Post
by Hoytman » Tue. Jan. 31, 2023 3:22 pm
Coldhouse,
I think it might be a good idea to monitor how long you leave each stoves ash pan door open. That is, get an idea how long it takes once open to tend stove, record that and then add and record any additional time you leave the door open. Maybe pick a set time for the first tend or two, then the next two maybe add a couple minutes to each stove at tend, then a few more minutes next tend, and so on. Just to see what happens.
Paul,
You are absolutely correct. Heavy curtains make a huge difference. Took me a while but I finally convinced the wife of this.
We have two large 5’x5’ picture windows each having additional 1’x5’ side windows attached to the sides of each large window.
Leave those curtains open on a night 20F…especially a night below 15F and the house temp drops 6-8 degrees. Close those curtains and we only lose about 1-3 degrees. Often times we only lose 1-2 degrees. I haven’t recorded this as it’s only from memory but there’s 3 of us here that has noticed the difference in closing those curtains…and they’re heavy by todays standard since few people even use curtains, but they’re not like the old time real heavy curtains…but they do go down to the floor. I certainly think they help to save fuel.
Rob,
I’m pretty certain that if people contact their electric provider most will assist you by setting up a blower door test to see how much the hole is leaking. They do a test for a baseline then seal up and insulate and do second blower door test to show how much it helped. I believe they will help you set up an insulation contractor or work with one you may already have.
I did it at my other house and it was a great experience, was cheap, and heating and cooling costs dropped dramatically. I need to have it done here as well.