[horselover]

That's the way it should be shadowbot. That would be common sense, but I guess some builders don't care.

As for the gas fireplace, I was told the same thing a few weeks ago when we went to look at a house that had one. We never got that house, but we got this one, so we have to watch our energy consumption.

The new house, as some of you saw in the link, is a 2 storey house, complete with basement. There is central air, and I don't plan on using that too much in the summer. We can still rely on fans, but we're working nights, so we can turn the controls down quite a bit. The same for heating in the winter. The house was cold when we went to see it the other day, but it's empty and no reason to heat an empty house.

So we have ideas on how to save on bills, so I'm not worried about the coming year's electricity bills.

[peachy]

Instead of ironing, I use a water spritzer and spray my item of clothing. Then I just leave it hanging. By the next morning, it's totally presentable. A LOT less work and less energy used! Honestly, I think it's because I'm just plain lazy.

[workinman]

if u live in an old house with older drafty windows, taping plastic on them is a must.. i can't believe how much this helps by stopping the cold air from leaking in..

[Simon47]

crockpots, newfoundland boiled dinner, hearty soups for meals boiled or broiled you can cook at low power. steaming is good because you can stack cookware and cook several items together. don't do over loads in the laundry for efficient operation or wash in hot water or have the hot water tank heating or cook using electric during peak hours(good luck on that one all two worker families working 9 to 5). It takes a lot of adjustment to save electricity by nickels and dimes. It's a long term return and we're going for a cumulative community effect anyway so every nickel saved is ..a nickel that you didn't spend to consume. unfortunately, the energy won't go unused in any case.

I am not surprised that so many just consider it a pain in the butt and all the fun stuff these days takes hydro and alot comes in batteries so chargers make a lot of sense. I've literally saved thousands on batteries since I use a gps and digital cam for my field work. All day use I go through 6 batteries a day because you might get half a day more on a factory charge or more if you are lucky to get fresh batteries.

For those who can afford to, it serves to shop around for some nickels and dimes. combination furnaces and multiple fuel or alternative energy allows some flexibility in shopping for energy. If electric is high and oil is down buy oil or gas of maybe hydro is cheaper but Ngas may be a better buy that month. Fill up at market lows. If you live in the city i don't imagine many use wood for primary heat but combination wood fuelled cooking/heating stoves are neat. in the winter. I imagine too that wood isn't cheap in the GTA but it works for country folk. the nickels you save could get you some solar panels if you have the light.

Sim

[coco_mees]

There are really easy ways to try to reduce waste if not energy. Bring your own plastic bags when you shop. You're going to have to carry bags anyway, might as well REUSEthe big pile you have accumulated at home.

Superstore has a really good policy (not to neglect their labour problems) in that they charge customers 10 cents per bag they use for their purchases if they don't bring their own. EVERY BUSINESS SHOULD DO THIS. My dad is not at all environmental but he doesn't want to pay 10 cents per bag so he brings his own.

I think it's an easy way and for those friends and family that won't think you're weird, tell them to try to do it too.

[peachy]

My parents are the same way coco! It's so funny how if you put a charge or give an incentive (returning bottles for a deposit), somehow people get on the bandwagon REAL fast. Hey, whatever it takes!

[ALF]

Water has a very unique characteristic as it goes from liquid to steam. It takes something like 7 more times of heat to evaporate than to rise 1 degree under the evap temp. Like evaporating sweat takes away heat, the old swamp coolers were built into the upper part of a building and water evaporating in the heat (of higher in the building) carried away heat with it.Thus trays of water near the vents in a roof would act as a heat transfer mechanism that would draw in new air, if this air was geothermally controlled it could be drawing in cooler air as well. An AC blueprint- sorta.

[Redofthelost]

When I drive I try to step on the gas pedal as little as possible, especially while going downhill (though without going too far under the speed limit). I drive a van with mpg of 20miles/gallon and I spend about 40 dollars a month on gas. I'm not sure how much it saves, but every bit counts! (When traveling to closer destinations I ride my bike).

[HazelNut]

Here's an easy one. Take a travel cup with you when you buy a coffee/tea; one less styrafoam cup in landfill.

[sophieuliano]

Does anyone have any usual or unusual tips for home insulation. I use weather -stripping that always seems to peel off after a few months. Can anyone suggest a "green" weather-stripping or insulation product?

Is it absolutely nescessary to have a fan at all?