My ancient flip phone's camera gave up the ghost a long while back, the camera was pretty crummy, low resolution and small so losing didn't bother me. Now I could get a new one with a nice camera but it costs about twice what my current phone costs plus they want $30 additional for the privilege of buying the phone. I think I am going to check out PureTalk USA.
My ancient flip phone's camera gave up the ghost a long while back, the camera was pretty crummy, low resolution and small so losing didn't bother me. Now I could get a new one with a nice camera but it costs about twice what my current phone costs plus they want $30 additional for the privilege of buying the phone. I think I am going to check out PureTalk USA.
Cable doesn't run out here the return won't match the cost. I had Direct TV until Mrs CMD realized that we were pay $145 per month so that I could watch college football and curse at the news. We re-ordered our financial priorities. If only I hadn't started complaining then she would not have looked into it. A failing of mine, I never learned to shut-up.
I installed 3 Nest learning thermostats in my house a year ago. They take a little getting used till they learn your habits and comfort levels. Duke Energy had a special at the time $125ea, so a small investment. I could tell right away we were saving money on the electric bill. I got an report this week my yearly cost it was $1080 less than from the previous year, so it's paying off. I have not got July's bill yet which is usually our hottest month. but they send me a projection cost saying $140, last year it was $220. Oh and my wife keeps it around 70° all year. The biggest way the thermostats saves is it changes the temperature when you are not using that part of the house or not at home. The downside it's another tracking device, you set it up on your cell to recognize when your home and not moving around your house, like when you are in bed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SD888P...&pd_rd_r=1ead899b-6cc4-438d-9795-14be73a7f1ee
I'm newer to smartphone myself and get them from Amazon, using T-mobile $3 mth plan.
understand its operating principle
verify its power source
verify the failure
obtain tech data and parts
fix it or replace it
verify its power source
verify the failure
obtain tech data and parts
fix it or replace it
I am making the attempt to avoid every tracking device, cookie, "smart" thing that I can, my personal preference My thought is that Duke energy or my local "not-for-profit" co-op need not know my comings, my goings and my movements or lack thereof throughout the house. That being said, those are some very tempting savings.
Question: do you have multiple heat /air units and thermostats to service various areas of your house? Our unit is one thermostat and one blower, either heat or air, it is either on or off with me setting different areas by adjusting the vents more or less closed.
Okay anyone familiar with the concept of A/C "banking" which involves checking how much your electricity costs at different times of day and then overcooling it and using the house as a "temperature sink" during peak usage times?
My husband swears by it and I'm not a big fan. It usually means I'm uncomfortably cold or slightly hot a great deal of the time.
But, does it work?? I mean.... .Maybe it does if the cost of electricity is enough at different times or whatever.
IDK, I need something definitive on cost savings if I am going to allow this to continue.
Anna
My husband swears by it and I'm not a big fan. It usually means I'm uncomfortably cold or slightly hot a great deal of the time.
But, does it work?? I mean.... .Maybe it does if the cost of electricity is enough at different times or whatever.
IDK, I need something definitive on cost savings if I am going to allow this to continue.
Anna
I think it will be hard to get specific about savings without looking into the building's usage history and design as well as the utility rate structure. Here's a study evaluating this strategy in two cities, Sacramento and Phoenix, using a regular and highly efficient home design. https://aceee.org/files/proceedings/2014/data/papers/1-768.pdf Figure 4 in that paper gives an idea of the savings between a flat setting and a pre-cooling strategy in a climate like yours in a typical home.
In a nutshell, there may be savings of up to 10% in a regular home and possibly double or more in a tight, efficient home that has a great deal of thermal mass to "bank" the cool, in areas with many days near 100 degrees. The hotter the temperatures and less efficient the home, these savings appear to drop while usage goes up a bit.
Perhaps adjusting the pre-cooling period up a degree or two while dropping the peak thermostat setting a degree or two would provide much of the savings while increasing your comfort level. Another option may be to simply use this strategy on work days and not when you're home most of the day. On work days one could also shift the pre-cooling forward to start a bit closer to when you leave to avoid the chill.
Satisfy your partner's need to maximize savings to some degree
while keeping you just a little uncomfortable - a perfect compromise!My electric company (Duke) emailed me notifying me of some phone app I can use to monitor my electric usage. Probably only serves to depress me so I doubt I'll use it but I'll check it out anyway. Maybe I'll find something interesting on it like how to put the Kwh on my neighbor's meter.
We replaced our thermostat last year also. I don't care for the one I chose, it kicks on and off A LOT. I can't remember the term for it, but basically the temp rises .5 degree before it cycles on, and only cools .5 degree before shutting down. I've read that is hard on the system. Our power usage is down, but I think only because there are less people here.
Bridge, it's called short cycling. It's not always thermostat designs. Could be placement of the thermostat too. Might want to check out some You Tube videos for some tips to solve your problem. Perhaps put a cover over the thermostat so it isn't sensitive to drafts or air currents. I'd look at some tips and try them out. If it doesn't help then consider another thermostat because I agree, over-cycling is hard on an AC/Furnace. Turning anything electrical on and off a lot is taxing. And your HVAC equipment costs a hell of a lot more than a thermostat.
During the recent heat wave and any day that gets nearly that hot, I just turn the temperature way down first thing in the morning. Keeps it running the full day.
Oh, lucked out just now. Basement part of ac unit was leaking muchly. Watched fairly good utube and unclogged the condensate drain fairly easily. Fair amt of water still in the bottom of the unit draining slowly out but pump works fine. Hardly had an issue with my ol Lennox. 24yrs til it died. hardly an issue. I'll pour some clorox thru later.
As I avoid all things "smart" this is not a concern of mine but I wonder at the number of people who pay money to bring this into their homes and their lives. I suppose this is a "to each their own" sort of thing.
Apple contractors 'regularly hear confidential details' on Siri recordings
Apple contractors 'regularly hear confidential details' on Siri recordings
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My thermostat has the option to operate with either a one or a two degree variation from the setting. I am giving some thought to changing from the current option of one degree variance to a two degree variance. Less wear and tear, what's your thought?
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