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  1. Sodbuster New Member

    joined: Sep 22, 2012
    54 posts
    Hartland, MI
    Motor7, what was your power bill running before, and how much did you spend to buy the LED's they are kind of spendy aren't they?
    #51

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  2. Seasoned Oak Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 17, 2008
    2,031 posts
    Eastern Central PA
    As BGreen said a regular furnace fan that distributes air through duct work is about 1000 CFM so you need some HP to move larger volumes of air. I still have a ten degree difference between the 1st floor temps and the second floor so i definitely dont want to use a smaller fan.
  3. Motor7 Burning Hunk

    joined: Nov 10, 2009
    205 posts
    East TN.
    I didn't have a power bill....I built the house myself, started in July of '11 and finished 98% by this fall. I have about $400 in LED bulbs now and the only thing not led are the track lights in the great room....18 small 50w bulbs. We use these all the time so when I can afford it I am going to swap them out & I am guessing this will knock off another 10-15$ off my bill. All the appliances are brand new and all high effecient. I went with Propane instant hot water, cooktop and ventless fireplace(Ahhhhhmmmmbbbeeeaance) so you have to factor in that cost. This is the first time In my life I have ever had gas and we were kinda free with it at first. Then I noticed how much we used, so the ventless does not run much anymore at all unless we have company.

    Long range plan is that first I am going to build a solar hot water panel this summer. The propane hot water heater is great but it is sucking the bulk of the gas so by sending already heated water to it from the sun it will kick on much much less. Then it's solar panels across the Southern facing porch roof which is 44' long. Panels are now down to a dollar a watt so it is very affordable. I'll grid tie for now, but want to be off grid in a year or two.

    LED bulbs have been getting better in quality and the price has been falling steadily for the past year. Bulb life is supposed to be 20 years & at an average price now of <$20 a bulb make it doable. I bought 4 at a time every time I was in HD until I had enough. The house needs to be all LED to maximize the future solar panels. Best "guestament" is that I am saving $20 a month so it will take 2-3 years to pay them off....then it's all langniappe==c
  4. Motor7 Burning Hunk

    joined: Nov 10, 2009
    205 posts
    East TN.
    I will most likely have to add a few more of those fans, but I am trying real hard to stay away from anything that draws high amps. I think I can do it, it's just going to take some trial and error.

    Oh and ZIP...sorry for the hijack/sidetrack:cool:
  5. Seasoned Oak Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 17, 2008
    2,031 posts
    Eastern Central PA
    Theres no substitute for CFMs in moving the heat up to the floor above. Only other thing that works is a large floor register directly above the stove.
  6. MishMouse Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 18, 2008
    614 posts
    Verndale, MN
    Ziprich, is the AB working correctly?
    Have you checked to see if the AB is clogged with ash?
    Have you checked the AB for damage?

    This year I was having a hard time to get the AB active and running properly.
    Thus I was getting less heat from my TL300.
    During the annual cleaning and checking I had them check the AB and it had a worn spot on it.
    So I had it replaced and it was last night and day.

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