Thinking of getting a digital thermostat - any other energy saving tips?

[BillGates]

I live in an apartment with gas heating and central air. We have a cheesy (analog?) thermostat which has readings that do not really match the setting that it is on. It uses the mercury filled glass tube to measure temp changes but must not be level or something...anyway, who cares about that.

I'm considering a digital thermostat that I can program to reduce temps overnight (and then use a cheaper-to-run electric blanket) and warm everything up again about an hour before I wake up in the morning. It would also be programmed to drop the temps while we (girlfriend and I) are at work and school.

I am pretty sure that setting up heating/cooling programs will save us some money (currently bills for gas & electric combined are $80-$120).



I have also thought of that saran wrap stuff you put over the windows and apply with a hair dryer - is that stuff worth it?


Any other energy saving tips you guys can think of?? Remember this is an apartment so I can't start ripping off the sheetrock and adding more insulation!

 

[0roo0roo]

the window sealers are worth it supposedly. that i havn't tried. i did change the thermostat though. i don't think the digital one is anymore accurate then a good manual, but the programming eliminates human error no more forgetting to shut it off. anyways make sure to get one that has settings for all 7 days, some cheesy ones have only 5 weekday settings and a general weekend setting

 

[apoppin]

I replaced ALL the bulbs in my house with CFLs. That was enough for a 20% drop in energy usage (to qualify for S Cali Edison's rebate).

I am also looking to the very simplest solar hot water system - a "record" (black hose coils on the roof). Of course, that won't work for an apt.

 

[ElFenix]

evadman had a nice post last night. while putting in new fill wouldn't be possible, the weather stripping would help a bit

might want to think about window treatments... you can get some pretty heavy drapes which are a better insulator than just the glass.

 

[ElFenix]

oh, underclock!

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
the window sealers are worth it supposedly. that i havn't tried. i did change the thermostat though. i don't think the digital one is anymore accurate then a good manual, but the programming eliminates human error no more forgetting to shut it off. anyways make sure to get one that has settings for all 7 days, some cheesy ones have only 5 weekday settings and a general weekend setting

I'm mostly concerned with the program functions of the digital thermostat. I will also look into the window coverings - our windows are (I believe) single paned with no storm windows, so I imagine they let in their share of cool air, or at least make the air around them cold. The only problem with the plastic window covering is that my cat LOVES licking on packaging tape from boxes for some reason, so I'm sure he'd like to lick the window coverings. I guess it's worth a shot anyway. I wonder if our landlord would get ticked off if we filled the space between the window and plastic with insulation, heh.

Another problem is that we have a 3 panel, only one of which slides. The thing takes up an entire wall of our living room and probably isn't as efficient at keeping warm air in as a well-insulated wall would.

The bill isn't HUGE to share between 2 people but to save $20-40 a month total on electricity would rule - that means more money for toys.

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
oh, underclock!

Hehe, I'll let you know how underclocking my furnace goes.