More energy savers

[HSLINKS]

My reg water lines don't freeze up, just the hot water baseboard heat lines. The house is 250+ years old with basement walls that are combos of rock, brick, concrete and/or wood. I think what happens is the lines near the rock or concrete freeze because it gives off extra cold. Basement is NOT heated except for whatever comes off the furnance (if its cranked low then of course not much). If the heat is low then the water doesn't circulate so the pipes freeze. Luckily I have been able to thaw them both times with NO damage. Now I run a kero to keep some heat down there just for the pipes

Ria

[wilbe95]

Ria,
Do you have your water lines covered? There are several different items to cover your water lines with-heat tape, foam, insulated tape, etc. They really work wonders, I don't have a basement so the water lines are close to the ground. We end up getting snow packed in under the house and in one bathroom (farthest from the hot water tank) the hot water will freeze up but only when it is actual temperatures of around -15, once it gets to 0 outside the pipes will thaw back out. We did discover that some of the heat tape was missing and plan to get some foam in the spring to put on the lines.

[JoAnn]

Heat tape is one of those great inventions. Hubby and I used that many years ago.

[HSLINKS]

I can't heat tape the hot water baseboard pipes unfortunately - not sure why but the oil company guys said no.. I trust John, have it for reg water pipes

Ria

[jaime]

Great post! Thanks for the tips

[mos]

when the temps hit 27 or below, I turn the bathtub faucet on to get a good, steady drip to that my pipes don't freeze. they're insulated, but I don't take any chances. I've had to crawl under and defrost;-\
I didn't know that they make 75 watt swirlies. I've only seen 60 and 100. I wish that they made 3-ways after reading everyone's comments.
I guess I'll get curtains and then line them with something. thanks!

[HSLINKS]

Mos, this spring/summer you can temp pull the foam insulation stick up some heat tape, put the foam insulation on top and then you won't be wasting the water next winter. Invest in a ground fault plug in .. I have some that are like extension cords for pool, back yard especially if the ground is wet (lower section is usually damp even in Aug).

Up here you used to see pump houses glowing at night, people used to put a reg lamp with the reflector surround in an insulated pump house so it wouldn't freeze .. Unfortunately I think trying to do that under a house would not work.

If they are cold water lines, grab the kids pool noodles from the dollar store and slice down on one side - not sure if those would work on hot water lines

Ria

[HSLINKS]

Remember saving energy is not only good for the enviroment, but the wallet <g>

Heading over to the strip that has the rechargers on it and turning it OFF ---

also think its a great soup day (more snow)

have a safe holiday everyone .. I still don't have the 'spirit' haven't even bothered with a tree ..

pulling from files:
SMART PLUG COULD SAVE YOU $$150 IN ELECTRICITY
The mCube90G smart-plug hub plays the role of a strict bartender at a bar full of heavy drinkers &mdash; only in this case, the drinkers are power-thirsty gadgets running up your tab.

Research has shown that the average American family pays anywhere from $50 to $150 extra a year on wasted energy costs from plugged-in electronics that aren't being used, such as DVD players and TVs that are ostensibly "off" and cellphones that are fully charged but whose chargers continue to draw a trickle of electricity from the wall outlet.

It's the latter category that the upcoming plug hub from Innergie targets: It cuts off the electricity flow of gadgets at the moment they're done charging, offering a good energy efficiency option to those looking for ways to save a few bucks.

While many gadgets know when they are charged fully by an internal indicator, their chargers often continue to pull energy out. Since most people don't have the time or the inclination to constantly plug and unplug appliances, even with easy-to-see standby settings, this gadget's steady, silent work should make things easier.

The gadget is compatible with many different types of electronics and you should be able to plug them all in at once. This will save you the trouble (and the space) needed to carry an extra charger for each.

The mCube90G uses technology developed by San Ramon, California-based Green Plug. The latter's "Greentalk" open system is an universal interface that will also be adapted into the gadget charge systems of other consumer electronic companies, in addition to this stand-alone unit.

But this hub will only be regarded as an intermediary solution to a larger problem. It doesn't track the detailed consumption in a visual data form, like the Wattson power monitor. It also depends on the volition of individuals to use them with all gadgets, as opposed to being part of a complete home energy system.

According to Innergie, one of the most interesting features of the mCube90G is what it calls its ability to "dynamically adapt" to the energy demands of individual gadgets. For example, if you plug in a large laptop at only 20 percent of energy, a cellphone at 80 percent and a low-powered lamp running LEDs, it will funnel most of the energy from the charger to the laptop until its close to full, while it slowly siphons some to the ones who need it less.

And when all the juice is consumed and every gadget is nice and toasty, the plug turns off the lights on itself by shutting down. That sounds like a responsible way to deal with the terrible addiction that is the leading symptom of years of energy abuse.

The mCube90G will be available in 2009, presumably after its CES debut. There's no word on the price.
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8 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR COMPUTERS CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICITY
The Simple Dollar 8 Ways to Easily Reduce the Energy Consumption of Your Computer - and Save Big Money
FROM RIA: well I hadn't plugged my speakers into the strip, guess I need to do that

Battery Facts
1. One rechargeable battery can replace up to 1,000 disposable batteries.
2. According to the EPA, Americans purchase 3,000,000,000 (three billion) batteries every year.
3. For pollution-free recharging, choose "green electricity" (made in Maine from hydropower and wind facilities). Or choose a battery charger with a built-in solar panel or adapters for plugging in to a solar panel.
4. Small disposable alkaline batteries (sizes AAA, AA, C and D) start at above 1.5 volts and drop unevenly to 1.0 volts during discharge, whereas nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries stay at a relatively constant 1.2 volts for most of their discharge cycle.
5. A nine volt battery is six smaller 1.5 volt batteries wired in series.
6. Older types of NiMH rechargeable batteries would self-discharge at about 1% per day, requiring frequent recharges. Newer NiMH batteries lose only about 0.07% of their charge per day, making them much more practical for many uses.
7. NiMH rechargeable batteries are qualified as non-hazardous.
8. Lithium ion rechargeable batteries (typically used in laptops and cell phones) are also qualified as non-hazardous.
9. The older nickel cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable batteries are hazardous and must be disposed of as household hazardous waste. Avoid this type of battery if possible.
10. Lead acid rechargeable batteries (typically used in cars and uninterruptible power supplies) are hazardous and should be recycled.
11. Disposable alkaline batteries manufactured before 1996 could contain mercury and should be considered potentially hazardous.



Ria

[mos]

I have a pump house and when it hits the teens, I turn a low watt light bulb on. there's no outlets in there or I'd try your idea of the heat tape. it's the main water line coming out of the ground from the pump house...which is really an incorrect name since the pump is in the ground...but the pressure bladder is in there and the line from the well comes in through the bladder, then back in the ground and comes up under my home. when it's nice and warm out, I'll see about the tape.

[brchbell]

Oh you poor dear! I had to run extension cords out to my pump house to keep it warm enough so it wouldn't freeze! It was such a mess as even with the added heat when it fell to sub zero we had a problem! finally 2 years ago I found a friend who understood my system and ran the water line from the pump in our pond straight into my basement and no more pump house. He said I didn't need a second pump to get it up the hill and he was right! Still got 1500' of cords ran up to the stock tank so the animals got water when they can't break through the pond ice. Hope you get it figured out!