the gas bill is a good sign
2019-Dec-06, Friday 02:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
It's still too early to tell for certain, but I think my expensive new windows are doing their intended job.
I logged into the CenterPoint Energy website to check 24 months of billing information.
If I'm saving about $10-15/month with the two worst windows replaced, it'll still take decades to pay for itself. But cost savings is not my main concern. Mostly, I want to be more energy efficient for lowered carbon dioxide pollution. Their website also offers actual gas readings.
A reduction in gas usage is very welcome. Much of November was spent in well-below-average temperatures here in Minneapolis this year, and the period between measurement was longer this year too, yet my gas usage was still lower. I was losing that much heat through just those two windows! I used a gift check from my parents to pay for this house upgrade, and it seems to be money well spent.
Did I really not post pictures of the replacements? Here are the old windows. They had rotted frames outdoors and very leaky double-hung features indoors, hence the year-round bubble wrap covering.


And the new frames. I replaced the double-hung type with casement. I wanted improved weather seal and improved security in this bad part of town.


I was glad to see that the house itself was in better shape than I expected. Here is the east window during reconstruction.

The forecast for next week currently includes a high temperature of -19C/-2F on Wednesday. The experience shouldn't be quite so bad this year.
I logged into the CenterPoint Energy website to check 24 months of billing information.
DateOldWindows | PriceOld | DateNewWindows | PriceNew |
2018 November 05 | $70.94 | 2019 November 05 | $55.63 |
2018 December 05 | $98.76 | 2019 December 05 | $89.41 |
If I'm saving about $10-15/month with the two worst windows replaced, it'll still take decades to pay for itself. But cost savings is not my main concern. Mostly, I want to be more energy efficient for lowered carbon dioxide pollution. Their website also offers actual gas readings.
DateOldWindows | ThermsOld | DateNewWindows | ThermsNew |
2018 October 31 | 53 | 2019 October 31 | 42 |
2018 November 30 | 101 | 2019 December 02 | 97 |
A reduction in gas usage is very welcome. Much of November was spent in well-below-average temperatures here in Minneapolis this year, and the period between measurement was longer this year too, yet my gas usage was still lower. I was losing that much heat through just those two windows! I used a gift check from my parents to pay for this house upgrade, and it seems to be money well spent.
Did I really not post pictures of the replacements? Here are the old windows. They had rotted frames outdoors and very leaky double-hung features indoors, hence the year-round bubble wrap covering.


And the new frames. I replaced the double-hung type with casement. I wanted improved weather seal and improved security in this bad part of town.


I was glad to see that the house itself was in better shape than I expected. Here is the east window during reconstruction.

The forecast for next week currently includes a high temperature of -19C/-2F on Wednesday. The experience shouldn't be quite so bad this year.