Never before in the history of Consumers Energy has a gas bill been so eagerly anticipated -- or so well received.
Today, I tore into the mail to find out the results of my window insulation experiment. In January, I spent $13 installing shrinkwrap insulating kits on four windows in an effort to cut my $184.88 gas bill.
Hot damn, I saved $50! This month's bill is $136.66. When you subtract the cost of the window insulating kits, I saved a grand total of $35.22 -- and that's just in one month. Imagine if I had actually done this in November! Or insulated more windows!
I did some calculations. February's billing cycle was warmer on average than January's billing cycle, by 3.8 degrees per day, so some savings could be expected. However, I also looked at my January 2009 heating bill ($187.70), compared to my February 2009 bill ($171.86) -- a difference of about $16. So to save $50 in one billing cycle is significant.
Our home is more comfortable as well. Instead of shivering under a blanket, I'm wearing a tank top as I type this.
The bottom line is, yes, those plastic shrinkwrap kits are worth the time and money it takes to install them. I'm going to do this every year from now on -- and I'll do it early in the season so I can enjoy a warm home all winter long.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Cold shoulder
The pitfalls of DIY are many. Procrastination, cutting corners, having only yourself to blame.
My shrinkwrap window insulating is falling down on me. They're wrinkling. The tape is not attached to the window sill. They're letting cold air in. I still haven't gotten my heating bill yet, so it's too soon to tell whether I've saved any money, but at this rate, it's not looking good.
I would try to reattach them, but the packages really skimp on tape. I think my downfall was that I didn't attach the tape properly. Oh well, it'll be March before we know it.
My shrinkwrap window insulating is falling down on me. They're wrinkling. The tape is not attached to the window sill. They're letting cold air in. I still haven't gotten my heating bill yet, so it's too soon to tell whether I've saved any money, but at this rate, it's not looking good.
I would try to reattach them, but the packages really skimp on tape. I think my downfall was that I didn't attach the tape properly. Oh well, it'll be March before we know it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Orange power!
Say hello to my little friend.
The Black & Decker Electromate 400 is an AC/DC portable power supply, jump starter and air compressor in one. And, it has a spotlight.
I'm not shy about going up to strangers and asking for a jump start. I know what I'm doing; I tell them they can stay in the car. But this machine eliminates the need to make new friend. I bought it (at Home Depot, $99.97) when my spare car's battery started acting up.
OK, but let's say you never leave your lights on, and your battery works just fine. Good. Have you ever woken up to find a flat tire ... without even enough tire pressure to get to the gas station? With the flip of a switch, old Orangey becomes an air compressor.
Say there's a power outage. How will you make coffee in the morning? This machine has two standard outlets, letting you use electricity even during a blackout or "rustic" camping trip. (I'm all for roughing it, but again, not without coffee, or an air compressor to blow up the mattress for my tent.) It even comes with needles for blowing up volleyballs and the like, and a DC power adapter (for things you would plug into a vehicle's cigarette lighter). There's even a compartment to store these accessories.
I haven't put the battery through the ringer -- yet -- but in my experience, it holds enough of a charge to get through several of these minor emergencies on one charge, and re-charges quickly, in less than three hours. At 16 inches, by 7 inches by 10 inches, it's compact enough to fit in any car's trunk.
You don't need an excuse to buy this jump box. Trust me, it'll come in handy. You can still make friends in parking lots, but instead of being the one holding jumper cables trying to look friendly/desperate/cute/trustworthy to strangers, you can be the one who saves the day.
The Black & Decker Electromate 400 is an AC/DC portable power supply, jump starter and air compressor in one. And, it has a spotlight.
I'm not shy about going up to strangers and asking for a jump start. I know what I'm doing; I tell them they can stay in the car. But this machine eliminates the need to make new friend. I bought it (at Home Depot, $99.97) when my spare car's battery started acting up.
OK, but let's say you never leave your lights on, and your battery works just fine. Good. Have you ever woken up to find a flat tire ... without even enough tire pressure to get to the gas station? With the flip of a switch, old Orangey becomes an air compressor.
Say there's a power outage. How will you make coffee in the morning? This machine has two standard outlets, letting you use electricity even during a blackout or "rustic" camping trip. (I'm all for roughing it, but again, not without coffee, or an air compressor to blow up the mattress for my tent.) It even comes with needles for blowing up volleyballs and the like, and a DC power adapter (for things you would plug into a vehicle's cigarette lighter). There's even a compartment to store these accessories.
I haven't put the battery through the ringer -- yet -- but in my experience, it holds enough of a charge to get through several of these minor emergencies on one charge, and re-charges quickly, in less than three hours. At 16 inches, by 7 inches by 10 inches, it's compact enough to fit in any car's trunk.You don't need an excuse to buy this jump box. Trust me, it'll come in handy. You can still make friends in parking lots, but instead of being the one holding jumper cables trying to look friendly/desperate/cute/trustworthy to strangers, you can be the one who saves the day.
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