Electricity Usage

This is our home electrical usage. We’re working to reduce it.

Increased our use of electricity made from renewable sources from 50% to 100% on 09MAY2009. In Wisconsin, that means changing from coal to wind.

Electricity use went up about 25% the same week the dehumidifier in the basement started running in May.

Summertime is our time of big electricity use. Here are some of the issues and possible solutions.

Summer Problems Possible Solutions Solution Side Effects
Central Air Conditioning Deal with it Crabbiness
Find other ways to keep cool
Spend more time in basement Spending more time in the basement means
inhaling more radon.
Add more insulation to attic
floor
Get hot air out of attic
Dehumidifier in basement
runs, does not run in Winter		 Tolerate more humidity in basement Could cause more mold and mildew in the basement.
Refrigerator runs more Super-insulate Refrigerator will last longer
Freezer runs more Move it from garage to basement Will make basement somewhat warmer in Winter,
not good for other food storage. Freezer will probably run more in the
Winter in the basement than it would have if it were in the garage.
Super-insulate Freezer will last longer
Attic fan runs Turn up thermostat on fan
Disconnect it
Buy and install solar attic
fans		 Have to make holes in the roof, increasing
liklihood of leaks. Also, they’re not cheap, starting at around $300.

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