Provident Living
	Home Energy Savings.
	The Results of a nearly fifteen year on going study
	Sharing ideas to support families. Take this information for what it's worth! I am no one special or have credentials to backup my ideas, just the school of Life. I did receive an AAS in Electronic Engineering Technology from Ricks College Idaho. The information on this page to help families try to make ends meet. I hope it might help yours.
Support Advkeep!
	Goal increase efficiency for those who need it most.
	These results of an on going study about effectiveness of Home Energy Improvements. While performing energy improvements to a house analyzing utility bills and weather data measured on site, for this location. Note; Charts will be changing as new data is added and more accurate models applied.
	Utility prices have been increasing faster with deregulation of the utilities. This chart show annual averaged prices. Note; KWH seem lower until summer rates are averaged in.
	Annual Utility cost are increasing though your house maybe a lot worse. This is with Energy Improvements.
	More charts will also be added as the analysis continues.
	Originally this house had only R7 insulation in the walls and ceiling it was purchased as a "Fixer Upper" and intended to be sold after a few years. After the first wave of fixing up the place, we liked the neighborhood then never bothered to leave. A part of the first wave of improvement the insulation was increased to R17 in the walls and R28 in the ceiling. In 1993 the Geek in the family wanted a Weather Station to start this study and satisfy the green peace tree hugger in the inner spirit, no affiliation, besides I learned as a teenager from ticks and chiggers its a bad idea to hug trees. After gather data during a ten plus year diversion in meteorology, when it was time to replace the very old tired swamp cooler and furnace. Started getting quotes tor a new environmental control system as efficient as we could afford, plus a bell and still looking for the whistle. Any way, getting too wordy, on to the research. Had the system installed in late summer of 2006, continue monitoring, analyzing, and know reporting results. Results separated into Heating and Cooling.
	As with any heating or cooling system the most import thing is keep up on maintenance. Replace or clean filters monthly. The harder the fan works the more it cost to move air. Check weather striping annually. A house that leaks like a sieve is like burning money blowing the ashes out the doors and windows.
	Heating
	Natural Gas Savings of Improvements Dollars saved per year Projected Natural Gas Cost w/O Improvements Dollars Cost per year
	Noted four different changes in efficiency rates. 1993-1994 Started study R7 to R17 walls and R28 Ceiling 1997 Flat to Pitch Roof, Single to Double pane windows, R23 Walls 2004 Lubricated heater fan with annual maintenance?. 2006 New Heating System, Swamp Cooler to Central Air, R66 Ceiling
	Environmental System Installed and maintained by Superior Water & Air
	System Components 94% Furnace 2.5 Ton Evaporator Coil 2 Ton Seer 17 A/C Infinity Zone Control w/ 4 Zones Clean Effects EAC UV Purification System Humidifier Heat Recovery Ventilator $2500 back in Refunds from Carrier, Utilities, Taxes
	Remember this system is a step in the right direction from what it replaced. It's not the perfect system or the best for every home. That need to be determined by your families needs with help from trustworthy Professionals. This system was chosen from more than four bids as well as consulted with other independent professionals as a sanity check. Checking bids, components, and prices.
	System Details
	Furnace Carrier 58MVB 94% AFUE Natural Gas 2 Stage Variable speed fan The Hart of the system
	Air Conditioner Carrier 24ANA7 Seer 17 2 Stage 2 Ton R-410A Refrigerant Carrier CNPV3017A Indoor Coil 2.5 Ton
	Thermostat+ Carrier Infinity SYSTX 2/5-7 Day Programing 4 periods per Day + Fan Speed 1-8 Zones This Brain is more than a Thermostat It controls the whole System Normally takes a thermostat & 2 controllers each for Humidity  &  Energy Recover Ventilator
	Air Filter Trane Clean Effects Electronic Air Cleaner Removes Dust, Pollen, Dander, & Bacteria Never Replace Filters Vacuum to clean Filterer 1 / month 2 Collection cells 1 / Quarter Highly recommended for Allergies or Asthma
	UV Air Purifier Superior Air Purification System kills germs before the EAC Also nice for Asthma, Cold & Flu season
	Humidifier Carrier Fan Powered Nice for high deserts
	Heat Recovery Ventilator by Carrier To swap stale air for Fresh air. Think of a fan powered automatic windows that blows stale out one window while pulling fresh air in another partially preconditions and filters the air before returning it to the air return. Heat Recovery Ventilator and Energy Recovery Ventilator are essentially the same thing the only difference is HRV are optimized for cold weather. HRV and ERV are used to swap stale air for Fresh air. When a building is sealed so tight that very little air can get in or out of the building, good for energy efficiency, but bad for health. Because chemicals from cleaners, aerosols, and air born germs can build up causing sick building syndrome.
	Superior Water & Air has performed has very well with the installation and maintaining this environmental control system. Their prices are completive, NATE certified technicians, courteous, clean and prompt.

Any ideas, comments, constructive criticism is welcome in aBoard forums.
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Last changed: 3/27/2007, 20:38:42