It will increase your electric bill much more than it will reduce your heating bill.
Sent from my RCT6A03W13E using Tapatalk
Sent from my RCT6A03W13E using Tapatalk
Alternative heating idea - out of the box thinking
A passing thought...
I have a ranch house... in my attic - unfinished, I have string lighting... with 40 wat bulbs... its throse string lights from harbor frieght, covers 80% of the attic, right down the middle...
So I am curious...
If I turn on the attic lights... and leave them on... would that offset my heating oil usage?
I am more curious than anything, as I will be raising the temp of the attic, wouldnt heat transfer from the ceilings also drop?
I have 6" fiberglass, with 6-10" of blown in insulation - which I plan to double/triple in the next 2 years.
I have a ranch house... in my attic - unfinished, I have string lighting... with 40 wat bulbs... its throse string lights from harbor frieght, covers 80% of the attic, right down the middle...
So I am curious...
If I turn on the attic lights... and leave them on... would that offset my heating oil usage?
I am more curious than anything, as I will be raising the temp of the attic, wouldnt heat transfer from the ceilings also drop?
I have 6" fiberglass, with 6-10" of blown in insulation - which I plan to double/triple in the next 2 years.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Yes, it would lower the oil consumption a little.
How many 40 watt bulbs are in the attic.
Whats your electric rate, and how much did you, pay for the oil.
How many 40 watt bulbs are in the attic.
Whats your electric rate, and how much did you, pay for the oil.
I'll be a bit sarcastic (sorry), you might as well build a campfire in the front yard.
Attic ventilation in a cold climate attempts to keep the attic the same temperature as the outside. Warming the attic with a bunch of insulation there will do very little to affect heat loss through the ceiling and most of that heat will be exhausted through the high vents, which you cannot/should not close.
If you like having lights up there, install LEDs (which won't save much either).
As for reducing your heating/energy costs, we can do that.
Bud
Attic ventilation in a cold climate attempts to keep the attic the same temperature as the outside. Warming the attic with a bunch of insulation there will do very little to affect heat loss through the ceiling and most of that heat will be exhausted through the high vents, which you cannot/should not close.
If you like having lights up there, install LEDs (which won't save much either).
As for reducing your heating/energy costs, we can do that.
Bud
Ayuh,...... Is this insulation on top of the ceilings below, 'tween the joists, or at the roof sheathing, 'tween the roof rafters,..??..??A passing thought...
I have a ranch house... in my attic - unfinished, I have string lighting... with 40 wat bulbs... its throse string lights from harbor frieght, covers 80% of the attic, right down the middle...
So I am curious...
If I turn on the attic lights... and leave them on... would that offset my heating oil usage?
I am more curious than anything, as I will be raising the temp of the attic, wouldnt heat transfer from the ceilings also drop?
I have 6" fiberglass, with 6-10" of blown in insulation - which I plan to double/triple in the next 2 years.
In other words, is yer house set up as a cold roof, or hot roof,..??
Most often up north the roof is a cold roof, with a well vented attic to cut down on roof ice dripping off the house,.....
If that's the situation in yer house, the light bulb heat will simply be vented outdoors, or cause more roof icing,....
The light bulbs will be Outside the heated envelope,....
Technically, you are right.Yes, it would lower the oil consumption a little.
But I’m guessing it’s a 12 bulb string. At 40w a bulb or 480w total, I think someone would notice the change in electric bill, and not see the minor reduction in oil.
We're not even into talking about condensation yet. That comes next. You want your attic to replicate the outside temperature as much as possible. All your heat is held in the living space envelope, and hopefully heat escape is kept to a minimum.
if electricity is cheaper than oil, u would be better off just heating the house with electricity in the first place. it's unlikely though.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
DIY Home Improvement Forum
A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Helping You to Do It Yourself!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Nealtw
1094 Replies
chandler48
803 Replies
DoomsDave
586 Replies
Recommended Communities
