Comments on: Why Am I Using More Electricity In The Winter? http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/ SolarDave: DIY Solar Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:52:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alan http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-531 Alan Fri, 29 May 2009 20:22:14 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-531 Do you have a programmable thermostat? If not I'd try one as this will save you gas/electric in the overnight hours. Do you know at what temperature your furnace runs at during the day in the winter? One degree can be the difference between the furnace running all day and running occasionally. The new efficient furnaces may run more frequently for shorter periods as there is a smaller temperature variance when using these. How many speeds does your furnace fan motor have? Most new efficient furnaces can have anywhere from 4 to as many as 14 speeds usually run on low voltage. Does your furnace have a one stage or 2 stage gas valve? The new high efficiency furnaces have 2 stages. I just replaced my hvac system last year and used about the same amount of electricity during this winters heating season even though the avg daily temp was 3-4 degrees colder than last year. Do you have a programmable thermostat? If not I’d try one as this will save you gas/electric in the overnight hours. Do you know at what temperature your furnace runs at during the day in the winter? One degree can be the difference between the furnace running all day and running occasionally. The new efficient furnaces may run more frequently for shorter periods as there is a smaller temperature variance when using these. How many speeds does your furnace fan motor have? Most new efficient furnaces can have anywhere from 4 to as many as 14 speeds usually run on low voltage. Does your furnace have a one stage or 2 stage gas valve? The new high efficiency furnaces have 2 stages. I just replaced my hvac system last year and used about the same amount of electricity during this winters heating season even though the avg daily temp was 3-4 degrees colder than last year.

]]> By: Kin http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Kin Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:10:55 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-477 So if you think a bit about it, if it's only the fan to that consumes too much energy, it's really not much of an issue. It's additional electrical heating element to the furnace. Slightly less cost efficient, but not horrible? I've always tried to think like that. So if you think a bit about it, if it’s only the fan to that consumes too much energy, it’s really not much of an issue. It’s additional electrical heating element to the furnace. Slightly less cost efficient, but not horrible? I’ve always tried to think like that.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-464 Patrick Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:17:08 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-464 I am trying to figure out myself where I am using up 300 KW/H a month even in the winter. I am figuring that 6.5 amps * 120 volts=780 watts. figure the blower is running at least 5 hours a day? If that is roughly correct, there is 150 KW/h right there. My blower motor is probably also about 6.5 amps. Not sure what to do about this.... I am trying to figure out myself where I am using up 300 KW/H a month even in the winter. I am figuring that 6.5 amps * 120 volts=780 watts. figure the blower is running at least 5 hours a day? If that is roughly correct, there is 150 KW/h right there. My blower motor is probably also about 6.5 amps. Not sure what to do about this….

]]> By: Ed http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-442 Ed Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:02:23 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-442 I installed a new 90% efficient, 95,000 BTU furnace to replace a 25 year old 125,000 BTU model. My gas use went down about 40 therm per month (25% as suggested by the reduction in furnace BTU). My electric use went up about 150 KW per month over previous years. Apparently the special combustion blower and slightly larger circulation fan are real electricity hogs. I installed a new 90% efficient, 95,000 BTU furnace to replace a 25 year old 125,000 BTU model. My gas use went down about 40 therm per month (25% as suggested by the reduction in furnace BTU). My electric use went up about 150 KW per month over previous years. Apparently the special combustion blower and slightly larger circulation fan are real electricity hogs.

]]> By: Dave http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Dave Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:56:30 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-428 I have a gas water heater. I have a gas water heater.

]]> By: sjvista http://www.solardave.com/index.php/why-am-i-using-more-electricity-in-the-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-426 sjvista Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:58:54 +0000 http://www.solardave.com/?p=410#comment-426 I could be that the blower on your furnace is using lots of juice. Also - do you have a gas water heater or electric? Might be helpful to watch the meter when the furnace blower kicks in. I could be that the blower on your furnace is using lots of juice. Also – do you have a gas water heater or electric?

Might be helpful to watch the meter when the furnace blower kicks in.

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