Questions tagged [energy-efficiency]

Questions about ways to measure and improve the ability to get useful work out of devices that consume energy. This includes coal, oil and gas as well as electricity.

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38 votes
8 answers
10k views

How best can I discover what is up with my electrical bill?

This might be subjective, I don't know. However, it's a serious problem for me. My electrical bill is outrageous. It's three times as large as my next-door neighbor, and four or five times the size of ...
moswald's user avatar
  • 523
6 votes
3 answers
8k views

Why does using a dimmer with this ceiling fan and lights cause energy saving bulbs to flicker?

At a hotel I manage we purchased 34 ceiling fans with two integrated light sockets that operate on a dimmer all controlled by a remote control. Obviously using a dimmer with fluorescent bulbs won't ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 173
13 votes
7 answers
48k views

Can I save energy costs by turning off the refrigerator for 1-2 hours every day?

Now that I'm looking into home automation, I'm thinking about automatically cutting off the fridge power from 3am ~ 5am. Given that modern refrigerators are well insulated, it should be able to ...
Level1Coder's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
280 views

Insulate my windows with fiberglass?

I have some windows that I want to insulate at night during the winter. I have energy star windows, thermal drapes, and cellular blinds and those plastic window film kit things, but I want to reduce ...
capet's user avatar
  • 471
17 votes
4 answers
3k views

Which water heater types do you recommend?

I would like to upgrade my current water heater with one that Is able to produce/store more heated water so I won't run out Energy efficient Inexpensive What are the advantages/disadvantages to each ...
Joe Phillips's user avatar
  • 2,266
15 votes
4 answers
15k views

Is there a device that will allow a bathroom fan to run for 5 minutes after it is switched off?

There is one switch that controls the lights and fan in the bathroom. Users turn the light/fan on when they enter, and off when they leave. I'd like for the bathroom fan to run for a time after they ...
Adam Davis's user avatar
  • 3,333
11 votes
16 answers
90k views

Would putting a sprinkler on my roof help cool my home?

Anyone ever put a sprinkler on your roof to help out your A/C on unusually hot days? Just wondering if it helps.
Greg Kurts's user avatar
5 votes
8 answers
21k views

Will switching to LED lightbulbs make a significant difference in my electric bill?

I asked Reliance Controls about a THP103 meter that I was having trouble with. Turns out that it's not a true RMS meter and thus is unable to give you accurate readings on a CFL or LED installation. ...
Lionel Morrison's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

What type of wiring should bedroom overhead lighting have?

On the phone with a friend in Cali this morning. He said that some municipalities are requiring /4 (12-3 or 14-3 romex) wiring for all new construction or rewiring for overhead lighting components. ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 48.2k
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

How do I prevent window drafts?

I live in Florida. I have noticed that in the Winter it seems that the cold air leaks through the windows and into the rooms. This, of course, raises my energy bill for heating (yes we have to turn on ...
Engineer2021's user avatar
  • 3,295
1 vote
3 answers
625 views

Why is turning down the heat during day and night considered more efficient?

I just want to point out right away that I am not sure if this stack exchange is the most appropriate for this question - perhaps Stack exchange Chemistry or Physics would be more suitable? My ...
Gaboik1's user avatar
  • 121
28 votes
13 answers
7k views

Locating source of excessive energy use

Background Info: My house is all electric. Last month when I got my electric bill, I flipped. It was triple that of any month prior. Now I know the cold (heating) can affect this so I decided to ...
hack3rfx's user avatar
  • 1,252
25 votes
13 answers
6k views

Do smart or programmable thermostats actually save money?

I am looking at replacing all the thermostats in my house. I have hot water baseboard heat and forced air A/C. Each room's baseboard heat is controlled by a thermostat in that room. I tend to prefer ...
JoshuaD's user avatar
  • 447
14 votes
3 answers
12k views

Are tankless water heaters worth it in cold climates?

I was thinking of switching over to a tankless water heater. A friend of mine said they are not good in colder climates since the water coming in is colder and takes longer to heat. Is this a valid ...
Tester101's user avatar
  • 132k
10 votes
8 answers
6k views

How can I audit my furnace?

I want to keep track of when my furnace is on, with an eye to reducing how much energy I use to heat my house. I could compare it with weather data (temperature, wind speed, precipitation). I could ...
Jay Bazuzi's user avatar
  • 11.7k
8 votes
3 answers
5k views

Why are furnace/central AC blowers so inefficient?

I can buy a ceiling fan from Home Depot capable of moving 5,000 CFM of air for about $50, and it uses a mere 50-60 watts while doing it. By contrast, most furnaces seem to have blowers that operate in ...
iLikeDirt's user avatar
  • 12.6k
6 votes
1 answer
486 views

How do the old and new (post-2021) EU energy labels for LED light bulbs compare?

