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Old 02-11-2010, 12:19 PM
 
1,534 posts, read 3,495,976 times
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Suppose I buy a typical Perry home circa 1997, 2500sqft 2story, 4brm 2.5bth...Single paned windows, 3 side bricks, 2ACs of unknown SEER but circa 1997. House Faces West. Assume nothing updated since construction from energy perspective but house is well maintained.

1.) What do I have to do to make it up to todays energy savings equivalent? I'm gessing 14 SEER AC, Low E windows, radiant barrier in roof, better water heater? What else? About how much will these projects cost and is it even possible without having to gut the house? -Just looking for easy but effective things to do.

2.) Can anyone give me referrals to good ppl to do these ideas?

Thanks!
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Old 02-11-2010, 12:42 PM
 
Location: Houston area
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Windows and a/c will make the biggest difference in your efficiency. In fact, mostly just the a/c. I'd swap both out before you do other things.
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Old 02-11-2010, 12:51 PM
 
Location: Clear Lake, Houston TX
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Yep, AC-- and you can do better than 14 SEER nowadays.
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Old 02-11-2010, 01:19 PM
 
1,534 posts, read 3,495,976 times
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Thanks, any referrals and ball park est of costs?
Tstone: True, would love to go to 15 SEER. I remember someone telling me going to 15 SEER may require changing out internal ducts or part of them or something like that -not as easy as going to 14, but I'll check with contractor I end up using.
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Old 02-11-2010, 01:31 PM
 
Location: Clear Lake, Houston TX
8,376 posts, read 30,709,877 times
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My 16 SEER was a freon conversion from R22 to (the environmentally friendly) 410A. For this your lines have to be cleaned properly, be able to withstand higher pressure and the tech has to charge the system properly. This might be what you're thinking about.

Eventually they are phasing out 22 (just like automobile 12), which means recharges will cost an arm and a leg. So I figured I'd jump on the wave of the future.

I know some green stuff is junk, but I have nothing but praise for it. Saves energy and is actually colder than the old 22. Mixed with a ceiling fan rotating properly, it can nearly freeze you out.
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Old 02-11-2010, 08:32 PM
 
1,534 posts, read 3,495,976 times
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Thanks for the help. 16SEERS, wow, I think I have AC envy.
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Old 02-11-2010, 10:11 PM
 
Location: Tricity, PL
61,743 posts, read 87,194,708 times
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More savvy ideas here: EERE: Energy Savers Home Page
ENERGY STAR @ home : ENERGY STAR click on room-by-room
Building an Energy Efficient Home - ideas & local builders check by zip
Energy efficient home ideas
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