Down the up staircase

I can't get the notion out of my head that the energy used to get upstairs in one's home could (mostly) be recovered on the down trip and put to good use. An example would be riding down a platform to lift a dumbwaiter full of firewood from the basement. Any Ideas?

Yes, it's a nasty day out and the Ash Can is way to depressing for me at this time.

And a related question; if I stored this energy, in a spring say, how many down trips would it take to get me a free return trip. Use my considerable winter 200lbs. for calks..

A ranch house?

I suppose, if it's over a garage with a staircase.