When the energy you want to save is your own . .
We're not about to give up all the modern comforts we've become so accustom to. We aren't going back to horse & buggy transportation or become the MadMax society. We're going to do things smarter than any generation before us and use automation, strategic uses of energy and add to our comforts while reducing the need for fossil fuels.
The first thing I chose to insulate was ourselves with wool socks and better winter clothing. We can now go out on sub-zero days comfortably and work in the woods or outbuildings. This thought was extented to the animals with insulating blankets but they still need to be kept out of the sleet, snow and winds.
As an added measure of warmth, we insulated some of the winter quilts with the thin "emergency" pocket "blankets" which help reflect heat back while we sleep. We still turn on the heating blanket before getting into bed for our own comfort but once warmed - the bed stays warm - sometimes through the day to the next night!
BUILDINGS: Being comfortable at home or work will have a new flavor too. If you have done a good job on insulating and sealing up your building, then one of the only options left to reduce your costs is: Space Heat. The Europeans are way ahead of the U.S. on this. If you can't use solar as your space heat source - try our alternate pick for space heat. Space heat has the added advantage of usually not using fans (more electrical use) to move the heat around.
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Homes: Keep the thermostat down at night and use electric blankets or a heat pad (available in dc too) can save 50% or more off your heating bill. If you keep you house below 50 F at night - put your clothes on the bed to warm up. We don't heat the house in the morning before everyone is off for the day since everyone is warm for hours after getting out of a warm bed.
We have a lot of glass facing south so we have insulating curtains to keep the heat in at night over winter and reflect heat during the hottest summer days.
Because we have an old farmhouse, we needed a way to insulate it without destroying the house. We found Hy Tech Paint Additives to be the fastest, least invasive way to add an insulating layer. It also helps sound-proof, adds some fire resistance and creates a hard shell over wood siding.
IF you are using cogeneration, you are getting a large portion of your hot water and ambient heat from the exhaust off your electric power generator. The heat off a small 3.5KWH generator is enough to raise the temperature of an average size house by 10 - 40 degrees (depending on time of year, climate and how often you run the generator) See the right-side links for cogenerators and parts if you are making your own. We preserve that heat as much as possible by insulating any outside exposed areas of piping.
Electric Use: If you haven't switched to more efficient lighting, tvs and computer monitors, this would be a good time to make the move. We also like the use of power strips to turn off everything in a room when empty.
Lawns: See Permaculture and NoMowGrass lawns. You can't beat a lawn & garden that not only looks good but gives back with out breaking your back!
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