Energy efficiency FAQ for visitors
Energy efficiency questions from visitors - your chance to ask or answer
I have a main Home energy efficiency questions page where I link to over 120 pages of efficiency questions and answers on Green Energy Efficient Homes. If the answer you're after (or the question you're asking) isn't already covered, why not ask it here?
You can also view questions answered here that weren't covered in the main FAQ, or answer any questions you see here where you think you know the answer. Feel free to comment on the answers provided by others as well.
Ask or Answer an Energy Efficiency Question
Do you have an energy efficiency question you don't see answered on our main energy efficiency page? Why not ask it here, and get it answered on Green Energy Efficient Homes?
You can also answer a question yourself by commenting on a question, or you can comment on someone else's answer to a question.
Other people's questions
Click below to see questions asked by others on this page
High humidity in house
We have a very well insulated house and are struggling with high humidity levels. We live in north-central Alberta, Canada and have had high humidity in ...
Water flow rate for appliances
I am on a solar decathalon team, and we are trying to size our pumps for supplying water to the house. In order to do this, we need to know the maximum ...
Encapsulating a Crawl Space
I am thinking of sealing my crawl space, according to the information in your Crawl space heater article. In that article it states to not use a vapor ...
Venting a window AC unit
I would like to place a window AC unit in a 14x13 bedroom. There is only one window in a dormer area that faces east and I would prefer not putting it ...
Tankless water heater and front load washers
My home has a natural gas tankless water, but I recently purchased a new High Efficiency front load washer and have a question. I am not sure my new washer ...
Energy saving capacitors
Thank you for you article on " Energy Saving Capacitors . Perfect timing - we were about to buy one! My husband and I attended a meeting where there was ...
Recycling water with an inline heater
I am researching water and energy conservation technology as I redesign our master bathroom. My husband loves long showers because he has a stiff back ...
Old light fixtures
Will replacing old light fixtures with newer ones save money or energy? I have replaced all the bulbs in the house with CFLs. Our house is almost 100 ...
Geothermal vs. high-efficiency gas furnace
I have a gas furnace that is about 20 years old and on its last legs. I am considering replacing it with a geothermal system or a high-efficiency (96....
Closing heating registers
Will closing heating registers and room doors in the unused rooms of a two story Gambrel style home save energy in the winter months? Does this save any ...
Energy efficient coal power station
How can a coal power station be more energy efficient? Can a turbine be made to produce more electricity from the heat, or can the heat be reused somehow?...
Insulating my roof
How can I insulate a flat roof with a 12" cavity without risking moisture problems? I have a flat roof, built with roof boards directly on top of joists,...
Is an under sink water heater more efficient than a tank heater?
I'm trying to figure out how much electricity a small, under-sink water heater (with tank) uses. I want to know if it makes sense to get rid of a 50 gallon ...
Transparent insulating blinds
I would like to find a roll-up crystal clear insulating blind for the glass roof of my kitchen (slight slope) and them same for glass sliding doors 5 ...
Helpful to cover only some windows?
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Will covering only some windows with afghans help cut heat loss? I have four large windows in the living room and can't afford to get energy saving coverings ...
Solar panels vs. elastomeric white roof coating
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We already have solar panels on our house, 500 kw I believe, and we are wondering is it better to double that, we are being offered a good deal, or coat ...
No heat source at all
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I live in North Central Texas, in a rental house. The house has NO heat source! We are expecting our third grandchild in September, and will need the most ...
Are frost-free freezers more efficient?
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Frost-free freezers are usually less efficient than manual defrost freezers, because they use a fan to circulate air and prevent frost buildup. But ratings ...
New Heater vs. Old heater
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Is a new 110 v. portable heater more efficient than an old one that works fine? Answer from Green Energy Efficient Homes As I explain in Energy efficient ...
Programmable thermostat settings upstairs and downstairs
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I live in the Northeast and have programmable thermostats upstairs and downstairs. In colder months, since my young kids are at school all day and really ...
