Green

Energy Saving ROI’s

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Nest Thermostat
$249 at Amazon

A couple of weeks ago I discussed the Nest Thermostat.  (See that article here.)  One of the questions I have when I see something like this is whether there is return on investment (ROI) or in the case of green technology, is it Green That Saves Green?

According to Remodeling Magazine a programmable thermostat has a payoff in 1-10 years depending on the thermostat installed and the situation in which it will be used.  I’ve included some bare bones excerpts here, but for the complete article, check out page 40 in the November 2012 issue of Remodeling Magazine here.

Programmable Thermostat – Materials: $50-$350, Labor: 1-3 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 10yr

Low Flow Faucets & Fixtures – Materials: $1-$500+, Labor: 15 min – 4 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 5yr

Tankless Water Heater – Materials: $1,500-$3.500, Labor: 4-8 hr, Estimated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

Air Sealing – Materials: $50-$6,000, Labor: 4-40 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 8yr

Insulation – Materials: $200-$10,000, Labor: 4-100 hrs, Estmated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

On Demand Circulation Pump – Materials: $50-$150, Labor: 4-6hrs, Estimated ROI: 1yr – 2yr+

* The labor estimates above do not include travel time.

Nest Thermostat

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It’s pretty well known that an easy way to save energy (and money!) is to turn your thermostat down.  To do this without being there, the choice has always been the programmable thermostat.  These come in several varieties with the ultimate being a seven day programmable stat which allowed you to program different settings for weekdays and weekends.  The problem has always been the programming.  Even on the best of these units, it wasn’t easy.

The Nest Thermostat has eliminated the programming part of this equation by introducing a learning mode.  Yes, it saves time and money by learning your household patterns and programming itself.

On top of the self-programming features, if you have a wireless network, the device can be accessed from the web through your computer or smart phone.  Forgot to set it to vacation mode before you hit the road?  No problem.  Making a quick trip up to the cottage and want it warmed up or cooled off before you get there?  Easy!  Wake up in the middle of the night with that bad feeling about pipes freezing at the cottage?  Log on and check it out!

Now in it’s second generation, the Nest thermostat is sleek and stylish.  It doesn’t look like your typical thermostat and it catches your eye with it’s cobalt blue face and reflective metal surround.  The second generation has added more compatibility with different types of heating and cooling systems, it has reduced the depth of its profile and it is still available for $249 at Amazon.com  Not exactly a cheap device, but it does a lot!

Lennox offers their Icomfort Wi-Fi touchscreen thermostat which takes advantage of remote monitoring as well.  It provides the accessibility, but not the learning functions or the accessibility to as many other heating and cooling systems available with the Nest.  It’s not quite as stylish in my opinion.  It is also more expensive, listed at $299 at Bonanza.com

In either case, in the long run, I think this is Green That Saves Green.  If you aren’t using a programmable thermostat and by starting save $20 per month, you will have it paid off in a couple of years.  From there on it is money back in your pocket.

 

Historic Window Follow-up

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It seems appropriate that I give a little rebuttal to the story I reprinted last week on historic windows (here).  I’m a supporter of Indiana Landmarks.  I can’t argue that preserving old windows is a green solution.  Keeping them out of landfills is just one example of this.  Unfortunately there are other issues.

It’s worth noting that Daniel tested old windows with storm windows installed.  Many older windows don’t have storm windows and some that do have storm windows that fit poorly.  It’s also worth noting that he was testing glass to glass.  I think he’s right that the extra air space between the inside window glass and the storm window glass made a difference.  Most of the new window manufacturers will tell you the same thing.

But a window is an assembly, not just the glass.  Daniel might have gotten different results if he had tested around the perimeter.  New windows have thermal blocks to prevent heat transfer which old windows do not.  He might have gotten different results if he had tested around the outside of the trim.  New windows don’t have ballasts or their associated cavities in the walls.  When we install new windows we fill those voids with insulation which is nearly impossible to do with a window in place in a finished wall.

And one more thing about storm windows…  They generally come down in the Spring and don’t go back up until Fall so we can enjoy the fresh air.  Heat transfer is just as important in the heat of the summer when the air conditioner is running.

Old Window with cracking Lead Paint

Another big issue with old windows is lead paint.  I attended a lead safety course and they emphasized that old windows with lead paint were a prime producer of lead dust.  The old double hung windows are often painted on the sides of the sash as well as in the window frame track.  Friction across these painted surfaces as the windows are raised and lowered produce lead dust which is easily inhaled, absorbed or ingested if it gets near food.  Stripping an old window such as the one in the picture to the right is a time consuming and expensive process, particularly when lead safety practices are observed.Window location is also important.  New building standards require tempered glass when glass is installed less than 18″ above the floor or adjacent to stairs.  Older windows are exempt from this requirement, but that doesn’t make the safety issue that caused the rule to be promulgated go away.

There is also the issue of seals.  We’ve all seen old double hung windows with foam stuffed into the joint between the sashes to prevent air infiltration.  New double hung windows have seals at those cross points.  Even with those, they can’t compare with new casement windows that have the locking mechanism that pulls the sash tight against the seal.

All in all, there are some benefits to salvaging old windows.  New windows never provide the same look or have the authentic trim.  Often it is cost prohibitive to install new windows with true divided lights.  There are many reasons to preserve historic windows.  It’s important to understand all the cons that go along with the pros though.

U-Socket

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The U-Socket from FastMac features built-in USB ports.  It is available in Decora style (shown to the right) and standard style.  With so many smart phones, iPhones, gaming devices and other items that charge from USB style adapters, you need a place to charge without having to search out your charger or having to turn on your computer.  U-Socket provides this.

U-Socket’s built-in smart sensor automatically detects required wattage and only outputs power when it’s needed and shuts off when it’s fully charged.  This makes it a green solution as most chargers continue to try and charge when the device is fully charged or even when the device has been disconnected.  Stoppng this kind of “Vampire Drain” is an easy energy saving solution.

We’re going to suggest this device for home office locations and for those counters in the kitchen or near the door where everything gets dropped when you enter your home. Personally, I’ve started using my phone as an alarm clock and the duplex I plug into isn’t conveniently accessible.  That means I don’t unplug the charger during tthe day.  This appears to be a great solution for this everyday problem.

For more about the costs of vampire drain and how to prevent it, check out the article at the Department of Energy site here.