I'm trying to save some money this year (and be more environmentally conscious in the process). I've changed my air filters, put in some new efficient light bulbs (as the old ones burn out), and installed a programmable thermostat. Any other ideas on some easy green projects I could do around the house?
Well, for starters think about your heating. It is forced air isn't it? And to ‘save energy’ you were told to run ceiling fans in the winter, right? Kinda silly isn't it? Install DIY radiant floor heating and you will be surprised how heating just a little bit but over large sufaces v.s. blowing hot air in one or two spots. http://www.ideal-heating.com/article.php?a=54
Posts: 8 | Location: NJ | Registered: 11 October 2005
Running ceiling fans in the winter is not silly. Heat rises, and is usually not provided evenly in the first place, and so we get hot spots and cold spots. Particularly with higher ceilings we spend an awful lot of money heating the ceiling while it's still cold on the floor. A ceiling fan can destratify and recirculate heat making your HVAC system a great deal more effective. More detailed information is available here:
I've found so many little green ways to save ** and enery in my house. Weatherproofing (caulking very cheap and saves **$) my windows and doors, using fluorescent lighting, low flow water savers on all my faucets(most toilets already are now), insulation in my attic and under my floor boards and even just using blinds and drapes to keep the heat and or air from escaping.
While I'm sure they meant well Ceilingfanrepair posted a common mistake most people make, heat does not rise, heat will flow just as fast down or sideways as it wil up, heat like water seeks its own level meaning it will flow to the coolest place next to it the fastest in an attempt to equalize things.People think heat rises because the air is in fact warmer higher up by the ceiling, however the reason for that is warmer air is less dense and it simply floats on top of cooler/denser air. You may in fact save more by insulating the floors than the ceiling. The object is to slow the loss of heat as much as possible, insulation is rated with an "R" value which stands for resistance, the inverse [opposite]of that is the "U" value, that is the ability of heat to flow and that is really the factor you need to be concerned with. You would be surprised at the places where you actually loose heat. A complete energy survey will tell you what you need to know, will let you calculate the pay back periods on various systems. One simple system people don't typically look at is an air to air heat exchanger, you can look that up, google it, since there is limited room here. The other things you must pay very close attention to is air changes [typically rated in changes per hour], sealing in the heat is one thing but too much is really unhealthy, there is balance point and each house has its own.
Saving energy, still the best bang for the buck is insulation, insulation, insulation. With the new technology insulation products from Europe like SF19 Superfoil Quilt now finding thier way into Canada, we ought to be adopting them too. Easy to fit and use in new and retrofit, and capable of doubling your R value with just 38mm of depth. Heating ad cooling are stil the biggest users of energy and where most improvments can be made.
Posts: 1 | Location: Calgary | Registered: 16 February 2007
How about a ceiling fan that heats and cools! The Reiker Room Conditioner revolutionizes the way you heat and cool your living space. In the winter it is a remote controlled space heater. It filters, then heats a room evenly, top to bottom. Plus it still cools like a ceiling fan all summer long. Because the Reiker ceiling fan heater is super efficient, costing only pennies to run compared to other room heating methods, you’ll pay less to heat your home or office!
Save even more on your heating bills with zone heating. Replace your current ceiling fans with Reiker ceiling fan heaters throughout your home or office and enjoy zone heater efficiency and savings. Choose a lower temperature for rooms you won’t be using, lowering your heating bills. Be comfortable all year long with the only remote controlled ceiling fan.
Find your perfect temperature from the comfort of your sofa, desk, anywhere! You control the heating function, ceiling fan function and lighting fixture with the touch of a button on the included programmable remote control. Control each ceiling fan heater from one remote. Installing your ceiling fan heater is a snap. Each ceiling fan heater comes with all the hardware you’ll need to quickly and easily install your new space heater / ceiling fan. Choose either a ceiling mount or use the included 4 or 6 inch downrods for high or cathedral ceilings. Twelve (12) inch, 18 inch and 24 inch downrods are also available.
An attractive room heating alternative. The Reiker ceiling fan heater, hand-painted in Swiss Gold with five 54-inch diameter wooden ceiling fan blades (Swiss Gold on one side and White on the other), fits in with any decor. Enjoy 150-watts of illumination from the energy efficient light kit, powered by a single 30-watt fluorescent light circle, and covered by a beautiful marbled glass dome.
Superior design delivers highly energy efficient one room heating or home heating system. The design of this ceiling mounted heater puts the wasted warm air at your ceiling to work, pushing it down toward the floor. It then circulates the air, filtering, heating and reheating it, distributing it evenly around the room. Use the remote control ceiling fan as an efficient room heating device, or place a ceiling mounted heater in each room of your living space and enjoy a comfortable home heating system with the energy efficiency of zone heating. Ceiling fan blade module maintains a consistent temperature, top to bottom.
No other home heating system maintains a consistent temperature from ceiling to floor like the Reiker remote control ceiling fan. It distributes the heated air throughout the room with no harsh heat or drafts, creating uniform temperatures throughout. It also cools during the summer just like a ceiling fan.
Find your perfect temperature with the easy to use remote control. Using the Reiker remote control ceiling fan as a room heater is as simple as 1-2-3. 1. Push the power button. 2. Push the heat button. 3. Select your exact desired temperature. Your ceiling mounted heater immediately starts making you more comfortable as a room heater, or as a home heating system when multiple units are used. To cool your room, home or office, simply choose high, medium or low speed from the ceiling fan function.Luminous 150-watts of light from just 30 watts of energy!
The Reiker ceiling fan provides 150-watts of brilliant illumination while using only 30 watts of energy. It’s a major energy saver! Take control of your energy bills year round while enjoying comfort you never thought possible: even, warm temperatures throughout the room in the winter and cooling breezes during the summer. Reiker Ceiling Fan
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