Ray Hogan

Category: Energy

  • Storm windows for sidelights and the basement

    —

    by

    sensei
    in

    My dad pointed out one day that there are two sidelights by my front door with single pane glass and thin wood below. This had to change. On further analysis, I also discovered that the three basement windows had single pane glass as well. There are many solutions to this problem from the lowbrow “stuff…

  • My Primary Sensor Modules

    —

    by

    sensei
    in ,

    I found some modules made by Olimex that hit the sweet spot for me. They haveboth motion and temperature sensors on them, use both PIC microcontrollers, and use a Zigbee network for wireless communication. My plan is to add a small solar panel (2″x2″) to recharge batteries for the outside mocules. I’m not quite sure…

  • My High level Home Automation Plans

    —

    by

    sensei
    in ,

    Once all my stabalization projects are complete, I plan on moving to automation. Below is the basic plan Phase 1 – Establishment Get some basic X-10 Energy savings executing Learn about how to control and interface selected Digital Modules (Olimex – zigbee Mod-PIR) Phase 2 – Digital Wireless Get basic temperature monitoring going (basic rooms,…

  • The Energy Saving Economics of DIY vs. Contractors

    —

    by

    sensei
    in , ,

    If you have even decent skills, there is no comparison of the economics. Energy Saving projects are generally a marginal effort and the returns are over long periods of time. For example, I estimate that sealing, improving soffit ventilation, sealing my Air Handler in the attic, and the basement sill plates will, at most, save $75-$100 per…

  • My Energy Saving Campaign

    —

    by

    sensei
    in ,

    I bought a new house in July 2012. Nice house. The energy conservation situation was pretty deficient.   This blog will chronicle my various DIY projects, repairs and improvements on the house in regards to energy conservation.

  • Sealing the Attic Part 2

    —

    by

    sensei
    in

    So, to get to the nitty gritty, I began sealing. The recommended way is to use “Great Stuff”. This is an expandable foam in a can with a spray tube. It’s a messy, glue-like substance that works well and is a bit finnickly as a product. For example, once you begin using it, it is…

  • Sealing the air leaks in the basement

    —

    by

    sensei
    in ,

    First the warning: If you seal too well, the exhaust from the furnace or hot water heater will not naturally go up the chimney, but instead stay around. The by product of burning Natural Gas and Other fuels is Carbon Monoxide … a silent killer.   Care should Always be taken as well as continuous verification that…

  • Sealing the attic

    —

    by

    sensei
    in

    Although the air conditioner was at a minimum level of insulation and leakiness, I then moved to sealing the aire leaks in the attic. Basicaly, there are various holes and gaps in the attic floor where, air can come from inside the house and flow to the atic and then outside. these holes should be…

  • Insulating the Basement – The Campaign

    —

    by

    sensei
    in ,

    My Second Major project is improving the energy efficiency of the basement.   Specifically, I’m improving the cubbie holes above the sill plate (basically the top of the basement walls between the floor joists), and adding storm windows to the basement windows.   My plan is to use PolyIso to fill in the cubbies after…

  • Stabilizing my Air Handler – Part 3

    —

    by

    sensei
    in

    Once the main leaks were all handled, I then took to insulating the air handler on the outside and the supply ducts. I chose to use 1 inch Polyiso board insulation. I chose 1 inch because I needed some flexibility. I used 5-6 sheets of this and placed it all over both the handler and…