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Old 05-03-2014, 10:14 AM
 
28,115 posts, read 63,680,034 times
Reputation: 23268

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I am surprised my usage 1% less than the most efficient 20 percent of 100 similar homes in my neighborhood.

The reason for my surprise is I have a 1950's home with single pane windows, Freezer, Washer and Dryer dating from the 1960's and Refrigerator and TV, Oven and Cooktop circa 1980.

Also, no low-flow shower heads or low flow toilets... not that the toilets affect energy usage.

According to the chart... similar homes typically use 50% more energy...

Anyone else tracking their home energy index?
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Old 05-03-2014, 10:49 AM
 
947 posts, read 1,464,726 times
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It's also your insulation in your walls as well as building materials as well as how much you use the items.
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Old 05-03-2014, 11:41 AM
 
28,115 posts, read 63,680,034 times
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True... all the homes are in the same tract of 1950's homes... just about everyone has upgraded to double pane windows... some have done so twice.

I really can't think of anyone I know with a freezer and washer dryer from the 60's... the washer dryer were just standard Sears Kenmore and the Freezer Amana.

Funny thing is just about everyone has flat screens and front loader washers to save energy... some are on their second set.

We are not doing anything special... I don't like a hot house... so much of the year, I don't even use the furnace... don't have A/C, but then only one home on my street has A/C

I've always been a stickler for turning off lights, washing full loads, and even using a clothesline to dry... also, never use my dishwasher...

I agree, it's just as much about being frugal as it is having the latest expensive energy star appliances.

My average daily kW usage is 12 per day....
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Old 05-05-2014, 05:59 PM
 
12,823 posts, read 24,406,112 times
Reputation: 11042
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultrarunner View Post
I am surprised my usage 1% less than the most efficient 20 percent of 100 similar homes in my neighborhood.

The reason for my surprise is I have a 1950's home with single pane windows, Freezer, Washer and Dryer dating from the 1960's and Refrigerator and TV, Oven and Cooktop circa 1980.

Also, no low-flow shower heads or low flow toilets... not that the toilets affect energy usage.

According to the chart... similar homes typically use 50% more energy...

Anyone else tracking their home energy index?
Same here. We live like monks.
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Old 05-06-2014, 10:49 AM
 
28,115 posts, read 63,680,034 times
Reputation: 23268
Pretty much... never got into all the electrical gadgets...

Some of my friends live off grid on beautiful land with nice homes in the redwoods... it's surprising how a few simple steps translate into significant savings.
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Old 05-06-2014, 11:15 AM
 
43 posts, read 107,390 times
Reputation: 48
The PGE report doesn't take into account how many people live in your home. It just compares your home to similar sized homes, which could have more people.

I would bet high energy use homes have a few of the following:
1. electric car
2. pool/hot tub
3. electric hot water heater
4. electric heater/space heaters
5. electric dryer
6. home business with multiple computers/servers
7. above average number of residents

Just because you use less energy than a similar home doesn't mean your home is energy efficient. You could be even more energy efficient, but it is a cost-benefit analysis. Upgrading old appliances or windows may or may not be worth the up front cost.
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Old 05-06-2014, 11:33 AM
 
28,115 posts, read 63,680,034 times
Reputation: 23268
Quote:
Originally Posted by OaktownAndy View Post
The PGE report doesn't take into account how many people live in your home. It just compares your home to similar sized homes, which could have more people.

I would bet high energy use homes have a few of the following:
1. electric car
2. pool/hot tub
3. electric hot water heater
4. electric heater/space heaters
5. electric dryer
6. home business with multiple computers/servers
7. above average number of residents

Just because you use less energy than a similar home doesn't mean your home is energy efficient. You could be even more energy efficient, but it is a cost-benefit analysis. Upgrading old appliances or windows may or may not be worth the up front cost.
Certainly things to consider and good points

All the homes are tract homes...

Number of people is probably the largest variable... although not many kids around here... even closed a good performing school because of low enrollment.

Most every heats with gas for water and space heating... electric dryers are the norm...

Pools are rare on this side of the bay as are homes with A/C
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