tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599595970993260607.post795592165925558769..comments2023-04-05T09:15:07.487-04:00Comments on Eco-Ranch in the Midwest: Reducing home energy use 101DeniseThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199940407647442813noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599595970993260607.post-46297534120441940402009-01-17T23:15:00.000-05:002009-01-17T23:15:00.000-05:00I realized our furnace was using a lot more than i...I realized our furnace was using a lot more than it was supposed to be using. <BR/><BR/>We had it repaired today. apparently there was a disconnect between the thermostat and the furnace, which meant the furnace was running all the time, even though the house was freezing. <BR/><BR/>Now that that's fixed, I notice the furnace actually cycles off. This should shave a big chunk off of the electric bill. <BR/><BR/>Apparently, it's been malfunctioning for the last year. We only realized it because we are having 20 below weather right now.DeniseThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10199940407647442813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599595970993260607.post-82270460096100572872009-01-17T15:03:00.000-05:002009-01-17T15:03:00.000-05:00Holy electric-powered cow, Batman! That ground-sou...Holy electric-powered cow, Batman! That ground-source heat pump is using a lot of electricity. We have gas heat (and of course a much milder climate), but last month's PG&E bill showed us using 316 Kwh (for a 32 day billing period).<BR/><BR/>We've got a hot tub, too, but it hasn't been running in a while. It probably won't until I find some sort of solar-powered heater (hot water + photovoltaics for the pump).<BR/><BR/>If you haven't already, you might buy or borrow a Kill-a-watt to figure out which appliances, etc. are using how much electricity, and how much vampire power (i.e., power when turned off) they're using, too.<BR/><BR/>Re: the cat door, I think you'll have to do a double door to get any sort of efficiency. One door through the wall, then a little kitty foyer, then another door. If there's any sort of air pressure difference, even that may get blown open one way or the other, though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08542931247957198888noreply@blogger.com