EcoRenovator - EcoModder->EcoRenovator

Hi,
I'm Adam, yet another EcoModder.com member who came over here:) Actually, I should have done it a few months ago... I've been interested in ecology, saving, efficiency, RE, etc. since high school.

Here's a word about our house. It's a typical, late '60's cube-shaped style, of which there are thousands and thousands in Poland and other countries in middle- and eastern- Europe. Two floors plus basement with garage, each floor about 50 sq. meters. The walls are 50cm brick, a few years ago they where isolated on the outside with 5cm of styrofoam. Windows recently changed to 2-pane, argon filled with wood frames.

The heating system is a natural gas furnace (way too oversized) and big, cast iron radiators. No A/C. Hot water comes from two on-demand gas heaters, one on each floor. Stove is gas, oven is electric.

Our property is small (450m2). Lots of shade from tall trees, so solar will be a problem. Trees, plus close neighbors and tons of dumb regulations, mean no chances for a wind gennie :(

The electricity from the utility comes mostly (over 90%) from coal (both black and brown), only 2%-5% from RE, mostly hydro. The natural gas is 70%-80% imported from Russia.

Since moving in 2 years ago I've helped the Wife force a few changes upon Dad-in-law: CFL's, off switches on strips for electronics, efficient refridgerator (650 Wh/day, compared to 1250 Wh/day), automatic room-temp thermostat for central heating, barrel for rainwater, compost pile.

Our plans for next year is to get rid of the on-demand hot water heaters, replacing them with a tank in the basement. The water will be heated with solar panels (one corner of the roof get some sun) and from waste ventilation with an air-water heat pump. The gravity ventilation will be replaced with forced, with a recuperator. I'd also like a small PV, and an electricity generating exercise bike.