passive solar apartment with solar hot water

It's that damn humidity. Traps the heat. That's one nice thing about the heat in the west. It's pretty dry and at night things cool down a bit.

11 kWh/day isn't bad. It's not amazing, but not terrible. Good luck getting through the rest of the summer. At least Fall is around the corner (kind of).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(txav8r @ Mar 12 2007, 10:50 AM) [snapback]404285[/snapback]</div>

NO IT DOESN'T HELP, BECAUSE YOU ARE OH SO WRONG!!!!! <_<

They:
* are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
* contain no mercury
* save energy and save money on utility bills — when used properly, about $150/year
* are better for the environment, since using less energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ther....pr_thermostats

If for some reason you feel this is some conspiracy concocted by the US EPA and DOE, then check out these links . . .

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10261.shtml
http://community.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/ThermostatMyths.html
http://www.ccicenter.org/archives/62
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2002/hea...costs102502.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Aug 14 2007, 04:01 AM) [snapback]495273[/snapback]</div>

Total electric bill, or just AC ?

If it is total, then mine is 3 fold.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ Aug 30 2007, 01:28 PM) [snapback]504439[/snapback]</div>

Total. The national average per house hold is something like 700 kWh/mo, I think. We use anywhere from 279 - 550 kWh/mo for a family of 4 in a 1300 sqft house. But... we have a swamp cooler, not an AC, so it's a lot easier for use to achieve those kinds of numbers. Our avg monthly use is probably somewhere around 425 kWh, I should figure that out sometime.

Actually, 11 kWh/day would be pretty good for the AC alone in a hot climate, that's what, 330 kWh/mo (assuming 30 day month). THat's pretty good. From looking at my parents energy bills, it seems that ACs can use way more than that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Aug 30 2007, 02:49 PM) [snapback]504458[/snapback]</div>

Is that right? I've performed comparisons on our water use and we fall waaaay behind average water consumption per capita. I was always curious about our electrical usage but never did the research. For 8 months of the year, we use 250 kwh per month. In Dec, Jan, Feb and March we use anywhere between 375 kwh per month and 500 kwh per month.

So we do well on our electrical use and water use in comparison to averages but I'm certain our gas consumption in winter would put all of you to shame. I just can't seem to get that one righted.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SSimon @ Aug 30 2007, 03:32 PM) [snapback]504545[/snapback]</div>

Back when I lived on the frigid prairies of Western Minnesota, we finally got a handle on our fuel oil consumption when we completely insulated, sided, and then put new vinyl windows on, our 1914 farmhouse.
It was absolutely amazing, the difference!

All the caulking, plastic over the windows, and draft stoppers could not compare to putting new siding and windows in. I think it was because the did the house wrap stuff before putting the siding on... oh, and we did the blow-in insulation.

One fabulous, warm and cozy winter there... and then I moved away.

 

I've done all low cost improvements to be recognized and did one higher cost improvement, which was attic insulation. The gas co. says we're down around 40% from where we were but our use is still way high. My sister has a house much bigger than mine with four levels (basement, split level first floor and upstairs) and she pays less than half of what we do.

Siding and windows are the last fuel efficiency improvements to be implemented and they're too costly for us right now. So we're forced to grit our teeth four months of the year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Aug 30 2007, 05:20 PM) [snapback]504564[/snapback]</div>

What town? I used to go out there every so often on Geology field trips when I was in college.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Aug 30 2007, 07:05 PM) [snapback]504658[/snapback]</div>

The farmhouse was 4.5 miles south of Kensington.

Kensington is along Hwy 55, about 20 miles southwest of Alexandria. You probably were around Glenwood, right? With the glacial potholes?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Aug 30 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]504662[/snapback]</div>

There (Glenwood) and Morrison ("Don't take it for granite, it's gneiss"). I also went out to Worthington to play hockey (against a team for Iowa) once. We looked at some other pot holes, but they were along the St. Croix river, not too far from the Cities.

I loved my time in Minnesota, lived there for four years. I don't know if I could take the humidity there now (even though I grew up in coastal GA). I was back in Iowa recently for a regatta and the humidity about killed me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Aug 30 2007, 07:27 PM) [snapback]504674[/snapback]</div>

My boss got his degree in geology. I'm going to take that groaner of a pun, and hand it to him :lol:

I spent 25 years in Minnesota (born a California girl)... and if I never see it again, that's fine... Washington state suits me pretty well