Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

OnionPatch

(6,292 posts)

41. This is all true.

Sun Feb 19, 2023, 03:22 PM

Feb 2023

I have done all of this when we lived in previous homes with fireplaces. We used to harvest standing dead trees from the local National Forest (by permit) every year. I have some younger family members that will help me and I'm still in good shape for my age. I'm mainly just looking to shave a little $$ off my electric bill during the coldest months.

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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