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Message |
    
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 101
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 1:52 pm: |     |
I originally posted this elsewhere, but thought it might need its own thread.....
You don't even want to know how high our PSE&G bills have been ... need I say it will be Hamburger Helper for dinner for the rest of the winter!
Therefore, I am looking for your comments, recommendations, ideas on hiring a company to come in assess our overall house - insulation, heating, doors & windows- whatever it takes. I need a very reputable person that will not soak us! Thanks in advance.... |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 82
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 3:25 pm: | |
You've probably looked this stuff up yourself, but try this:
http://www.ase.org/powersmart/
These are mainly simple tips for saving energy while you wait to get your home reno done. There are also some general ideas about what reno you might like to consider.
We are in the midst of a huge mushrooming-out-of-control reno project designed to make our house more energy efficient (re-insulating attic, basement, and eventually walls; getting some boiler work done; replacing some windows; putting in CFLs wherever we can, which means replacing the actual light fixtures in some cases; etc.). We didn't have a single company consult with us, instead we've been doing it piecemeal and learning a lot as we go. While it's going to cost us a lot of money, and we probably won't recover it all for years & years, we feel it's the right thing to do being pretty much "greenies" in our house. Plus, it will make our house more comfortable.
My husband looked through the attic on MOL to find reputable people in all categories, and we seem to have done pretty well so far. We've been looking for carpenters, insulators, plumbers, electricians, asbestos remediators, and waterproofers (can't insulate the basement when it's wet!). We'll probably have to add interior painters at some point.
It has taken us months and months to actually start any of the serious work - we had the first little thing done yesterday.
In the meantime, think like a miser - turn down the heat as far as you can bear it (we keep ours at 65 when we are up & around, 60 when we are away or asleep - did you know that for each degree you lower your thermostat in winter, you can save about 3 percent on your heating bill?), put in CFL bulbs in any fixtures wehre they are safe (not on dimmers, not in enclosed fixtures, OK on most lamps), wash your clothes on cold, put a lid on the pot when you're cooking, etc. Common sense stuff, but we're just being very very conscious of every penny spent.
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harold
Citizen
Username: Harold
Post Number: 176
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 5:49 pm: | |
Clkelly, good advice, a little common sense goes a long way.
I get a charge of some folks who post [or boast] about how high they keep their thermostat, and then post crazy heating bills!!!!! |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 107
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 9:54 pm: | |
$152 a month, every month.
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tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 309
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 10:22 pm: | |
If you go to www.bpi.org you will find a page listing of contractors. Though NJ has a sparse list, the NY listings have contractors in the city that are not that far away and may come to NJ. It is kinda important to find a contractor that will do a blower door test to evaluate and assess the efficacy of the work performed. They should also conduct combustion tests to make sure you are not suffocating yourselves in your newly tightened house! If whoever you talk to isn't familiar with the above, then find someone else. Find someone who uses cellulose insulation. It won't be cheap so you want to have it done right!
If you have a hot air system, a new Energy Star Rated furnace will save you a huge amount in heating bills. Shop only for Energy Star Rated appliances overall. Call National Wholesale Liquidators in Union(Best Buy plaza) and see if they have any more discounted CFLs and fixtures($1 per bulb, $4 per fixture). Check out www.njcleanenergy.com/html/1residential/2_warm_advantage.html for incentives and free advice. |
eratosthenes
Citizen
Username: Eratosthenes
Post Number: 26
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 6:08 am: | |
I've learned a lot about insulation from the following book: "Insulate and Weatherize" by Bruce Harley. I was at least able to learn enough to know who to avoid when I talked to contractors ("don't seal up the house, it has to breathe", "what's a vapor barrier?", etc). You have some time before next winter, I recommend doing your homework.
One point of note: Harley is dismissive of replacement windows, good windows repay themselves in 20 years, bad windows in 40 years. If you're on a limited budget, focus on air-sealing and insulating attic, walls, basement. Windows can be improved with weather-stripping and storm windows.
On heating, if you have steam heat, you should read "We've got steam heat!" by Dan Holohan, available at www.heatinghelp.com. This is essential reading for every homeowner in a house with steam heat. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 102
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 11:45 am: | |
Harold:
As as I sit here with the temp set at 62 and my vest on, please don't view my post as a boast...it is far from it. SO/Map is bless with fabulous old homes and we are blessed/cursed to live in one. I am trying to do right by this house and not make architectural changes just because it benefits me in 2004! If your heat is flying out the back door it doesn't matter how low you keep your temp., if it is not remaining in the house! There are many homes in the area with the same issues and sharing this info is one of the great assets of MOL.
Now that I got that off my chest....thank you all for the wonderful info, I will spend the next few days reading & researching. Anyone have any direct opinions about specific insulation contractors (good or bad)? Thanks again... |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 188
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 9:27 pm: | |
Probably the most interesting site that I have read about someone's attempt (and success) at lowering their energy bill:
http://www.rmfdevelopment.com/energysa.html
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clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 87
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 6, 2004 - 6:41 am: | |
kevin, that's awesome. I hope my husband doesn't see your post or I'll be hanging out clothes outside to dry!
(I actually have a clothesline but have never put it up - I'm not handy and I find the idea of pouring concrete daunting. Anyway, if I ever get it installed, it will be for warm months ONLY.)
We've already instituted a lot of Ryan's suggestions. I need to get those plug switches though. In Ireland and other European countries, every outlet has a switch on it and people turn them off when not in use. Obvious, isn't it?
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harold
Citizen
Username: Harold
Post Number: 177
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 6, 2004 - 10:01 am: | |
Happyman, if your therm. is set on 62, you're not the one I'm making fun of....its the few who set their stats at 72 and can't understand how you can lower yours[ to save a few bucks] and be uncomfortable. |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 190
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 6, 2004 - 10:15 am: | |
What I found most relavent about that article was that the author's house was, "a grand old 2000 square foot 1917 home" - probably like most houses in the neighborhood.
He thinks that your money is better spent on insulation than new double-paned windows.
I'll have to look into his favorite insulation product which he describes as, "double bubble radiant barriers uses a space age technology to supply R-10 in 3/16" of an inch and reflect 99% plus of all energy it comes in contact with."
Their website is here:
http://www.radiantbarrier.com/
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happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 104
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 6, 2004 - 10:42 am: | |
Kevin,
I agree the "1917" got my attention also. It is an excellent article/resource....thanks again for you input! |
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