Energy Audit

[days_unfolding]

I'm trying to keep in mind that I'm heating and lighting a much larger place than I'm used to. The light in the office leaves something to be desired, so I bought a desk lamp to light my desk area, and it's perfect. I was concerned about the cats being in the dark before I get home, so I bought each of them a nightlight that comes on automatically at night. (Actually, I kind of like having a nightlight in the bedroom too, until I get used to the place.) I want to leave the basement door closed and the light off when I do laundry, but I need some indication that I am doing laundry. Otherwise, I'll forget and find that the clothes that I want to wear are still wet in the washer. Do any of the great minds on LJ have a suggestion on how to do that? Some thoughts that I had were as follows:

1. Put an Open/Closed Sign on the basement door and change it to Open when I'm doing laundry.
2. Put a small white board on the door, and write "Laundry" when I'm going laundry.
3. Carry a kitchen timer with me when I'm doing laundry.

Also, ravengirl, I think that you mentioned once that there's a film that you put over windows to keep energy from leaking out. Where did you get it? I think that they sell it on Amazon.com, but I'd rather get it locally if possible. And I just brewed my first pot of hot water for tea with my new electric kettle--thanks for the suggestion! Mmmm, tea!

I want to get a fireplace blanket to put over the fireplace screen when I'm not using the fireplace, but I will need to order it from Amazon.com, and probably have it sent to work, so I'm waiting on that.

Any other energy-saving tips would be great!

Comments

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

it's a plastic film that you heat with a blow dryer once it's in place, and it's tightens so, it fits tight. In the spring, you can simply poke a hole in the film, and remove it. I think you can purchase it at most hardware stores.

How about leaving the door open when you're doing laundry? Close it when you aren't.

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

The problem with that is when I let Harlee into the rest of the house, I don't really want her to go in the basement. (I suppose that she wouldn't get into much trouble down there, but there is a furnace and vents for the dryer, etc.) I suppose that I could put a gate up at the door to the basement, but I'm not sure if I could close the door then if I did.

[bandicoot.livejournal.com]

I'd put a sign where you'd see it on your way to bed. I don't know your layout, but if you put it on the basement door and you can't see it on your way to bed, it wouldn't be much good.