Something else you can do is hunt down "leeches". Unplug or turn off all of the obvious suspects then go out and look at your power meter. If the wheel is still turning, you have something that is leeching power. Usually it's things with the black boxes that plug into the wall (converters). Even if not being used, they can still draw power. Just keep unplugging everything until the wheel on the meter stops then decide what's important.
Love your videos. This is a great idea! We live in the north country of NY and the winters can get pretty cold, especially at night. I am going add the bubble to my windows! Thanks for all your wonderful tips!!
i did my garage door last year with the aluminum faced ins. and taped it with some good clear packing tape .. started to use aluminum tape but the packing tape worked just fine. can't see the seams unless you look real close .. and yes the door is heavier about twice as heavy.. thank i'll try the bubble wrap :) i have window plugs i put in on real cold nights cut out of 1/4" & 1/2" ins. they work great covers the hole window .. i like the bubble wrap good to let the sun*light in :) Thanks
So the bubble wrap just sticks without using tape or anything? I'd like to try this on a few rental units, to see if I could help the folks lower their bills. Appearance isnt really an issue, since the majority of them never open the blinds anyways...sheeesh.
@mhpgardener Yep, I just dipped a paper towel in water, wiped the window and stuck the bubble wrap on the glass. You can easily pull it off if you want to but it sticks to the glass perfectly.
@Gardensandcabins I checked and the rates were lower this year Jan - March but higher April - June. My biggest savings was in the cold months and this was the coldest winter I can remember. My kw usage dropped substantially in those months. I couldn't believe how much warmer my house stayed this winter. It was worth doing just to stay warm.
Love the bubble wrap on the windows. We're going to try that.
We've started plugging everything into power strips then turning them off when not in use and using CFL bulbs for every light. This has given us a 17 1/2% savings on our electric bill over last year. With summer being as hot as it is we've also decided to stop using our clothes dryer and put everything on a line (our solar clothes dryer).
Good job! I love to see how the little things add up. Sealing all the cracks around your house will make a HUGE difference because a 1/4 inch crack that runs 2 feet is the same as having a 6 inch hole in a wall. On windows anything that creates a thermal break makes a big difference, heck even just closing curtains will help a lot.
@fletcher3913 I'm sure the exterior walls are insulated but I've wondered if the wall between the garage and the rest of the house was insulated. It has made the house much more comfortable. It's like all my heat and air was going through that wall and out the garage door.
I love these ideas. I'm going to get PaladinPrepper right on that garage door thing. Super idea. I'll also try the bubble wrap thing as well. Thank you so much.
wow that is cold brrrrrr. I'm gonna try that bubble wrap. I bartered awnings over 1/2 my window and that made a huge difference. But couldn't afford the rest. Great tips. Blessings!
I appreciate the video. I am gonna go look for some of that 1" foam to do my garage doors. that is a great idea. I would go broke trying to bubble wrap all my old huge aluminum windows, may have to look for another venue for those.
@TheCajuntransplant Just wait for the bubble wrap to come in the mail! I get stuff all the time wrapped in bubble wrap. Tell friends to save it for you. I bet you'd have enough in no time at all.
Something else you can do is hunt down "leeches". Unplug or turn off all of the obvious suspects then go out and look at your power meter. If the wheel is still turning, you have something that is leeching power. Usually it's things with the black boxes that plug into the wall (converters). Even if not being used, they can still draw power. Just keep unplugging everything until the wheel on the meter stops then decide what's important.
McHenryAnge 5 months ago
Nice tips! Love the pipe wrap tip! We use extra insulation and bubble wrap in the greenhouse and it makes a great deal of difference!
horticultureandhomes 7 months ago
Love your videos. This is a great idea! We live in the north country of NY and the winters can get pretty cold, especially at night. I am going add the bubble to my windows! Thanks for all your wonderful tips!!
jt3318 8 months ago
i did my garage door last year with the aluminum faced ins. and taped it with some good clear packing tape .. started to use aluminum tape but the packing tape worked just fine. can't see the seams unless you look real close .. and yes the door is heavier about twice as heavy.. thank i'll try the bubble wrap :) i have window plugs i put in on real cold nights cut out of 1/4" & 1/2" ins. they work great covers the hole window .. i like the bubble wrap good to let the sun*light in :) Thanks
SpikenAL 8 months ago
So the bubble wrap just sticks without using tape or anything? I'd like to try this on a few rental units, to see if I could help the folks lower their bills. Appearance isnt really an issue, since the majority of them never open the blinds anyways...sheeesh.
mhpgardener 8 months ago
@mhpgardener Yep, I just dipped a paper towel in water, wiped the window and stuck the bubble wrap on the glass. You can easily pull it off if you want to but it sticks to the glass perfectly.
imstillworkin 8 months ago
Did you get the foam insulation from a sewing/craft store or from a home improvement store? Will probably take this project on this weekend.
Hoovesandpaws61 8 months ago
@Hoovesandpaws61 I bought it from Home Depot. It cuts easily with a hand saw.
imstillworkin 8 months ago
@Gardensandcabins I checked and the rates were lower this year Jan - March but higher April - June. My biggest savings was in the cold months and this was the coldest winter I can remember. My kw usage dropped substantially in those months. I couldn't believe how much warmer my house stayed this winter. It was worth doing just to stay warm.
imstillworkin 8 months ago
Love the bubble wrap on the windows. We're going to try that.
We've started plugging everything into power strips then turning them off when not in use and using CFL bulbs for every light. This has given us a 17 1/2% savings on our electric bill over last year. With summer being as hot as it is we've also decided to stop using our clothes dryer and put everything on a line (our solar clothes dryer).
AMCravatt 8 months ago
Good job! I love to see how the little things add up. Sealing all the cracks around your house will make a HUGE difference because a 1/4 inch crack that runs 2 feet is the same as having a 6 inch hole in a wall. On windows anything that creates a thermal break makes a big difference, heck even just closing curtains will help a lot.
auntgrumpy517 8 months ago
Great ideas. I guess once more I will be following your lead!
Hoovesandpaws61 8 months ago
I'm trying bubble wrap next winter! Our garage is good in the winter but so hot in the summer. I don't get it...
255sage 8 months ago
Is the rest of the garage insulated?
fletcher3913 8 months ago
@fletcher3913 I'm sure the exterior walls are insulated but I've wondered if the wall between the garage and the rest of the house was insulated. It has made the house much more comfortable. It's like all my heat and air was going through that wall and out the garage door.
imstillworkin 8 months ago
I love these ideas. I'm going to get PaladinPrepper right on that garage door thing. Super idea. I'll also try the bubble wrap thing as well. Thank you so much.
katzcradul 8 months ago
@katzcradul Another thing I want to do is insulate my attic access door.
watch?v=8POZvK9QB6k&feature=related
imstillworkin 8 months ago
wow that is cold brrrrrr. I'm gonna try that bubble wrap. I bartered awnings over 1/2 my window and that made a huge difference. But couldn't afford the rest. Great tips. Blessings!
BexarPrepper 8 months ago
i'm glad to see someone stayin on top of there heating and ac bills. your doing a good job. keep the videos coming, richard
richard1948benz 8 months ago
I appreciate the video. I am gonna go look for some of that 1" foam to do my garage doors. that is a great idea. I would go broke trying to bubble wrap all my old huge aluminum windows, may have to look for another venue for those.
TheCajuntransplant 8 months ago
@TheCajuntransplant Just wait for the bubble wrap to come in the mail! I get stuff all the time wrapped in bubble wrap. Tell friends to save it for you. I bet you'd have enough in no time at all.
katzcradul 8 months ago