Re: Energy Discussion Part 1


"nick c" <n-chen@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:KrCdnXhRTcsFeMLeRVn-jQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Amused wrote:
>> With winter fast approaching, and natural gas prices on the rise, I
>> thought I'd just throw out some "tips" for discussion.
>>
>> For instance. I am unconvinced that closing off un-used rooms in single
>> story houses results in any significant energy savings. In very cold
>> weather, if the heat vents to a room are closed off, it seems like this
>> should reduce heating requirements, however (!) it must be remembered
>> that interior walls of homes are almost never insulated. The room in
>> question, will surely start to cool, and as it cools, the interior walls
>> of rooms adjacent to the isolated room, will start to cool down too.
>>
>> While the cooling process will surely be moderated, (a few hours in very
>> cold weather), very quickly, I would guess that the total BTU requirement
>> would stabilize.
>>
>> I would suggest another approach.
>>
>> Even with some hyper-insulated modern windows, (which most people do not
>> have), almost invariably the largest heat loss in most homes, is right
>> through the windows. If a room is un-used, rather than closing it off, I
>> would suggest another approach. I'd close off the windows.
>>
>> At any home supply store, sheets of insulating foam, usually about 1"
>> thick can be purchased for a few dollars. (These are not the Styrofoam
>> of beer coolers, but a very substantial closed cell formulation). These
>> sheets can be cut with a serrated kitchen knife. I would suggest cutting
>> sheets to fit inside window openings and simply wedging in place. While
>> you would be sacrificing daylight into the room, I would guess that the
>> total energy requirement reduction would be noticeable, depending on how
>> many rooms are equipped with the "shudders".
>>
>> In fact, I'd suggest considering this for any room, where light is not an
>> issue. For instance, most bedrooms.
>>
>> Any flaws in my logic...or physics?
>>
>> James...
>>
>> Cravat: Fire is always a consideration. While these sheets can be
>> removed almost instantly, so blocked egress is not a consideration, the
>> sheets release toxic fumes if they are burnt. (Most stuff in a modern
>> home, release such fumes, anyway). Functioning smoke alarms, IN EVERY
>> ROOM, is probably a reasonable idea.
>
> A cold adjacent room will not make an adjacent heated room cold as long
> as the heated room remains heated. The air pocket between the walls will
> act as a temperature dampener, depending upon how well the walls have been
> constructed. Reducing drafts will greatly contain the heat in a room or
> throughout a home. Heat loss in a room mostly occurs through the ceiling
> (if the ceiling is uninsulated). Windows and doors contribute to heat
> loss, however, coldness emanating through windows can be greatly minimized
> by the drawing of window drapes and doors can be weather sealed.
>
> Throughout the Northeast, homes and apartments had heating radiators and
> vents installed near windows to reduce the heat loss effect. Not done in
> Kansas?
>
> However, if all rooms are on an even level, don't attempt closing off all
> the rooms because closing them off will affect the heated air thermals
> that will be moving throughout the home. At times, depending upon the size
> of rooms, fans pointed at ceilings will circulate the rising heated air in
> a room and may contribute to evenly heating a home.

I think my home is about as well insulated as possible: double windows,
insulation in all outer walls, and thick, THICK insulation in attic. I am
using plugs on all unused outlets in outer walls (very few unused ones), and
I pull the drapes at night. In addition, my central ceiling fan (midway
point between living room, entryway, kitchen and central hall) is
reversible. In the summer, it pulls hot air up. By reversing its
direction, it pulls more heated air down. I have it set on low. Otherwise
it creates a breeze and, with setting the thermostat at 64 degrees, I sure
don't want a breeze. <G>

Barbara


.

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