Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [cost-effective]

32 questions
14
votes
4 answers

If my 120 volt toaster oven draws 14 amps on high & my oven draws 12 amps on high, which one would use less electricity to bake a pizza?

An article from my AARP magazine suggests using a toaster oven vs a regular full size electric oven to bake a pizza, make a dinner, bake a pie, etc because it would use about half of the electricity so save on the electric bill. Problem is, The…
Michael Jay
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12
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5 answers

Most cost effective thermostat setting: consistent temperature vs. lowest temperature possible

The problem: Our heating bills are about 25% higher than our average neighbors according to our bill, yet our temperature is always as low as we can stand it (mid 50's), we have excellent insulation throughout the house, we don't have drafty…
David
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7
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2 answers

Why would you ever choose open-cell spray foam?

I've been researching spray foam for the attic in my Maryland house built in 1901. Currently it's a vented attic, and we've decided to spray foam the bottom of the roof deck, turning the attic into un-vented conditioned space. The insulation…
TCK
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5
votes
2 answers

Cheap wood-ish replacement for glass panel in door

This question is similar to another one already on SE but this one focuses on the task as a repair issue rather than as a remodeling one. How can I cheaply and easily (I am a layperson) create a stable, opaque "replacement" for a broken glass pane…
errantlinguist
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3 answers

How can I refresh the finish on my kitchen cabinets?

I am getting ready to put my house on the market and I would like to clean \ "restore" my kitchen cabinets. They are an oak cabinet that aren't painted, they are stained. I don't know exactly what finish is on them. They are the original builder…
Web
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2 answers

Can upgrading my boiler save me money?

I've just received my annual gas usage statement. It came as a surprise to me that I'm using almost the average gas consumption in the UK. The average is 16,500kWh and I used 15,000kWh over the year. The reason this comes as a surprise is because I…
Paul Fleming
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3
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1 answer

Building a Retaining Wall Next to Fence

I would like to replace an existing retaining wall (pictured) which is falling apart with one that is as close as possible to the fence line to reclaim some of our back yard from the drive way. Our plan would be to then cut the asphalt back from 14'…
Clay Norris
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2 answers

Cost of adjusting the thermostat

Is it more cost effective to (1) play with the thermostat by lowering it at times that you're not home or needing the heat and raising it back later or (2) leaving the temperature on a set amount and letting it maintain this heat. I'm asking because…
TFK
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Are products like redguard fit for use as a waterproofing membrane for shower pans or floor applications?

Given that you pour your own pan - lets not worry about the exact material but obviously it would be porous. Can you use a "waterproofing paint" to create your pan without any other waterproofing membrane? This question Building on top of 3/4''…
DMoore
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How can I trust a local window manufacturer? What to research or check?

I'd like to support local and there's 3 companies nearby that offer custom made vinyl windows. They all seem to be >30 year old companies, which I respect a lot. I did a ton of research it seems like 2 out of 3 of the companies build windows using…
kavisiegel
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How to reduce my electric bill

Update Learned a ton about heat pumps, and wondering about Solar. Does anyone in the northeast have solar roofs? (solar shingles) I live in an all electric home (single family detached house) in New York City, and my electric bill give me…
Costa Michailidis
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vote
1 answer

Which is better indirect or tankless hotwater heater

I am in the process of getting my boiler and hot water heater replaced. One company gave me a quote for a Weil McLain boiler and indirect hot water heater. Another company gave me a quote for a bosh boiler with a tankless hot water heater built in.…
MOE12
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Real world difference between a 0.18 W/m^2k U-value and 0.22 W/m^2k U-value

I'm currently choosing the thickness of the PIR insulation I will use for the ground floor (first floor US) in my house. It's a traditional (UK) suspended timber floor build with concrete foundations under the suspended floor (about 50cm of crawl…
abdnChap
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How to estimate and compare operating costs of gas vs electric furnace?

My home has an old electric, central furnace. All of my neighbors are on natural gas. I pay 5-6 times as much as they do on my heating bills during winter months. I can either convert my home to natural gas or install an electric heat pump. Air…
Village
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stats on *total* cost of high-efficiency boiler?

Not trying to start a subjective debate here, just looking for some objective statistics. I get that high-efficiency boilers are much more efficient, and will save big bucks over their lifetime in terms of fuel saved. I get that they're more…
Steve Summit
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