Things to purchase for energy savings

[GlockSpock]

The compact flourscent lightbulbs burn out significantly faster than advertised.  They are also highly toxic and difficult to dispose of properly.  I think we will regret having these things in our landfills one day, which is where I suspect the majority of them wind up after burnout.   I think LED cluster lights will be the true way of the future. 

 

I am not saying to not use the things, I am just saying that one day we will regret having a few billion of them busted in our landfills.  

 

:confused: I bought LED's, not CFL's? 

[Jonnin]

:confused: I bought LED's, not CFL's? 

 

Oh, good :)   I must have misread it.  I do that a lot.

[Erik88]

I will be interested to see what my heating bill is this winter.  I have been absolutely stunned at how low my electric bill runs.  The highest my bill has ever been is $119.32, and the lowest was around $82.00.  Not bad for a 3500 square foot house.

 

That's hard to believe. My 1300 sq. foot house runs around $150 but we're in Florida and the house gets hammered all day by the sun. 

[tnguy]

The only thing to watch with LEDs is not to buy the ones "for decorative use". The light they put out is useless for general lighting.

 

I do have an LED spot I'm evaluating right now. Seems to be OK but a little pricey up-front.

Edited September 26, 2013 by tnguy

[GlockSpock]

I also ended up purchasing a 12 pack of air filters on Amazon. I admit, I'm they guy that goes 2-3 months between air filter changes on the HVAC because I forget about it. The good news is that 12 of them costed $18, and my Nest will remind me each month to replace the filter. From my research, a dirty air filter can increase your electric bill anywhere from 5%-15%.

 

Even if I only save 2% by changing the filter each month, based on $100 bill, I will net a few cents to dollars. Something to consider everyone!

[tnguy]

I also ended up purchasing a 12 pack of air filters on Amazon. I admit, I'm they guy that goes 2-3 months between air filter changes on the HVAC because I forget about it. The good news is that 12 of them costed $18, and my Nest will remind me each month to replace the filter. From my research, a dirty air filter can increase your electric bill anywhere from 5%-15%.

 

Even if I only save 2% by changing the filter each month, based on $100 bill, I will net a few cents to dollars. Something to consider everyone!

 

2-3 months? I'm more like years? When I opened the holder last time, I had to fight it off with a pointy stick.

 

It doesn't help much that the downstairs returns are decidedly non-standard.

[peejman]

2-3 months? I'm more like years? When I opened the holder last time, I had to fight it off with a pointy stick.

 

It doesn't help much that the downstairs returns are decidedly non-standard.

 

 

Using a quality pleated air filter with MERV rating of 7-12 can improve indoor air quality considerably.  Lower than 7 doesn't really do much, above 12 restricts airflow too much is systems not designed for that type of filter.

 

You can buy them in bulk (modest quantities) online.  http://www.filtersfast.com/Filtrete-Micro-Red-6Pack-Filter.asp

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I change filters monthly and also run several room-sized hepa air filters. With dogs (aka mobile hair factories) plus a floor return vent, I have to vacuum the filter weekly and change monthly or it would burn up the air handler motor.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Lester Weevils

[tnguy]

Unfortunately the downstairs returns are in the floor and, well, I'm sure they don't make em like that anymore. Replacing filters involves a session with the scissors.

 

It probably is about time though.

[Ray Z]

How about taking that hundred bucks and using it for a down payment on a pellet stove. Nobody has brought that up.