Comments on: Pyramid of Conservation

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:10:00 +0000

There’s probably a break point where this makes sense, like for a family of 4 paying X dollars for gas who will stay in their house for 5 years or something.

You could probably get additional savings if you use most of your hot water during one part of the day, like for morning showers. That way, you’re reheating when there’s continual demand.

If you put the hot water heater on a timer and let it cool off during the day when no one is home, I’ll bet you could save even more!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:36:14 +0000

I just found this web site that says the systems are $300-500. I don’t know if that included installation, but I bet it doesn’t. I didn’t look any further than this.

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13040

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:25:01 +0000

Well, if we’re going to go ahead and re-arrange the pyramid, I’d probably move appliances up. You don’t just go replacing your refrigerator because you’re going to save 40 kWh over the course of a year. I think the tube of caulk makes much more sense.

Have you found a source for the drain heat recovery systems? I don’t have a sense for what they cost.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:23:05 +0000

One more comment. I would have put air sealing lower on the pyramid. Preventing air infiltration into a home one of the easiest, cheapest, and most impactful things one can do. A tube of caulk and/or spray foam costs what, 2 bucks?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:19:55 +0000

Drain water heat recovery – for an engineer (like me), this is an obvious solution. We do this in manufacturing facilities all the time to save energy. But, I didn’t know such inexpensive units were made for home use. Exciting! If only I could install it myself…