[Greenbuilding] A "Night-time SET-BACK" for ypur furnace thermostat", a "FOOLER" and some Ben Franklin's sayings.

[Corwyn]

On Jan 20, 2008, at 06:45, Carroll Hampleman wrote:

> From: Carroll Hampleman [mailto:trackthesun at yahoo.com
> A "Fooler". and some of Ben Franklin's sayings: "Heating with wood".
> FROM: Mr. Carroll D. Hampleman Call me Carroll email: 
> trackthesun at yahoo.com
> Development of simple D.I.Y. "SOLAR" plans for the home-owner. (E-Mail 
> for other info)
> A "FOOLER" (I have seen this many times, written different ways)
> Construct your own device to automatically LOWER your household 
> thermostat at night-time, before bedtime, and automatically RAISE the 
> thermostat (Oh, about an hour, or so.) in the morning, before you get 
> up. Less than $10 dollars, or so, and possibly can be constructed with 
> surplus materials found under the workbench AT NO COST! This device 
> will "save" you "dozens" of dollars each heating season, and also 
> serve as a "night-light".
> Items needed: ONE 24 hour timer (110 VAC) : approx $5.00 - local 
> Hardware Store. ONE used "Christmas Tree" light. Procedure: Plug the 
> Timer into an electrical outlet. Set it so the small light will go ON, 
> about one hour before Bed-Time - and go OFF about one hour before you 
> get up in the morning. Use a piece of electric lightcord, and string 
> the small light to a position about three or four inches UNDER the 
> thermostat. Note: Can be adjusted, for different "Life-styles".

You can but a programmable thermostat for around $20, and it will use 
much less electricity than the bulb and timer in this device.  Also the 
'no cost' of constructing one of these is actually a time cost (which 
depending on how you value your time, could be much more expensive than 
the $10 difference).  Many programmable thermostats have settings for 
individual days of the week, multiple different set points, daytime 
settings, making them more useful (though you will need to pay $10 or 
so more).

(Yes, I am aware of the cost of 'cheap' goods, such as this)

Personally, I think we should spend money on insulation and air 
tightening, until we aren't losing enough heat at night to make either 
of these useful.

Thank You Kindly,

Corwyn


-- 
Corwyn
Kermit didn't know the half of it...
http://www.greenfret.com/
corwyn at greenfret.com