Peak electricity usage today

[This is a retro-posting from 19 May 2007.]

Today was the most power hungry day we've ever had. Following the new theory of heating the spaces not the occupants - we had all three electric heaters on full blast to keep us warm.

The data was: outside temp 7.6 degrees C, inside temp 21.4 degrees C, 68.6 electricity units used costing $10.49. Ouch!

Home energy efficiency audit

We had Barry from Negawatt Resources Ltd come in and do a home energy audit for us.

• Ceiling insulation is more effective if it is layed over the rafters, not between them. The rafter act as a bit of a thermal conductor.
• it's healthier for the home and it's occupants if you heat the spaces people live in rather than try to heat the people directly (by huddling infront of a heater). Ideally leave most of the interior doors open and heat all the main rooms.
  
• We should get rid of the 3 bar electric heater we were using in the lounge and buy oil filled electrix heaters with thermostats. And don't buy the small ones.
• Better to install a clothes dryer than dry cloths on a rack inside. Better still - dry clothes outside.
  

Temperature monitoring

Baught a $35 indoor/outdoor temp plus relative humidity gauge from Dick Smith today. I'll add that data to my daily power usage spreadsheet.