What can we do to save energy? (sales, rental)

[Coaster]

With energy costs soaring, and no relief in sight, what are you doing to save or reduce your energy consumption here in Maine? I've done the obvious stuff -- cut way back on driving, turned off my furnace almost a month ago, started walking around my house with a caulking gun and a critical eye. My tax stimulus check is going for firewood, if I can find any.

Now I'm starting to think about things like window quilts and maybe buying a scooter for around-town errands. Anyone else have ideas they can pass on to the rest of us?

[AustinB]

We are sort of driving less. Course I've just wrecked my car that got the good gas mileage, so it's back to the truck for awhile. We also bought a pellet stove to use instead of the oil furnace. Now it's to get a cord of wood and more insulation.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by Coaster

Now I'm starting to think about things like window quilts and maybe buying a scooter for around-town errands. Anyone else have ideas they can pass on to the rest of us?

I like the idea of one of those scooters! Can't use one down here - they'd blow you right off the street! But up there in a smaller town, sure, why not? We already have a set of mountain bikes, but on a hot day like this, it doesn't appeal. Oh - I forgot - it doesn't get that hot in northern Maine!

[flycessna]

Are we talking about saving ENERGY, Or saving MONEY. For me their 2 different approaches. I wish I could just focus on saving energy, buying a hybrid, installing solar panels to offset electrical costs, installing a more efficient heating system ect.....would be great things to do.

Unfortunately for me.............its about the $$$. So I will keep the old fuel inefficient vehicle and old heating system to save money. In researching some things I learned that at even 4-5 dollars for a gallon of oil and gas.....it would take years to get back any money spent on a new heating system or hybrid car...two things I had been actually looking at before everything went crazy.

So for now I have cut way back on driving, eating out, no new purchases, and we changed the way we shop for food. But probably the biggest thing I did was refi some of my investment property and my house......I hated doing it!! I ended up paying crazy closing costs and extending my mortgages, which were time lined to be done in the next 10 years, out to 30 years. I ended up saving my self $1000 a month. I told my wife that even though it certainly did not fit our long term goals, it fit our immediate goals. And "when"! things get back to reasonable, We can reevaluate

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Coaster

With energy costs soaring, and no relief in sight, what are you doing to save or reduce your energy consumption here in Maine?

Use less.

... My tax stimulus check is going for firewood, if I can find any.

You are welcome to come here and take some of our blowdowns.

[starwalker]

I understand the issues that saving energy does not necessarily equal saving $$. We would have bought a hybrid vehicle, were $$ not an issue!

We are "budgeting" trips to the city, trying to get down to one a week max, to run errands based around client calls. I do not charge them travel time, but I do charge for the consultation and an hour more than covers the cost for a tank of gas, at present at least. LOL I would like to get to do more tele-commuting and less on-site and am working on educating clients to alternative ways to collaborate.

Here on the homefront, I found in NC -- and it seems to work here as well -- that even if we turn off the electric water heater it will hold as warm for 24-48 hours, so we turn it on for an hour to heat up, shower, and then turn it off and still have some for dishes, etc. I want an on-demand propane with a solar-preheater when we find our home.

Replacing appliances with the smallest and most efficient one that fits the budget when replacement is needed is also on our list. We didn't move anything here but my dorm fridge (which was all I used when living alone).

When you are not using it TURN IT OFF!! I am not sure how big a deal it is in the typical home, but when I was off-grid "phantom load" was a big evil monster. All our things that ran off the 12 v system, converted to AC, were put on power strips that could turn them OFF. Radios, TVs etc that stay ready to come on at a moments notice do it eating electrons.

When you are not using it TURN IT OFF also goes for lights, TVs that are talking to the empty room, etc.

[Maineah]

We're putting in another wood stove (if I can get the chimney repaired by winter that is)
We plan to put another layer of insulation in the attic and are planning to start replacing the old single pane windows with double hung low z type. My truck is only two years old but I don't run it enough to worry about it. My wife's car is now five years old and we'll probably replace it later this summer though we're not planning to go to some hybrid or go-cart sized thing just to save a little gas. I already have a moped I ride to the store now and then and we also have a road bike we ride around on the weekends.
We will start the budget payments to the oil company for about $500.00 a month starting next month. Our electric bill is not enough to worry about though we did install all CFL lights last winter. We have all new energy efficient appliances so we're good there. I have installed motion sensor light switches in the bathrooms to shut off the lights after people leave. Our youngest leaves for college in August so with just the two of us here we won't have nearly as high a weekly grocery bill as before so we don't see the need for growing our own food or canning anymore.
We're combining taking our son to college with a vacation in that area of New York to kind of kill two birds with one stone and save gas over taking a separate vacation.
Next winter will be very telling. It will separate the steadfast from those who cannot afford to live here anymore.
With the economy so low and food and fuel so high there is going to be a lot of people leaving New England or doubling up in households. Multiple families under one roof may make a comeback as NMLM has pointed out. The problem with this whole thing looking forward to me is there is no end to this in sight. Within ten years you will see fuel oil become obsolete here as a main fuel source just as it did in the late 70's when electricity was cheaper. You will also see a huge jump in the price of firewood. $400-$500.00 a cord is right around the corner.

[RANGER.101ST]

well to save energy i have been rideing the bike alot more.the truck gets 17mpg the bike gets 45mpg.its allso saveing my wallet.it not to plesant in the raine but you do what you gota do.both of our vehicles are deisel so we have been paying $4 for a while now atleast the car gets 36mpg thats a pluss.i need to invest in a horse atleast if it breaks down i will have some meat in the freezer.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by RANGER.101ST

well to save energy i have been rideing the bike alot more.the truck gets 17mpg the bike gets 45mpg.its allso saveing my wallet.it not to plesant in the raine but you do what you gota do.both of our vehicles are deisel so we have been paying $4 for a while now atleast the car gets 36mpg thats a pluss.i need to invest in a horse atleast if it breaks down i will have some meat in the freezer.

I think I'll buy a steer and ride that, I'd rather eat beef than a horse when it breaks down!

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by starwalker

I understand the issues that saving energy does not necessarily equal saving $$. We would have bought a hybrid vehicle, were $$ not an issue!

I saw a story the other night that compared ownership costs between vehicles and their own hybrid option (accord vs hybrid accord) The best deal was the prius and it took 5 years to get your money back, the worst was the lexus which would take 63 years.

I want an on-demand propane with a solar-preheater when we find our home.

FYI....I had webber energy come over and give me a sales pitch for the on demand hot water heater....I want to say that to buy it and have installed was under 5k but I cant remember how much. It was one of the better ones out there, a Rinnai. My point is I asked them to give me a rental price. They came back at $35 a month....no lease, no other fee's!! I can call them anytime to come in and take it out. For me...it was a much better deal.

I do like it....I havent heard of a solar preheater??, I will look into that. bottom line I saved myself about 10-13 thousand kwh for the year. I think It still costs about the same because now we all take long showers And the only thing I do not like it how long it takes to get hot water at my kitchen sink...even though its instant it still takes about 30-40 sec. which is an eternity when your just need a little hot water. but other than that I love it.