(no subject)
Just got a shockingly high $850 2-month bill from Department of Water and Power. $130 Water (thats ok), $589 power (not ok) rest in fees and taxes. I assume it's air conditioner, but we have to do something to reduce our energy consumption.
Ultimately I would like solar power, but to do that I would need a new roof, and a new roof is about $25K. So, that is out for now.
I am thinking the next steps, in no order, are:
1) Replace our very old air conditioner with a modern one. That will increase our efficiency by half I think.
2) Get double paned windows.
3) Get an attic fan.
4) Get screens for the windows so we can actually use our windows without the cats getting out and bugs getting in.
The last two are much cheaper to do than the first two. In fact, the first estimate we got on a new air conditioner was outrageously high because he wanted to replace the duct work, which also required removing asbestos from the attic. I think we can start by just getting a new unit without the duct work, for now.
Still, it's costly, and money we do not have. Grrr.
Ultimately I would like solar power, but to do that I would need a new roof, and a new roof is about $25K. So, that is out for now.
I am thinking the next steps, in no order, are:
1) Replace our very old air conditioner with a modern one. That will increase our efficiency by half I think.
2) Get double paned windows.
3) Get an attic fan.
4) Get screens for the windows so we can actually use our windows without the cats getting out and bugs getting in.
The last two are much cheaper to do than the first two. In fact, the first estimate we got on a new air conditioner was outrageously high because he wanted to replace the duct work, which also required removing asbestos from the attic. I think we can start by just getting a new unit without the duct work, for now.
Still, it's costly, and money we do not have. Grrr.