SENSIBLE HOME
Sensible Home: Seal, insulate attic opening
Dear Jim: I just moved into a new house and I went up into the attic to store some holiday decorations. There was no insulation on the cover or seals around it. Shouldn’t the cover be insulated and sealed?
By By James Dulley , February 01, 2013
Sensible Home: For simple solar option, try window heater 
Dear Jim: I would like to use some free solar heating in a south-facing kitchen. I cannot afford to have a system installed professionally. What type of simple solar heater can I build myself for one room?
By By James Dulley , January 04, 2013
Sensible Home: Use dampers on duct to control temperature in different rooms
Dear Jim: Some rooms in our house are too hot or too cold, and someone is always complaining. What can we do to even out the room temperatures to keep everyone happy. Will doing this lower our utility bills?
By By James Dulley , December 07, 2012
Sensible Home: Automatic vent fans most efficient
Dear Jim: Our bathroom vent fan has been getting noisier for years, so I want to install a new quiet one. How can I tell which are most quiet? Is it more energy efficient to run the vent fan or open the window?
By By James Dulley , November 02, 2012
Sensible Home: Perform your own energy audit
Dear Jim: I don’t have a huge budget to work with, but I would like to make my house more energy efficient. Instead of spending some of it on a professional energy audit, how can I do an energy audit myself?
By By James Dulley , October 05, 2012
Sensible Home: Use appliance right to maximize energy
Dear Jim: I prefer to use the kitchen range/oven for cooking, but heard using small countertop appliances is more efficient. Is this true, and is there a simple way to determine which appliances are the best to use?
By By James Dulley , September 07, 2012
Sensible Home: Mini-split system more efficient than window AC
Dear Jim: We added a room, but our central air conditioner doesn’t cool it well. Our second floor master bedroom also does not stay cool. Does it make sense to install a window air conditioner or a mini-split system?
By By James Dulley , August 03, 2012
Sensible Home: Foil can decrease AC bills
Dear Jim: I opened the attic access panel in my closet to get a box and the heat was staggering. We have plenty of attic insulation, so is this increasing our cooling costs? If so, what can we do to reduce the heat?
By By James Dulley , July 06, 2012
Sensible Home: Consider rolling shutter to minimize energy use
Dear Jim: The sun bakes us through a large window. We also have a fireplace for heating in that room. Would installing a rolling shutter save energy and improve comfort? I am also concerned about security and storms.
By By James Dulley , June 01, 2012
Sensible Home: Skylight reduces power needs
Dear Jim: I want to reduce my electric bills especially with the upcoming summer’s air-conditioning costs. I thought about installing a skylight or tubular skylight so I need fewer lights. Which would be best?
By By James Dulley , May 04, 2012
Sensible Home: Replace wood doors for better insulation
Dear Jim: My wood front door needs to be refinished again. When I put my hand on it, it feels cold, and I think I can feel a chilly breeze around it. Would a stainable fiberglass door be a good replacement for it?
By By James Dulley , April 06, 2012
Sensible Home: Ventilation system can help combat stale indoor air
Dear Jim: The indoor air gets stale and too dry or too humid during winter and summer when we heat or air-condition. Is there any efficient way to get fresh air indoors without opening windows and wasting energy?
By By James Dulley , March 02, 2012
Sensible Home: Gas, propane furnace will reduce utility bills
Dear Jim: We are retired and our interest income from bank CD’s is not what it used to be. I thought about replacing our gas furnace to lower our utility bills. What is the most efficient design available?
By By James Dulley , February 03, 2012
Sensible Home: Fireplace logs alternative to regular firewood
Dear Jim: I always buy firewood to use in my open fireplace. I burn it just for ambiance, not really for heat. I thought about using fireplace logs instead. Are they as efficient and as good for the environment?
By By James Dulley , January 06, 2012
Sensible Home: Smaller refrigerator will be more energy efficient
Dear Jim: Our refrigerator is pretty old, and I would like to get a new, more efficient one. We are empty-nesters now, so I am wondering if it makes sense to get a smaller one, but perhaps one with more features?
By By James Dulley , December 02, 2011
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