|
Electricity Conservation |
| See also these pages:
Conservation ->
PC...,
Conservation -> Appliances ...,
Conservation
-> Phantoms ...
Half Projects ... |
The sections listed to the left have a lot of good information on techniques
and products for dramatically reducing electricity use. |
Thermal Shades
Be a bit wary of claimed R value ratings, which are not not
standardized -- look/ask for independent test data.
The R values quoted appear to usually include the existing double pane
window at R1.8 plus the new shade.
Also look in the
Conservation section for DIY window treatments -- nice projects.
|
| Cellular Shades
http://symphonyshades.com/overview_products.html
|
 One
maker of cellular shades. Many, many manufacturers of these products.
Note the "Energy Track" that they offer. |
| Window Quilts
http://1windowquilts.com/rvalue.html
|
 One
maker of high R value window quilts. Many other makers out there.If
you find these a bit pricy -- you might want to look at the Energy Track
shades above, or the DIY
versions of window quilts as alternatives. |
|
Insulation -- including pipe
insulation |
| Cellulose, Fiberglass, Polystyrene,
Polyisocyanurate, ... |
These common types of insulation should be available at your local lumber or
hardware:
Loose fill cellulose for ceilings or walls
Loose fill fiberglass for ceilings or walls
Fiberglass bats for ceilings or walls
Polystyrene rigid foam board -- expanded and extruded
Polyisocyanurate rigid foam board
|
| ParPAC Cellulose Insulation System
http://www.parpac.com/index.html
|
One cellulose insulation system -- among many. |
| Armaflex Pipe Insulation
http://www.armacell.com
|
 Pipe
insulation to insulate collector supply and return pipes etc. |
| Peel & Seal Aluminum
http://www.mfmbp.com/ccp51/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi |
This is 45 mil aluminum sheet with a self stick layer on one side. Can
be used for weatherproofing outside pipe insulation.
Example... |
| Insulation for Buried Pipes |
 Insulation
for underground pipes that carry heated fluid can be hard to find at a
reasonable price. This product uses Styrofoam blocks pipe openings
molded in. It comes in 4 ft lengths, works for 3/4 or 1 inc PEX, and
costs about $1.50 per ft. If you think this might work for you, you
can get more info by emailing Greg at:
century@CCRTC.com |
| Insulated PEX pipe
http://www.wdheat.com/pipe.htm
|
 Pre-Insulated
1 inch PEX tubing.
About $6 per ft.
Note that this system allows heat transfer between the supply and return
line. |
|
A DIY pipe
insulation scheme ... |
|
| DIY Foam Insulation Kits
http://www.tigerfoam.com/products.php
BetterFoam
http://www.betterfoam.com/
Versi-Foam
http://www.rhhfoamsystems.com/
Touch n Seal
http://www.touch-n-seal.com/twocomp_kits.htm
|
 Foam
in place polyurethane insulation kitsAppears to cost about $3.50 per sqft
for 3.5 inch deep (stud) cavity.
The cost of these products is high -- you may find a contractor to do the
job for about the same price, or substitute a lower cost insulation? |
| CorBond Polyurethane Insulation
http://www.corbond.com/
|
Corbond is an example of a closed cell polyurethane foam in place insulation
that provides R6.6 per inch and also prevents air infiltration and is a
moisture barrier.
Some useful (if biased) technical information on their site.
One of many suppliers. |
| Earthfoam
www.earthfoamusa.com/technicaldata.html
|
Earthfoam is a closed cell polyurethane foam in place insulation.
R values ranging from R3.8 per inch up to R6.5 per inch depending on the
foam density.
Closed cell foams block air infiltration and are vapor barriers, and tend to
glue the structure together.
One of many suppliers. |
|
Water Heaters if you can't do a solar water heater,
consider a more efficient conventional water heater |
| WAM Home Center
www.wamhomecenter.com
|
 Good
prices on tankless water heaters and other HVAC stuff.I ordered a
tankless water heater from these folks and got good tech support and fast
shipping. |
|
Heat Pump Water Heaters |
|
Heating Stuff
HeatingStuffLLC.com
|
 This new company has a large number of "new - old stock" heat pump water heaters and low prices. A chance to pick up a HPWP for about $300.
"Heating Stuff provides new old stock and remanufactured heat pumps and our experience in alternative energy, HVAC and electronics to help you save money by making your hot water systems more efficient."
|
|
Grey Water Heat Recovery |
| GFX Technology
http://www.gfxtechnology.com/ |
 GFX greywater heat exchangers. |
|
Water Conservation |
| See
the Water Conservation section for suppliers in this area .. |
Rain harvesting, grey water recovery, efficient toilets, ... |
|
Efficient Lighting |
See these sections:
Efficient and Solar Lighting
...,
Conservation
-> Lighting ... |
See the sections to the left for products and techniques to use solar day
lighting, and for efficient lighting products. |
| Outdoor Solar Lights
NovaLight Solar Sign & Flag Light
Solar Illuminations
http://www.solarilluminations.com/
|
 60
watt output solar light -- meant for flag lighting, but might be good where
more light is needed than the small solar path lights give?The same
outfit has some other solar spot light choices in their online catalog.
 Solar
Illuminations -- a pretty large selection of solar outdoor lights.
|
