Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

patricia92243

(12,969 posts)

40. Having lots of trees avaiable is only a tiny part of it. Chopping the trees down,

Sat Feb 18, 2023, 03:32 PM

Feb 2023

waiting for them to season enough to use as firewood, chop the limbs off, then chop into pieces that will fit into fireplace. Then, haul the wood into your house, then haul the ashes out when you are done. A LOT of work involved - and that is just one tree.

You need to be in very good physical condition to do all this and hope to stay that way for years to come.

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Looking for ways to lower my electric bill [View all] OnionPatch Feb 2023 OP

While they lived in Galena... ProudMNDemocrat Feb 2023 #1

Thanks. I'm thinking it might help some, at least. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #5

Look into a ductlesss mini split. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #2

Wow, I have never heard of these OnionPatch Feb 2023 #3

I hadn't either. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #10

Minisplits ar good now.. Think. Again. Jun 2023 #42

Oh, and I'm in Virginia. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #6

Hellhole TN here SheltieLover Feb 2023 #11

You're probably a bit further south OnionPatch Feb 2023 #13

Definitely do your homework. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #17

Thanks. I'm definitely going to look into this. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #20

Look at blocking off the main living area you most commonly use, too. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #21

Since your home is huge, you will need more than 1 indoor unit for sure. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #22

No, the living area isn't huge. It's about 1500 sq. ft. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #24

Well then, depending upon floor plan, you should be good! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #25

Is upstairs closed off? SheltieLover Feb 2023 #26

Yes. It's closed off. The door seems to keep the heat downstairs pretty well. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #31

Good! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #32

The best investment you could make is more insulation randr Feb 2023 #4

The house is brand new so windows and doors are good. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #8

Radiant heat foil barrier helped here significantly SheltieLover Feb 2023 #12

My attic is HUGE. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #15

I would think it would help some for heat as foil is double sided & SheltieLover Feb 2023 #18

Agree. Do the attic joists. As said above, make sure to leave breathing space under the sheathing 3Hotdogs Feb 2023 #23

Considerations bucolic_frolic Feb 2023 #7

Thanks! OnionPatch Feb 2023 #9

An old-style heatilator may be what you are looking for taxi Feb 2023 #14

Yes, something like this is sort of what I had in mind. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #16

Yup, an experienced mason would be able to look at your suggestions and fix you right up. taxi Feb 2023 #19

Invest in one of these... 2naSalit Feb 2023 #27

I don't know if I have the floor space. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #33

Someone who could... 2naSalit Feb 2023 #35

To repeat, attic insulation. We put on a reflective white metal cachukis Feb 2023 #28

My older stepson and his wife got a two story house House of Roberts Feb 2023 #29

Thanks. Luckily, I have wood drying now. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #39

Alladin lamps RicROC Feb 2023 #30

Why not look into a wood burning furnance? sinkingfeeling Feb 2023 #34

Well, I did a little. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #36

There are some that are inside in the $2500 to $3500 range. I'd rather have one outside. sinkingfeeling Feb 2023 #37

We have a very efficient wood stove with a catalytic converter. Fireplaces heat mainly by heat Martin68 Feb 2023 #38

Having lots of trees avaiable is only a tiny part of it. Chopping the trees down, patricia92243 Feb 2023 #40

This is all true. OnionPatch Feb 2023 #41

You don't have to change over electric appliances with solar womanofthehills Jul 2023 #43