With the Grain » energy tips

How to Be Self-Sufficient at Home

Jenn Greenleaf — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:14:19 +0000

Let’s face it; being more self-sufficient should be touching most of our lives by now. However, taking this step is difficult for many. There are a number of ways to be more self-sufficient in our homes, and in an economy that’s struggling as ours is, it could help to explore and implement some or all of these strategies.

Here are some links to lead you:

Research this topic thoroughly before embarking upon costly home improvements or extensive DIY projects. Start small, and then work your way up. There may be grants available in your area, or low-interest home improvement loans geared toward projects such as these.

Conversations About Conservation

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:31:21 +0000

It is no mystery that everyone is trying to find new ways to be conservative with energy and heating. Lately, I have been stumbling across a ton of discussions focusing on questions about how to reduce electricity bills. Before, it seemed like everyone wanted to know how to reduce his or her heating bills. Now that so many people have gone out and purchased electric heaters, the question has changed to reducing electric bills.

It seems no one can win. Or, can they?

If you are facing high electric bills because you have had to add electric heat in order to reduce dependence on heating fuel, this is no doubt weighing heavily on your mind. Here are some links to lead you:

Consider contacting your electric company to perform an energy audit on your home. This will increase the efficiency, as well as reduce your bills. Heating and cooling our homes is expensive, so every little bit helps!

Clothes Dryer: Is it Time For an Update?

Jenn Greenleaf — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:04:00 +0000

How old is your laundry dryer? Are you aware of how much energy your dryer uses on a monthly basis?

An electric dryer tends to suck up a lot of energy usage each month, particularly those that are older models. Older models, in most cases, need repairs and more maintenance. Here is an article providing more information about how much energy electric clothes dryers use:

How Much Energy Does an Electric Clothes Dryer Use?

This is a very informative article about energy saving tips when choosing an electric dryer (and there’s also a good comparison between gas clothes dryers and electric clothes dryers): Clothes Dryers – Energy Choices at Home.

Saving money is on everyone’s minds these days, so why not take a harder look at what you can do to improve your home’s efficiency? This includes, of course, the appliances in your home. Take the time to complete these types of home improvements and you will not regret it once you start seeing a more budget friendly utility bill each month!

Types of Insulation

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Insulating is one home improvement project you do not want to put off. Proper insulation will aid in both the heating and the cooling of your home. With rising energy costs, the last thing you want to do is have the wrong or improper insulation in your home.

There a number of home insulation types to choose from. If you are unsure which is right, or how much you need for your home it is important to speak to a insulation contractor or a specialist at your local home improvement store.

Here are some links to get you started on your research:

For those DIY’ers who do not know their R-Value from their elbow, it is very important to read up on the types of insulations, why they are important, and which is right for your home. Walking into this situation without the proper information will only lead to more problems, higher home improvement costs, and frustrations for all who are involved. Do your homework!

Energy Conservation

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Conserving energy is on everyone’s minds as we approach the heating season, particularly for those who are not using wood or pellet burning stoves. How can we prevent the loss of energy as the costs continue to rise?

There are some excellent resources available in print, as well as online. Performing a simple search using your favorite search engine will lead to a wealth of general, as well as state specific help guides.

Here are some of the tips these guides are offering consumers:

From EfficiencyMaine.com: By turning down the thermostat by 1 degree F, you could save 25-30 gallons of heating oil per year. That’s up to 3% of an average homes yearly consumption of heating oil or between $79-$95 per year at the current average rate of heating oil ($3.17/gallon). Turn down your thermostat when the house is unoccupied, down to 55 degrees. It takes about 1 hour to heat average house to desired temperature and it is a common myth that turning the thermostat down makes you burn more heating oil in warming up the house again. During the day when you are at home, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees is a comfortable maximum temperature and at night around 60 degrees.
From Montana.edu: Lower the temperature of your water heater, and wrap it in an insulating blanket. While most heaters are set at 140 degrees F, 120 will do the trick, and you’ll cut your water-heating costs by up to 10 percent. A water heater jacket (available at hardware stores for $10 to $20) can save another four to nine percent. Just be sure not to block exhaust vents, air intakes and thermostat access panels. And, newer water heaters may not need an insulation wrap; check the manufacturer’s instructions.
From dom.com: Seal duct work. This is the number one way to conserve energy. Make sure that all ductwork is sealed at joints and intersections with duct sealer or silicone caulk. Otherwise, supply ductwork can leak heated air into the attic or crawl space, and outside air can be drawn into the return ductwork, increasing costs and reducing comfort dramatically. Ducts can be sealed using foil-backed tape or silicon caulking.

What type of energy conservation advice does your state provide its residents? Are there pamphlets or booklets available upon request? Can you print material found on websites? Taking just a few minutes to answer these questions will save you a lot of money in the coming months. Take the time to do your research, and then perform the necessary home improvements to create an energy efficient and cost effective living space.