Energy saving value of window film shades
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Are transparent roll-up window shades really energy efficient? I am not sure what you call these shades ... I have seen them hanging in various places,...
Effective insulating window film
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I am interested in installing window film on interior residential windows to mainly reduce electricity use in winter due to oil/electricity-dependent baseboards....
Home heating efficiency
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Which provides the best home heating efficiency and lowest energy cost when using oil and a condenser boiler: Having the thermostat up higher for a shorter ...
Electric ceramic space heater
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I have gas heat. Is it more efficient to turn my thermostat down and use an electric ceramic space heater in the room I am in rather than heating all rooms?...
Window ac on fan mode
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Is it better to use a window AC on fan mode or to buy separate fans? I looked and looked nothing as simple a question on air conditioner fan mode. I have ...
LED light for extreme low temperatures
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In the north, outdoor lights need to function at temperatures of -40. I am putting up 4 motion sensitive outdoor spotlights and I would like to purchase ...
Should upstairs a/c run to help cool downstairs?
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Our 2 story home has 3 a/c units. The upstairs area is rarely used but is open enough that the air flows to the downstairs. Should we keep the upstairs ...
Closed vents in unused rooms
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Is it more energy efficient to close the vents in rooms that aren't used on a regular basis and keep the doors closed? Answer from Green Energy Efficient ...
Should I seal my crawl space?
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I have been approached by a man who recommends that I seal my crawl space in my 1800 square foot house. Is this a good idea, how much should it cost, and ...
Heat loss from gas fireplaces
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Will installing a gas fire in an existing open fire prevent heat loss up the chimney? If not what would you recommend? Answer from Green Energy Efficient ...
Where to locate registers
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I am planning to install central air in a 2 story colonial house. I have had two installers provide information/recommendations. I have a conflict between ...
Basement Insulation
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I live in a house that has insulation in the floor of the first floor, the basement ceiling. It is a walk-out basement so that half of the basement walls ...
Attic Ventilation
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Should roof/ridge vents span the entire length of the roof, and should there also be vents in the gables at each end of the roof? (Soffit ventilation ...
Water heaters in series
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Can a tankless hot water heater be hooked up in series with a conventional hot water heater to boost the temperature higher? ...
Heating for the conservatory
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Which electric wall heaters would be the cheapest to run per hour for using in my conservatory or greenhouse? ...
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
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Can landscaping really make a difference in a home's energy efficiency? If so, what are the key things I need to pay attention to? How do they differ based ...
Two small hot water tanks more efficient?
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Hi, if you have a small suite in your house, would it be more efficient to have two smaller hot water tanks, one for the house and one for the suite, or ...
Heat Pump
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My Heat pump seems to come on all the time, yet we have Roxul insulation and hardy plank siding. But it comes on constantly. The installer says the thermostats ...
Model and Price Right for 1350 square feet
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Is a YORK LX High Efficiency Furnace (96%) -2 stage Gas Valve & Variable Speed ECM Motor 60,000BTU/H installed for $6,550 + GST the right choice and reasonable ...
Nega Watt Box
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Which company produces Nega Watt Boxes and how do I buy one? Are they a good investment for a homeowner eager to save energy? Answer from Green Energy ...
Direct air geothermal
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Can one create a geothermal direct air system where underground tubing heats up air which can then be used to keep a small indoor space warm? Is it feasible ...
What is the most efficient roof?
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What roof is the most energy efficient for a home? I've heard that lighter shingles are better, and that a sod roof is the best, what practical advice ...
Long shower or warmer air temperature?
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I try to keep my thermostat set low to save energy. Instead I take a long, hot shower. Would I be better off turning up the heat and taking a shorter ...
Saving energy - public good or commons dilemma?
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Is saving energy a dilemma of the commons or an example of public goods? I know that in common dilemmas we need to decide how much to use from a common ...
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