Hello all

mincus · 02-21-09, 08:27 PM

Hello there,

I was referred to this forum by gascort, a good friend of mine. He's definitely influenced me in green endeavors. I started my first garden last year because of him. I'm already looking forward to this years (just started the seeds). And with some prodding, he convinced my wife and I to cloth diaper our child.

Anywho, I'm definitely interested in tinkering with efficiency. My wife and I moved into a 50 year old house two years ago. My driving inspiration is the fact that my gas bill is the same as my parents and their house is twice the size and they keep it 5 degrees warmer!

I have been steadily making progress. One of my biggest energy improvements thus far has been redoing the insulation in the attic. I didn't add too much more, but moved what was there (which was done all wrong). They had about 2 inches of blown in insulation which was completely compressed (I'm guessing original to the house). On top of that was about 2 inches of paper backed (ahhh!!) roll insulation. And on top of that was another 3 inches of paper backed roll insulation....a condensation catastrophe waiting to happen. Plus, the insulation didn't cover the entire ceiling. Many spots were completely bare, just drywall showing in the attic! I spent a good 50 hours up there fixing that, but am glad it's finished (an awful awful job).

Other than that, a three month old baby keeps me busy. For any of those interested, cloth diapers have been fantastic, and I would recommend them to anyone. In my free time, I like to work on my house, and tinker with other little projects. I built a small prototype wind turbine. It can barely light up a tiny LED, so I'm working on a solution to make it more efficient. I think I already have it figured out, just trying to find the time to work on it.

I'm also trying to figure out the best way to make a soda can solar collector for some cheap solar heating. I have some ideas (in addition to things I've found online), and wanted to try it this winter, but with the new baby, just had no time. I'm hoping to have one built by next winter.

So, hello everyone!

Daox · 02-22-09, 09:16 AM

Welcome to the site! It sounds like you got some good projects going on. I too just redid my attic insulation and I know the pain you speak of!

SVOboy · 02-22-09, 02:44 PM

Welcome to EcoRenovator! Sounds like you'll fit right in.

gascort · 03-03-09, 07:11 PM

Glad to see this thread... finally!
I must say, the wind generator is awesome - I really want to build a bigger one this summer using your design.
We could even leave it at school in the courtyard, so it could be huge...
After Metro's post about the bicycle generator made of the old blower motor, I think that's the way to go.

02-21-09, 08:27 PM	#1
mincus Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello all Hello there, I was referred to this forum by gascort, a good friend of mine. He's definitely influenced me in green endeavors. I started my first garden last year because of him. I'm already looking forward to this years (just started the seeds). And with some prodding, he convinced my wife and I to cloth diaper our child. Anywho, I'm definitely interested in tinkering with efficiency. My wife and I moved into a 50 year old house two years ago. My driving inspiration is the fact that my gas bill is the same as my parents and their house is twice the size and they keep it 5 degrees warmer! I have been steadily making progress. One of my biggest energy improvements thus far has been redoing the insulation in the attic. I didn't add too much more, but moved what was there (which was done all wrong). They had about 2 inches of blown in insulation which was completely compressed (I'm guessing original to the house). On top of that was about 2 inches of paper backed (ahhh!!) roll insulation. And on top of that was another 3 inches of paper backed roll insulation....a condensation catastrophe waiting to happen. Plus, the insulation didn't cover the entire ceiling. Many spots were completely bare, just drywall showing in the attic! I spent a good 50 hours up there fixing that, but am glad it's finished (an awful awful job). Other than that, a three month old baby keeps me busy. For any of those interested, cloth diapers have been fantastic, and I would recommend them to anyone. In my free time, I like to work on my house, and tinker with other little projects. I built a small prototype wind turbine. It can barely light up a tiny LED, so I'm working on a solution to make it more efficient. I think I already have it figured out, just trying to find the time to work on it. I'm also trying to figure out the best way to make a soda can solar collector for some cheap solar heating. I have some ideas (in addition to things I've found online), and wanted to try it this winter, but with the new baby, just had no time. I'm hoping to have one built by next winter. So, hello everyone!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-22-09, 09:16 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Welcome to the site! It sounds like you got some good projects going on. I too just redid my attic insulation and I know the pain you speak of!

02-22-09, 02:44 PM	#3
SVOboy Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 291 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Welcome to EcoRenovator! Sounds like you'll fit right in.

03-03-09, 07:11 PM	#4
gascort Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad to see this thread... finally! I must say, the wind generator is awesome - I really want to build a bigger one this summer using your design. We could even leave it at school in the courtyard, so it could be huge... After Metro's post about the bicycle generator made of the old blower motor, I think that's the way to go.