Comments on: Downsizing Utility Usage http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148 One Guy, Three Bicycles, One World Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:04:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: admin http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148/comment-page-1#comment-108 admin Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:37:21 +0000 http://www.sheksfootprint.com/?p=148#comment-108 <p>@ terri That is a good idea. I stopped my coffee habits. Maybe stick something to the front door. I take Laya out first thing in the morning. </p> <p>@ mueller Thanks for visiting. I think we can do something like that all year round in Florida except a few days of storms. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex, so such modifications are limited. </p> <p>It would be ideal to live completely off the grid. I am visiting one such house this month. It is built by Nelson Hellmuth to educate people about sustainable houses. "His utility-free building has no water, sewer, or electric connections at all and has been built with all green products from the Green Home Store in St. Augustine, including natural cork, formaldahide-free plywood, solar panels, etc."</p> <p>I will post details about the house after my visit. </p> <p>@terri Would you be interested in coming? Email me if so.</p> @ terri That is a good idea. I stopped my coffee habits. Maybe stick something to the front door. I take Laya out first thing in the morning.

@ mueller Thanks for visiting. I think we can do something like that all year round in Florida except a few days of storms. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex, so such modifications are limited.

It would be ideal to live completely off the grid. I am visiting one such house this month. It is built by Nelson Hellmuth to educate people about sustainable houses. “His utility-free building has no water, sewer, or electric connections at all and has been built with all green products from the Green Home Store in St. Augustine, including natural cork, formaldahide-free plywood, solar panels, etc.”

I will post details about the house after my visit.

@terri Would you be interested in coming? Email me if so.

]]> By: mmueller http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148/comment-page-1#comment-107 mmueller Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:29:07 +0000 http://www.sheksfootprint.com/?p=148#comment-107 <p>In Australia and I imagine you can get them in the U.S. as well we have solar hot water systems. We fitted one to our roof and it allows us to leave our hot water heater off for about 8 months of the year, While our model requires direct sunlight there are other heat pump types that can work in cooler climates etc.</p> In Australia and I imagine you can get them in the U.S. as well we have solar hot water systems. We fitted one to our roof and it allows us to leave our hot water heater off for about 8 months of the year, While our model requires direct sunlight there are other heat pump types that can work in cooler climates etc.

]]> By: thartley http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148/comment-page-1#comment-100 thartley Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:52:29 +0000 http://www.sheksfootprint.com/?p=148#comment-100 <p>I've used a timer on my water heater before. I paid about $20 for it at Home Depot and it took the "having to remember" part out of it, however the simplest way is to just walk over and hit the switch. A less expensive method for me was to tape a stickynote reminder to my coffeemaker's reservoir lid. I NEVER forget coffee.</p> I’ve used a timer on my water heater before. I paid about $20 for it at Home Depot and it took the “having to remember” part out of it, however the simplest way is to just walk over and hit the switch. A less expensive method for me was to tape a stickynote reminder to my coffeemaker’s reservoir lid. I NEVER forget coffee.

]]> By: admin http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148/comment-page-1#comment-97 admin Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:57:56 +0000 http://www.sheksfootprint.com/?p=148#comment-97 <p>I think it switches on if the temperature drops in the reservoir. I know another person in Jacksonville through my JSF group (http://jacksonvillefuture.com/) who has been doing that and is reporting some savings. Also, some people put an external insulating layer on their water heater.</p> I think it switches on if the temperature drops in the reservoir. I know another person in Jacksonville through my JSF group (http://jacksonvillefuture.com/) who has been doing that and is reporting some savings. Also, some people put an external insulating layer on their water heater.

]]> By: The Seeker http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/148/comment-page-1#comment-96 The Seeker Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:22:15 +0000 http://www.sheksfootprint.com/?p=148#comment-96 <p>Interesting. I have never heard of the water heater thing before. Does it heat even if you are not home and not using it?</p> Interesting. I have never heard of the water heater thing before. Does it heat even if you are not home and not using it?

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