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Hello,
I'm a new homeowner in Suburban NY looking to save some money on my energy costs. I'm looking to see what are the best options for saving on energy costs - here's the details of my home:
House size is 1075 sq/feet (1.5 stories) built in the 50's, currently only my wife & I live there, but a third is on the way in February
My home is heated by oil/hot water, 2 zones. I do not have a hot water tank - my hot water is heated on demand. I have gas cooking as well as gas powered dryer so I have the option to switch to all gas, but I'm going to hold off on that for now.
I've found that our oil use is higher than expected, especially since the weather has been quite mild, we use a programmable thermostat - we keep the heat at 61 while at work, 66 during the evening hours, 63 overnight. My guess (a very rough estimate) is that we're burning 100 gallons per month, resulting in a bill way too large for our small home! I notice that when I use hot water, even just for 15 seconds to wash my hands, the boiler might turn on to heat the water, and using hot water several times throughout the night might explain why our oil use is higher than expected. Might it be a good idea to have a separate hot water tank put in, possibly gas powered or electric powered? Anyone else have ideas or suggestions?
This really is a no brainer, but if you have a backyard, then there is absolutely no excuse not to have a clothesline to dry your clothes for free, instead of using a dryer that costs money.
This really is a no brainer, but if you have a backyard, then there is absolutely no excuse not to have a clothesline to dry your clothes for free, instead of using a dryer that costs money.
It was 9 degrees here this morning while I was doing my laundry--how exactly do you expect my laundry to dry outside in weather like that....same thing in upstate NY .
Hello,
I'm a new homeowner in Suburban NY looking to save some money on my energy costs. I'm looking to see what are the best options for saving on energy costs - here's the details of my home:
House size is 1075 sq/feet (1.5 stories) built in the 50's, currently only my wife & I live there, but a third is on the way in February
My home is heated by oil/hot water, 2 zones. I do not have a hot water tank - my hot water is heated on demand. I have gas cooking as well as gas powered dryer so I have the option to switch to all gas, but I'm going to hold off on that for now.
I've found that our oil use is higher than expected, especially since the weather has been quite mild, we use a programmable thermostat - we keep the heat at 61 while at work, 66 during the evening hours, 63 overnight. My guess (a very rough estimate) is that we're burning 100 gallons per month, resulting in a bill way too large for our small home! I notice that when I use hot water, even just for 15 seconds to wash my hands, the boiler might turn on to heat the water, and using hot water several times throughout the night might explain why our oil use is higher than expected. Might it be a good idea to have a separate hot water tank put in, possibly gas powered or electric powered? Anyone else have ideas or suggestions?
Thanks
Oil is very expensive for heating. You said your hot water is on demand.... are you sure it is not electric or gas? Never heard of an oil one before. You may want to consider going electric.
Do you have a fireplace? If so, get a pellet stove insert put in. If not, use an oil filled electric radiator heater in your bedroom at night and turn the temp down low throughout the night. Or do a combination of the two.
Make sure your attic is properly insulated. This will make a huge difference and is something you can do yourself for relatively inexpensively.
Go through and weatherstrip your doors and windows. Caulk any gaps or cracks around your home that go to the outside.
Will one of your local utilities do a free home energy audit? This can help find specific areas that need attention. I do not know whether there are any constraints, such as outdoor temperature, on when they can do an audit.
The basics are to make sure you have adequate insulation, energy efficient windows, and caulk and weatherstripping in all the right places.
Consider 3m film under draped windows, works well to block drafts.
Radiant Oil spaceheaters are ok for small room offset not too expensive if moderate.
Why have heat on when not there?
Not sure on oil but I read with electricity, it uses more to maintain than heat all at once (opposite of a/c).
This really is a no brainer, but if you have a backyard, then there is absolutely no excuse not to have a clothesline to dry your clothes for free, instead of using a dryer that costs money.
forecast for tonight is 0 with the windchill
Quote:
Originally Posted by FloridaKash
Oil is very expensive for heating. You said your hot water is on demand.... are you sure it is not electric or gas?
Actually I'm not sure how it works, I just know that there is no hot water tank. I'll have to do some research... Thanks for the other suggestions though
Quote:
Originally Posted by suzy_q2010
Will one of your local utilities do a free home energy audit? This can help find specific areas that need attention. I do not know whether there are any constraints, such as outdoor temperature, on when they can do an audit.
The basics are to make sure you have adequate insulation, energy efficient windows, and caulk and weatherstripping in all the right places.
Great Idea - I'll check with my local utility!
Quote:
Originally Posted by peet111
Why have heat on when not there?
So that the pipes don't freeze, in which case I'm in big trouble
Thanks all for your suggestions so far. I spoke with some coworkers who seem to think the insulation could be the biggest factor, which matches what many of you have said so far.
Your home energy audit will also (I think) tell you how efficient your windows are. Close blind/window coverings in the summer during the heat of the day on southern & western windows.
Hang an accessible clothes closet rod near washing machine. Hang up shirts & pants to dry rather than put in dryer. That's what I do. The humidity in your area might not allow for this but it's really dry here so it works.
I don't know a thing about oil water based heat. I have natural gas.
Congrats to you and your wife on your upcoming arrival.
Solar Panels worked for me. Cut down our electricity bill to nothing. Then convert to electric furnace. I haven't converted anything yet. My house is all natural gas at the moment.
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