energy.....cost..savings...losses

[protus]

Since getting the new place I've done little things to try and be efficient I our energy use. From swapping all bulbs to CFLs..and even now considering LEDs. To newer more efficient water heater. To little stuff like weather strip around a door.
This weekend (today) ill be under the house installing insulation. R13 that's wrapped in a vapor barrier.
There is zero under there now. I also inspected more in depth our insulation in our attic crawl space.
Only one major place the kitchen has zero. This has made our hvac run and work poorly. Enough that my bill is twice what its ever been before moving.
We don't have heat due to a flood (minor part...but we decided not worth it) ...and this should help then as well.
Its been near /over 100f here and if we can keep the house at 82 we are lucky. LOL. But that's put a hurt on the wallet.

Did find some issues electrical while I the attic I had to fix and a 2 ft by 5+ ft water tank???
so now the ideas are flowing.

[Lowdown3]

I added some loose fill insulation about this time years ago. It's a crappy job this time of year. Get started early morning when it's cool. You can push that around with a homemade push stick if you don't have a blower. I like the bats better but their was some tight areas with lots of wire that we had to insulate that I had to use the loose fill for.

Evidently their is some mesh or plastic screening type deal out now that you can use to help keep the crawlspace insulation in place. The little wire bridge holders don't work super great as you probably remember from the hunting camp.

Had to replace AC in the original part of the house in the last couple years. I kept getting the "more efficient" sales talk from the guy. I kinda figured BS at the time, but I think it's pretty true.

[cpt_sfc]

My house was built in the mid 30's very drafty cold when I bought it. I used spray foam in the crawl space because here in the woods critters are hard to keep out. The foam was sprayed from the base of the footing to the floor right over the sill plate. This has kept out the mice and cold air for 30 years now. I do have to uncover the vents in summer and cover them in winter. It only takes an inch over all to seal. Other folks in the area have put 2 inch blue board foam on the ceiling, you can buy it pre sprayed like dry wall. Or put dry wall over it. There are companies in this area that can put foam in the walls also. Foam has come a long way in the last 30 odd years. They now make it solid, firm or even flex able, that one is from Canada. They even sell DIY at home depot and the internet. good luck and here is to a cooler summer, of course this is all the fault of global warming!!!!.

[protus]

Well...just got done....
This afternoon will be the test....so far floor feels cooler...


Yeah the newer 13-15 seer units are better...I'm not a fan of 410a refrigerate ...but I'm.old school LOL.

If we had the funds id like to replace the hvac here...with new ducts...but $$$$...even with my discount ...

Its 89 now...index 100+.....set at 74 ..see how we do at 3pm....

[610Alpha]

HVAC replacement is expensive. In the old house I had added extra insulation rolls in the attic (the bad part is I didn't realize trusses were on 24" center all the rolls were 16" so I was short 1/3 oh well).

We replaced our HVAC back a few years ago, 95% efficient Furnace and I think we got a 15 or 16 SEER AC. Our Nat. Gas daily avg. usage went from .9 Therms/day to .3 Therms/day! When you don't have a pilot light running 24/7 that helps.

We got a 2 stage blower and the AC seemed to do a good job. For me measuring the efficiency of the AC was a lot harder the only thing we had was old bills and I don't remember going back and comparing them. Plus a programmable thermostat.

Paul Wheaton has some good youtube videos on light bulbs especially CFL. His stance on CFL's is you are better off turning them off vs buying them. He has some good videos on energy efficiency.

Warning you might hear some language with Paul.

[Machrism82]

My house situation is kind the opposite. My insulation is good but one heater is total crap. As well as our water heater which is incredible rusted. It's 20 plus years old but here in Utah the water quality sucks. So I'm hoping our heater can go one more winter. We have two heaters and two A/Cs. That's what I get for buying a 3,900 sq ft house. Anyway. If I'm lucky. All I'll have to replace right now is the water heater then heaters in the spring if possible. I'm totally dreading new A/Cs because I want the most efficient **** possible. The lowest seer right now is 13 and mine are 8 and 10 so huge savings. Here's a question for you guys. Anyone have a NG/ Propane fridge or freezer and the cost effective where you live. NG is the cheaper rout for me here.

[Rmplstlskn]

I feel your pain, Brother Protus....

Some things that really helped me...


Great Stuff Pro Foam Dispenser
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STU...0409/202892513

Seriously!!!! That gun is freakin' awesome! It allows you to put foam with PRECISION just where you want it. It is so easy to regulate how much, unlike the "homeowner" cans that drool for ever after each use and you have to use all in one shot. With the Pro gun, when you are done, close the valve, and that foam will sit good to go for over a month or more. Love this thing! I will never go to anything else....ever.

You will be so surprised how much air infiltration and heat gain slip in through cracks in crawl spaces and walls.

In Florida, think of getting a solar-powered attic fan. You have to keep the heat down in the attic, no two ways about it. Insulate anything and everything you can, which it sounds like you are doing. The insulation in the floor joists in the crawl space will help greatly.

But, it also sounds like you AC system is either not working right, under-over rated, or just poorly ducted. I know DEBT is a nasty word, but when I was in Micanopy, we did a finance plan on a Trane XL system. Complete system was about $5k, but WOW did it work great. Major power savings! It really would pay for itself in 5-10 years in savings. So it is possible to get a new unit, you just need to decide if the debt is worth it....

Last long term option.... Plant some shade trees to grow over house. Start now and your kids when they inherit your house after we croak will thank you in their prayers for the great shade around the house. LOL!

Keep up the good work!

Rmpl

[protus]

Rmpln
Ac works. Temps at the furthest vent ar 50-f on a 90+f day. (I do ac work..).
But the duct job here sucks.
Also very lil to no attic.
Just doing what weve done has made a big difference. Bill dropped 100$ the 1st month..........
So this project has already paid for itself three times now.

Shade trees ...lol brother i live in the oak hammock swamps...my house really only gets direct sun for 2-3 hours...

[Rmplstlskn]

Sounds like you are directing fire for effect and having results...

Love those big Live Oaks of Florida, except for the leaves that don't mulch well...

Rmpl

[1Admin]

How does the spray foam insulation hold up in fires?

I used to not believe that the loose fill cellulose crap wouldn't burn- then I tried to burn a bunch of it. It is really resistant. Surprised me.

[Rmplstlskn]

They do sell fire-rated foam cans for the PRO spray guns... But more $$$...