Has your energy usage been higher or lower than last year? - Page 2

jwxr7 · 05-11-09, 12:28 PM

Our propane and electric usage for the winter was slightly lower, and our wood usage was maybe 20% lower than last year, even with a colder winter. I forgot the degree day difference, but I figured it all out a couple months ago. I know january was the coldest since I moved into this house 10yrs ago. I think the main help was in window coverings. I put plastic on all the same windows as last year, but this year I added dark blankets too. I even put them on the skylight and patio door. makes a difference

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insaneintenti0n · 05-12-09, 07:12 AM

I can pull true numbers later, but it's highly likely this year was more than last year. We did some insulation, finally a winter with all new windows, boiler maintenance was done for the first time since we moved it, but this winter was the coldest winter I remember in a long time.

I'm looking at a few bills now online (we have things broken out better on a spreadsheet) Looks like things are actually on par. I'll just use averages since my monthly bills range from 27 days to 34 days.

Dec 2007 - 24.6 kWh/day, 4.9 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 38F
Dec 2008 - 25.4 kWh/day (more), 4.1 Thems/day (less), Avg Temp: 39F

Jan 2008 - 21.2 kWh/day, 5.5 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 36F
Jan 2009 - 21.5 kWh/day (more), 5.8 Therms/day (more), Avg Temp: 30F (Cold!)

Feb 2008 - 19.6 kWh/day, 5.3 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 37F
Feb 2009 - 17.5 kWh/day (less), 5.0 Therms/day (less), Avg Temp: 37F

So for 3 months of data over 2 years, I have 1/2 the areas I used more, 1/2 the areas I used less.

Our bill have a $200 range on them. This past month was $132.62. In Jan it was $338.17.

PaleMelanesian · 05-13-09, 10:57 AM

Higher. This winter was cooler than last year, and we had a new baby in November. The house stayed warmer, especially overnight, to keep him warm.

I have a pile of insulation in the garage waiting to go into the attic. Hopefully that will help. Half the house has about R25 in the attic, and half has R10. I'm going to get that second half up to about R30.

View Poll Results: Has your energy usage been higher or lower than last year?
Higher	5	33.33%
Lower!	9	60.00%
I dunno, I just pay the bill	1	6.67%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

05-11-09, 12:28 PM	#11
jwxr7 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: mid michigan Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Our propane and electric usage for the winter was slightly lower, and our wood usage was maybe 20% lower than last year, even with a colder winter. I forgot the degree day difference, but I figured it all out a couple months ago. I know january was the coldest since I moved into this house 10yrs ago. I think the main help was in window coverings. I put plastic on all the same windows as last year, but this year I added dark blankets too. I even put them on the skylight and patio door. makes a difference . Last edited by jwxr7; 05-13-09 at 01:59 PM..

05-12-09, 07:12 AM	#12
insaneintenti0n Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 183 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I can pull true numbers later, but it's highly likely this year was more than last year. We did some insulation, finally a winter with all new windows, boiler maintenance was done for the first time since we moved it, but this winter was the coldest winter I remember in a long time. I'm looking at a few bills now online (we have things broken out better on a spreadsheet) Looks like things are actually on par. I'll just use averages since my monthly bills range from 27 days to 34 days. Dec 2007 - 24.6 kWh/day, 4.9 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 38F Dec 2008 - 25.4 kWh/day (more), 4.1 Thems/day (less), Avg Temp: 39F Jan 2008 - 21.2 kWh/day, 5.5 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 36F Jan 2009 - 21.5 kWh/day (more), 5.8 Therms/day (more), Avg Temp: 30F (Cold!) Feb 2008 - 19.6 kWh/day, 5.3 Therms/day, Avg Temp: 37F Feb 2009 - 17.5 kWh/day (less), 5.0 Therms/day (less), Avg Temp: 37F So for 3 months of data over 2 years, I have 1/2 the areas I used more, 1/2 the areas I used less. Our bill have a $200 range on them. This past month was $132.62. In Jan it was $338.17.

05-13-09, 10:57 AM	#13
PaleMelanesian Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 118 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Higher. This winter was cooler than last year, and we had a new baby in November. The house stayed warmer, especially overnight, to keep him warm. I have a pile of insulation in the garage waiting to go into the attic. Hopefully that will help. Half the house has about R25 in the attic, and half has R10. I'm going to get that second half up to about R30.