One of my light bulbs recently failed, for the first time in a few years, and I had to go buy a replacement. Usually I try to look for the ones with the best EU energy label rating, since not only do ...
Ilmari Karonen's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

Are radiator reflectors as effective as claimed?

I recently completed a survey to determine the energy efficiency of my home. The results weren't great but got me thinking about the quick and affordable things I could do to improve things and ...
cchana's user avatar
  • 225
5 votes
1 answer
4k views

Dryer Venting Woes - what to do?

I can certainly collect some pictures for this but I'm hoping on sound engineering & design principles I'll get a recommendation worthy of executing to that meets code. I have a vented clothes ...
noybman's user avatar
  • 2,025
5 votes
4 answers
1k views

How can I improve efficiency of my home? Geothermal not saving money

I've been getting very high electric bills since moving in last August. My winter months have averaged $350/mo and so far this spring has been the same. I live alone, work 8 hours a day, do 2 loads of ...
user1052448's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
78k views

Does running a dehumidifier with an AC unit save money?

I've done as much research as i can an every site i hit seems to have a different story on my question: "Will a dehumidifier save energy while running your AC through the summer"? The ones that say "...
coding4fun's user avatar
5 votes
7 answers
13k views

Air sealing a whole house fan

I have a whole house fan installed in my house from the previous owners. I love the fan, as it lets me cool down the house quickly in the evening -- or after I fill the house with smoke from ...
David Pfeffer's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
139 views

What are my options for heating an energy efficient home with low heating needs?

I have a super insulated, envelope home. I have R-88 in the ceiling and R-44 in the walls. Living in Northern WI I do have heating requirements, but nowhere near the output of the 90,000 BTU furnace ...
R Syk's user avatar
  • 41
3 votes
3 answers
943 views

Shading windows from outside (awnings, shutters, etc) to keep house from overheating in summer

The back of my house faces west, and during July and August, the sun hits it directly in the afternoon through evening. On a warm day, this can cause the house to heat up quite a bit, so I'm making ...
rsgoheen's user avatar
  • 356
3 votes
1 answer
5k views

Is a roof sprinker a good idea?

I live in an area where temperatures often reach 95°F (35°C). I have attic fans and soffet vents and radiant barrier. Is it worth adding a roof sprinkler? I have read about it working wonders ...
Dale's user avatar
  • 187
3 votes
6 answers
26k views

My fridge runs way too much - is this because it doesn't seem to be level?

My refrigerator runs way too much - is this because it doesn't seem to be level? It doesn't seem to be any other reason.
user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
8k views

Is a space heater or my window heating unit more energy efficient?

My roommate and I have noticed that, since our apartment faces south and we live right by the Hudson, our apartment is starting to be quite chilly in the evenings, and oftentimes is cooler inside than ...
Aarthi's user avatar
  • 1,143
1 vote
4 answers
206 views

Would triple pane give me better results than double pane in a key location (bathroom)?

I am ordering replacement windows. I'm going to go with double-hung in the bedrooms and bathroom, and casement above the kitchen sink. Double-hung vinyl with added foam insulation in the frames. ...
aparente001's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
879 views

How do you determine how much electricity is used by a device?

How does one go about determining how much electricity is used for a particular device? Where can I find the wattage ratings, and how do I calculate the cost based on my current electricity rates ...
TCL's user avatar
  • 253
1 vote
3 answers
141 views

Insulation type to use on a hinged metal attic door

In this question, I asked about the best type of insulation to use on a hinged metal attic door, when one is also concerned about heat entering around the edges of the door when closed. The answer I ...
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
103 views

What is the best type of insulation to use on a hinged metal attic door?

What is the best type of insulation to use on a hinged metal attic door (no integrated ladder)? Primarily concerned about heat entry through the door when closed. Also concerned about heat entry ...
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
0 votes
5 answers
80k views

Unplugging vs running an empty refrigerator

We have a community Pea Patch that has 2 older refrigerators that are empty 5 days a week and used to store produce on 2 of those days. Does it take less energy to leave them running for those 5 days,...
user23154's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
621 views

How would I set the temperature of my water heater so that it is the most energy efficient?

We have a tankless water heater. I want to set the temperature so that it is the most energy efficient. Should I set the temperature of the water so that it is just hot enough for taking a shower? I ...
milesmeow's user avatar
  • 5,020
0 votes
1 answer
126 views

To maximize heat in winter, should I remove my window quilt during the day?

Let's say it's -5 deg C outside and I'm inside a building with a moderately efficient window and a window quilt. Will I stay warmer if I take the window quilt down during the day and put it back up at ...
capet's user avatar
  • 471