Post by RudyPost by Kris KriegerWhen I lived in the Vancouver, BC area, the requirements for
insulation were low because the climate was supposedly "mild".
Because of crappy insulation, for a similarly-sized house, we paid a
minimum there of 2X more (sometimes up to 3X more) in heating costs
than we'd paid in the *Toronto* area.
When we were in the Vancouver area in the mid-late 1990s, our "equal
payment" energy (hydro and gas combined) was running ~ $ 100-103/mo
on an annual basis..Didnt know how good we had it then. Total about
$1200 yr. The electric rate was ~4 cents US/ 5.5 cents CDN KWH
then.
We moved to Az in 1998 and built a new home there (R38 ceilings R 24
walls) that was 60% larger and the electric rate was 7.5 cents Winter
and 9.5 cents Summer, or 2-3 times more than the rate in BC.
No hydro in AZ ;)
What bugged me wasn't the cost so much as that the house was never
comfortable.
I think this is somehting people totally forget about when the topic of
insulation arises. Good insulation helps the house maintain a more even
temperature - smaller temp gradients and no drafts.
The place we're renting now (in Houston) has the same old cheapjunk 1/8"
single pane windows it was built with back in the 60's (the Aluminum frames
are also weak and the glazing putty is completely deteriorated - IOW Zero
Maintenence). The summer was bad, the A/C unit could not keep up with the
100+ temps we were getting, even though it ran almost constantly. I have
no idea what the "Winter" (such as it is here) will be like. I might build
cheap insulators (wood frame, plastic on both sides, some foam stripping
around the edge to hold it and plug leaks) for several of the windows, such
as the den and the bedroom, simply to enhance the comfort level.
And, as we discovered with out Masachusetts house, if the windows aren't
put in properly (if gaps aren;t sealed and so on), they might as well be
single pane - those used to *frost up*. I was thoroughly disgusted.
Insulation only works if it's installed properly...
Post by RudyBecause
of better, more effecient building practices..once we were in, the
first years annual energy cost (mainly electric w/ 2 Carrier A/C-Heat
pumps 12.5 SEER and 14.1 SEER) was the same $ 804 US or $ 1200 CDN
at the prevailing rate of exchange.
R
I have a design for a passive cooling system that I want to eventually
check out, re: whether it'd work. In a very dry climate, as I discovered
in southern CA, I personally am comfy up to about 94 to 96 deg F so long as
I'm in the shade and have a fan on. Have to set up a cooling system for
the computer, tho' ;) .
In a wet climate, need the A/C to help knock moisture out of the air.
There, insualtion and especially sealing makes a big difference. One day,
I hope we settle down enough to make building our own place worth-while.
I'd like to have a variety of "green" options incorporated to save on water
and energy (and hopefully even generate energy and collect water). Can't
get any of that in a pre-built.