Reduce Winter Heating Costs by 50%

Purdue college scientists show us 1 great method to reduce 50% of winter home heating costs


Researchers at Purdue University are working on a new research project that promises the opportunity to reduce heating bill in half for those who reside in very cold climates. The analysis, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, builds on previous work that began about 5 years ago at Purdue's Ray W. Herrick Laboratories.

Heat pumps provide heating in winter and cooling in summer but are not efficient in extreme cold climates. The study involves changes to the way heat pumps operate to make them more effective in extreme cold temperatures.

The new technology works by modifying the traditional vapor-compression cycle behind standard air con and refrigeration.

The usual vapor-compression cycle has four stages:

1. Refrigerant is compressed as a vapor
2. Condenses into a liquid
3. Expands to a combination of liquid and vapor
4. Then evaporates

The project will investigate two cooling approaches during the compression process.

In one approach, relatively large volumes of oil are injected into the compressor to absorb heat generated throughout the compression stage.

In the second approach, a mixture of liquid and vapor refrigerant from the expansion stage is injected at various points during compression to supply cooling.
The brand new heat pumps might be half as expensive to operate as heating technologies now employed in cold regions where natural gas is unavailable and residents make use of electric heaters and liquid propane.

In the meanwhile here some ways to improve you home air quality and save energy:

- Be certain your thermostat is located in an area that is not too cold or hot.

- Install an automatic timer to maintain the thermostat at 68 degrees in daytime and 55 degrees during the night time.

- Use storm or thermal windows in colder areas. The layer of air between the windows acts as insulation and helps keep the heat inside the places you want it.

- If you haven't already, insulate your attic and all outside walls.

- Insulate floors over unheated spaces such as your basement, any crawl spaces plus your garage.

- Close off the attic, garage, basement, spare bedrooms and storage areas. Heat only those rooms that you use.

- Seal gaps around any pipes, wires, vents or other openings that could transfer your heat to areas that are not heated.
- Dust is a wonderful insulator and tends to build up on radiators and baseboard heat vents.


Most people do not know that common indoor air quality practices reduce home air heating costs too:
- Rain and moist may bring moisture indoors, creating dampness, mold and mildew -- big problems for healthy indoor air. Look at your roof, foundation and basement or crawlspace once a year to catch leaks or moisture problems and route water away from your home's foundation.

- Help keep asthma triggers away from your property by fixing leaks and drips once they start. Standing water and high humidity encourage the growth of dust mites, mold and mildew -- probably the most common triggers that can worsen asthma. Make use of a dehumidifier or ac unit if needed, and clean both regularly.

- High levels of moisture at home increase dampness and the growth of mold, which not only damage your home but threaten health. Install and run exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove unhealthy moisture and odors from your home.

- Ventilate your kitchen stove directly outside or open a kitchen window when you cook. Keeping exhaust -- including cooking odors and particles -- outside of your home prevents dangerous fumes and particles from harming you or your family.
About me - Rosalind Dall writes for the ductless split system air conditioner blog, her personal hobby blog focused entirely on tips to help people consume less energy and purify indoor air.

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