I was kind of freaked about natural gas prices since I got two notices
from Alliant Energy that they were hiking prices. I read some tips on
the DOE website about how to weather proof and save heat this winter.
I did a few things and spent about $2500. I got my first two natuaral
gas bill and was pleasantly surprised when I comared to my last years
gas bill. I saved 20% this month and last month. This is what I did.

90% efficient powervent furnace installed = $2000
I put a Chimney Balloon in my fireplace flue = $50
I calked my old style single pane windows = $5
I blew in another 12" of celulose attic insulation = $250
I foamed around my door jams with Great stuff. = $10

The time and money I sent on this stuff is minimal compared to a 20%
savings. I am thrilled!

lid (DIYman) writes:
I was kind of freaked about natural gas prices since I got two notices
from Alliant Energy that they were hiking prices. I read some tips on
the DOE website about how to weather proof and save heat this winter.
I did a few things and spent about $2500. I got my first two natuaral
gas bill and was pleasantly surprised when I comared to my last years
gas bill. I saved 20% this month and last month. This is what I did.

90% efficient powervent furnace installed = $2000
I put a Chimney Balloon in my fireplace flue = $50
I calked my old style single pane windows = $5
I blew in another 12" of celulose attic insulation = $250
I foamed around my door jams with Great stuff. = $10

The time and money I sent on this stuff is minimal compared to a 20%
savings. I am thrilled!

Very cool. That should pay back inside a couple years or less!
Thanks for sharing the info.

What's the chimney balloon do for ya?

--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

What's the chimney balloon do for ya?


when fireplace not in use, it keeps room heat from going up flue & stops
the cold draft that is the result of having a missing, damaged, or warped
damper

"DIYman" wrote in message
m...
I was kind of freaked about natural gas prices since I got two notices
from Alliant Energy that they were hiking prices. I read some tips on
the DOE website about how to weather proof and save heat this winter.
I did a few things and spent about $2500. I got my first two natuaral
gas bill and was pleasantly surprised when I comared to my last years
gas bill. I saved 20% this month and last month. This is what I did.

90% efficient powervent furnace installed = $2000
I put a Chimney Balloon in my fireplace flue = $50
I calked my old style single pane windows = $5
I blew in another 12" of celulose attic insulation = $250
I foamed around my door jams with Great stuff. = $10

The time and money I sent on this stuff is minimal compared to a 20%
savings. I am thrilled!


You would have been even more thrilled had you waited until January 1st to
make those improvements at which time they would also have yielded big tax
savings...

Patrick

"Long Wang" writes:

What's the chimney balloon do for ya?


when fireplace not in use, it keeps room heat from going up flue & stops
the cold draft that is the result of having a missing, damaged, or warped
damper

Ah....


--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Excellent! Now with the money you save, put it into additional energy
saving things over the next 5 or so years. Energy Star double pane windows,
Energy Star appliances, etc.

Over time, you will see your cost of living going down rather than up.


"DIYman" wrote in message
I was kind of freaked about natural gas prices since I got two notices
from Alliant Energy that they were hiking prices. I read some tips on
the DOE website about how to weather proof and save heat this winter.
I did a few things and spent about $2500. I got my first two natuaral
gas bill and was pleasantly surprised when I comared to my last years
gas bill. I saved 20% this month and last month. This is what I did.

90% efficient powervent furnace installed = $2000
I put a Chimney Balloon in my fireplace flue = $50
I calked my old style single pane windows = $5
I blew in another 12" of celulose attic insulation = $250
I foamed around my door jams with Great stuff. = $10

The time and money I sent on this stuff is minimal compared to a 20%
savings. I am thrilled!

"Patrick Cleburne" mgcleburne@csa writes:

You would have been even more thrilled had you waited until January 1st to
make those improvements at which time they would also have yielded big tax
savings...

Is there a new credit going into place? I missed the memo.

--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Todd is correct.
You could have received a $150 tax credit for the new furance.

see attached link
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/...1-breaks_x.htm

wrote:

Todd is correct.
You could have received a $150 tax credit for the new furance.

see attached link
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/...1-breaks_x.htm

Does that mean furnace prices will be going up about $150 on Jan. 1?

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

Todd H. wrote:

"Long Wang" writes:


What's the chimney balloon do for ya?


when fireplace not in use, it keeps room heat from going up flue & stops
the cold draft that is the result of having a missing, damaged, or warped
damper


Ah....


--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Just don't forget it's there next time you want to roast chestnuts.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

On Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:03:45 GMT, lid (DIYman) wrote:

90% efficient powervent furnace installed = $2000
I put a Chimney Balloon in my fireplace flue = $50
I calked my old style single pane windows = $5
I blew in another 12" of celulose attic insulation = $250
I foamed around my door jams with Great stuff. = $10

The time and money I sent on this stuff is minimal compared to a 20%
savings. I am thrilled!

Excellent choices.

Two other steps I might suggest;

1. A programmable thermostat ( about $30 )
I have ours set to drop temp to 62 from 10 pm to 6am.


2. Inexpensive shrink-wrap kits for some of your windows.
The DO work.


rj