Go Back   EcoModder Forum > AltModding > Saving@Home
Register Now
 Register Now
 


Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-15-2013, 03:59 AM   #11 (permalink)
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,774

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - CBR600 - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - Dodge/Cummins - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)

Model Y - '24 Tesla Y LR AWD

Pacifica Hybrid - '21 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
90 day: 43.3 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,321
Thanked 4,474 Times in 3,439 Posts
Since the owner pays the water bill, I wouldn't heat the pipes at all. Just run a slow trickle and that will prevent them from freezing.

__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 01-15-2013, 01:21 PM   #12 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 2,643
Thanks: 1,502
Thanked 279 Times in 229 Posts
I was gonna add that when I tried this for my 3 stage heat pump hvac in my vacant condo it kind of burned me so to speak. I had an automatic energy efficient t stat and if the temp was up more than a degree from current room temperature it would activate the electric heat. If it was 2 degrees or more it activated the emergency heat. I am guessing 110 vs 220? Low vs high? Anyway it cost me the same power vs leaving it set to a constant 72 degrees.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2013, 12:37 AM   #13 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
ever_green's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Toronto
Posts: 264

gueff - '19 Mercedes Benz A250 4MATIC AMG
90 day: 30.55 mpg (US)
Thanks: 8
Thanked 79 Times in 33 Posts
i wouldn't mess with nature, most water pipes are copper and they can conduct significant amount of heat. This means the standing water in the pipes can quickly lose its heat and freeze, perhaps even faster THAN on a concrete floor out in the open. If you even wrapped that in the thickest blankest it will still freeze, it just needs a bit more time. This is because the water it self doesn't have enough heat for the blanket to prevent escaping. it's Not like the human body where blood circulation is constantly generating heat, and so insulating ourselves can raise our ambient body temperature.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2013, 08:09 PM   #14 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 65

Serenity - '93 Nissan Sentra SE-R
90 day: 20.55 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I ended up using wall timer and just ran the heat at 30 min intervals (30 min on, 30 off), and I set the timers for the times I knew it would be under 30* (had to check Accuweather.com for hourly temperatures). I also got a more efficient heater, an electric heater fan instead of a radiator-type heater. All in all my bill was only $14 more than usual, so it seemed to work. If I am still in this garage next winter, I'll be looking into a thermostat instead as well as the other ideas for insulating and heating. Thanks all!

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com