devices only heat water when they sense a hot water tap has been turned on. I've heard Talbott Solar can help you get these installed as can several of the larger, local Plumbing companies.
5) Small solar heaters can be used to heat spas and pools. Again I'd start at Talbott Solar or your plumber.
6) If you live in a house where the hot water heater is very far from the master bath, it can take forever to get hot water when you turn on the shower. One fit for this is a Hot Water Recurculation Pump. Basically the device connects the hot and cold lines at the furthest point from the hot water heater and then pumps water from the hot water line into the cold water line (and back to the hot water heater so it's not wasted). This allows the water at the furthest line to always be hot. The disadvantage is that there is hot water in the cold water line so you get warm water when you initially turn on the cold water. This system saves water, but will require electricity to run so I'm not entirely sure its either cost effective of carbon saving.
Does anyone have any personal experiance, comments or suggestions about any of these items?
Brian Charn
Kim Vincent
Nov 7, 2008, 8:53:49 PM11/7/08
to Davis Low Carbon Diet
Does anyone have any personal experience, comments, or suggestions on
what Brian Charn posted? Google blog is a great way to increase our
communication as a group and may be a useful tool for future programs.
Kim
what Brian Charn posted? Google blog is a great way to increase our
communication as a group and may be a useful tool for future programs.
Kim
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages