Energy Conservation On STX!!!!

An interesting web site, but not really not applicable to the VI. No one here heats their home and very few use AC for more than a few days per year. Since everyone leaves their windows open the temperature in most homes is the same inside or out. That negates most of the benefit of installing thermal barriers or heavy insulation.

Speaking of insulation most homes in the VI don't have an attic so no place to install ceiling insulation or barriers.

I also don't believe that WAPA offers time of day metering so none of that technology applies currently to the VI.

Jim

Everyone does leave their windows open but all of the people i know have an a/c in their bedroom. I would go so far as to say most statesiders or transplants have at least on a/c in their home. And when summer hits its very hard not to run it all day. I'm sorry but he blanket statement that very few use a/c here is simply not true. Although with the new rate increase coming up it will be even more of a luxury.

If you look at what I said, I said "most people don't run their AC for more than a few days". I have AC in my bedroom and I turn it on before I go to bed and off in the morning. It still costs me $2.50 per night for the luxury/necessity of AC for a good nights sleep when it is hot and the trades have died down. If someone needs AC all the time then perhaps they should rethink their decision about living in the tropics.

While there are a few homes in the VI that have central AC this isn't Arizona where the temperature gets up into triple digits. The web site referenced addresses issues for people who must cool in the summer and heat in the winter. Before I would spend money in the VI on insulation and thermal barriers I would invest in air tight windows, if I was going to AC my home.

Jim

Very few people I know here in STT have A/C. I sure don't & have never needed it. Another thing to think about when buying a home - how it's placed on site as far as ability to catch the most breezes. It's one of the things I checked when I bought my place & wasn't just blinded by the glorious view & I supposedly live on the hotter south side. Right now, I keep turning off the ceiling fan at night as it gets cool enough without it. Having to run A/C a lot gets really spendy.

Well Jim from your statement I didn't get what you were saying at all. But you have now clarified.

I agree with getting great windows down here it is almost always worth the investment and you will usually get your money back at resale time.

I don't agree with the statement that if people cant live without a/c they shouldn't come here. Its human nature that we always end up changing every city's environment and it will definitely happen here as well. Long as you can afford the electric bill its up to you.

Arizona heat was great it was such a nice dry heat you could use one of those inexpensive (to run) evaporators.

The major users of A/C are large retail stores. I'm sure we have walked into stores that are chilled to temps down in the 70s. It must cost many many dollars to cool that much space. Maybe they are the market you are looking for.

Most regular folks choose not to pay what it takes to totally AC a house.. I see ads for villas for sale and rent that tout central AC. They don't include the cost of keeping your place under 80 degrees. Not in my budget.

Betty......oh Betty...
Here in Az it was a dry heat back in he 70's? With all the growth and development boom here in Az now we have a huge humidity level that didn't exist then. I am a native Arizonan of 37 years-summers and I can ASSURE you that in the summer it's not always a dry heat....Once past June monsoon season- forget about it! The dew point is much to high to use and evaporative efficiently at all... Thermal mass has alot to due with heat-cool storage ..If one can store these energies properly one can benefit hugely from them ..not using ac as much as needed?
Jim you must not read the entire site? That's ok though...It's a new concept and the "text" books we grew up with didn't teach us this technology? You don't need an attic to apply the "TCM"" triple layer barrier , RBS chips are not used as much as the triple layered tcm...think of when you lived in the states.it doesn't matter where...We are STILL using fiber GLASS as an insulation...Glass stores the radiant heat from the sun all day " A HEAT BOX"...it may feel ok during the day because of "deep space" cooling the walls from the night is stored in the walls....now right about bed time or sometimes sooner the "radiant" heat stored in your walls like batteries- travels through the walls giving off it's energy into the house...Comfort level decreases at this point. Now the word "R" factor is kinda funny most people don't know what it actually stands for..."RESISTANCE FACTOR"
So it doesn't change the direction in which the energy travels but rather delays it's effects... Needing to turn on their AC to better comfort level..
So in a nut shell by stopping the direction of radiant heat travels, not slowing or resisting-"r" factor- YOU are in charge of what your comfort levels are? Therefore saving you the extremely high .30 cents a kwh?
It doesn't matter WHERE in the world we are but how we think about the ways heat-energy- travels? Especially in the VI's where the equator is almost dead on. If any of you really want to see a way to totally live off the Grid check out www.earthships.net....Eons ahead of their time...Or you tube earthships.

Do me a favor try this experiment for me..A little about what deep space is....the sun shines on the opposite side of the earth when we sleep correct?"well most of us" lol! So the earth is absorbing- storing this radiant heat? As the sun sets the earth cools off on the other side "dark". When it's late at night stand under your porches with you fore arms facing up towards the ceiling then slowly walk out in the open air and then back under again repeat this over and over ...you will feel the effects of deep space. You arm will feel the cool energy from space...It sounds funny yes but it's basic physics...By using your fore arms facing up your exposing the most sensitive part of your arm to the elements..... Stored radiant heat in your porch roof then walking out to the open you WILL feel the temp drop dramatically..... Hope this helps you understand radiant heat- cooling you don't have to live in Az to feel its effects but anywhere on the planet the sun shines....
Sorry for ranting on this but after researching efficiency in homes for the last 10 years and educating myself on how to live more efficiently . I believe we can change they way we live and more importantly use energy on this planet?

You say you are moving to STX in a month? Please keep us posted as you put these theories into practical use. We will all be interested in your thoughts after 4-6 months.

Good luck.

Linda ...
Thxs!
Absolutely...
I will be posting a web site with picks, information and progress as it unfolds.
I will be glad to sit with anyone and go over what I have learned and seen with my own eyes....In many different environments around the world....
There are better and more efficient ways to build our homes..
A simple solution to lighting a whole house through out are solar tubes...does anyone have these??
I will be installing these also...
http://www.savenrg.com/skylite.htm
I have 4 of these now in areas I was having trouble lighting> now it's solved...
No more flipping that darn switch on.....lol 🙂

your crime post says you live in mexico, this one says you live in AZ

I read the entire site and if I was moving back to somewhere where the temperature varied more than five degrees day to night or eight degrees season to season I would install the thermal barriers to prevent heat storage in my insulation.

In the VI I would be surprised if even 5% of the homes have insulation. I just don't think there would be any pay back unless you plan to run AC round the clock.

For most homes in the VI having air tight windows, a reflective roof and shades on windows to prevent the sun from heating up rooms if the windows are closed is enough.

Personally I would take my money and buy a building lot on top of a hill where you get breezes from all directions.

If someone needs or wants to spend $7,500 per year {$20 per day ) running central AC in their home then In my opinion they made a bad choice on where to live in the world.

Jim

trw,
I am an AZ native. That is where I was born however 5 years ago me and my wife moved to puerto penasco, sonora mexico "a 3 hour drive from PHX". so we travel twice monthly to visit family and get things we need periodically ? I used to own a home in Az but sold it before the market crashed there? So to your QUESTION of where I live is Mexico...We are selling both our business's here and are moving to STX in about a month or so. Coming to visit to check things out on a few things first....
I am glad you read other posts.... 🙂
Let me know if there's anything elso I can answer for you?

I would like to disclose first, that I have no financial interest in WAPA, or any of the electric appliances that I use. I Live on STX. My expertise in Electricity is the on/off switch, and my WAPA Bill. There are plenty of day's each month with the exception of June/Jul/Aug that we don't use AC because it's not needed. Ceiling fans, Table fans Window shades and SCREENS work well. I have wall units in the bedrooms and a split air system in the living room and dinning room. I agree with Jim Dandy that Central Air on the islands is not necessary, and expensive. We have cut our energy bill by 30% by changing the light bulbs to energy efficient kind, Lowered the hot water temp, run the dishwasher only when full, when we have guests (just for show). I just started experimenting with the breaker panel shutting off the power to the rooms not in use. I prefer not to live inside of a used tire and empty beer/soda cans for walls. Did you ever smell rubber tires when there hot?

The smell of rubber tires hmm? Incase you didn't notice they're incased in adobe-cenement - stucco? Over 3 ft. thick? Withstands a little more wind then convention construction in hurricanes?

In every thing we use especially conventional building materials lies chemical hazards? Are you familiar with what most conter tops are made out of? How about carpet? How about that good ole plastic bottles holding that clean glorious water we ingest? come on be serious? Do some reserch prior to your bashathons kids....Open your eyes and mind verses your mouths?

I keep getting confused about what you are trying to state as a fact versus what you are asking with all the question marks after nearly every sentence in your posts.

STX is a good place to be if you like kite-surfing. There are a few months from mid-August until about Thanksgiving when the winds die down and the kite-surfers are desolate, but the rest of the year you can see them out playing nearly every day. With the strong "Christmas Winds" blowing around the clock right now, they are in ecstasy. The sport is growing here rapidly with professional kiteboarder, Bill Kraft's, lesson schedule filled to capacity pretty much all the time. What brand of kites have you been flying in Mexico?

"every thing we use especially conventional building materials lies chemical hazards? Are you familiar with what most conter tops are made out of? How about carpet? How about that good ole plastic bottles holding that clean glorious water we ingest? come on be serious? Do some reserch prior to your bashathons kids....Open your eyes and mind verses your mouths?"

Lots of assumptions there, Banda. My building's concrete as is my 11" thick roof so no place to put insulation which I don't need anyway. My counters are formica but I've never been known to lick them. I have tile floors, no carpet except for a few COTTON throw rugs. I use cistern water & that doesn't come from plastic bottles. My hot water heater fits under my kitchen counter & provides enough hot water for me & has an off/on switch. Roof top solar water heaters aren't allowed since Marilyn by my Condo Association.

By the way, the cheapest energy efficient light bulbs I've found come from eBay. I have enough to last my lifetime.

Banda,
I liked the kids part, Thanks! However I still don't want to live inside a used tire, but you can bounce with it.

Thansk Lizard... 🙂
Trade nothing was intended on knocking any one home or how it was built just Lizards comment about hot tires? I thought it doesn't get hot there lizard...:)Trade sounds like you place is bomb proof...We have built a few opera houses in AZ here with the same style of construction with tcm on the outside these things were unreal in the summer months hold cool in the walls and reflecting ALL radiant heat out ...Also you lights...those work great, however there are LED full spectrums that draw even waaaay less juice? I will be bringing tons of these things to STX internet has a good supply via good ole ebay. Again Trade sorry wasn't bagging on everyone just directing some fun back at lizard ... 🙂

Alexandra I fly Monkey kites...Griffin Bows...I'm a distributor for them due to my Business in Mexico.
I love these things they pull like freight trains and depower quite nice. I researched and flew all brands prior to choosing who I was going to sell in our shop. I am am really impressed with this company, the service is unreal far as taking care of their distributors and buyers! Great kite for the money. 08 are even better! I'll be bringing a few of these along...Not looking to set up there at all...Just ride now.
I taugt for well over 5 years now I want to ride!! LOL! I used to set on the beach watching all my friends ripping it up when Me and my wife stood on the beach lauging cause we couldn't go out "Lessons"...Both me and my wife ride...It amazing to be out ther with your significant other took me 5 years to coax her out though....LOL! No w I'm her K.B.!!! 🙂
I look forward to meeting Bill and all who ride there! The place is beautiful can't wait to explore the waters there....
Kiting is an AWESOME sport isn't it?

Dear Banda: I don't think people are really bashing you. There is a tendency here to be skeptical of new folks and their ideas. 😉 The typical building method here is concrete block or poured concrete. Most people leave their windows open to the breeze. The reason many of us choose to live here is because we enjoy the fresh air year around. I don't know if the Christmas lights on St Croix are as plentiful as they are here on St Thomas, but if so, that will give you an idea about how much energy conservation goes on!

Banda,
Google "Old Tires Leaches Toxin's"!

Lizard....
You truely are board aren't you I am rally impressed that you can google info wow!!
We can go on this one all day so lets?

1.Formaldehyde Definition: chemical used by industry to manufacture building materials and household products; also by-product of combustion. Sources: particleboard or pressed board, glues and adhesives. Exposure: eye, nose and throat irritant; possible carcinogen. Also most products in home are full of this>

2.plastic dangers from Polyvinyl chloride Definition: thermoplastic polymer used in construction. Sources: vinyl siding, pipe, plumbing and conduit. Exposure: Gas from deteriorating PVC can contribute to asthma and allergies. Potential carcinogenic . Along wih plastics materials such as milk containers-jugs, water-bottles opaque to even better for you clear one along with baby bottles blah blah blah....

3.Lizard this may hit home for you
Lead Definition: a heavy metal. Sources: lead-based paint, contaminated soil, dust and drinking water. Exposure: damages central nervous system, kidney and blood cells; impairs mental and physical development. In children, causes delays in physical and mental development, lower IQ, shortened attention span and increased behavioral problems and doesn't play with others well.... 🙂
Come on man everything around us is going to poison us from one thing or another?
Get over it? recycling what we already have makes life a little cost effective along with saving other materials getting harder to obtain to build? cost effectiveness = saving energy? And hard earned cash.....
I was talking about energy saved -cost efficiency...Lets stay on topic? I know its hard its not your fault...
AGAIN THIS ISN'T ABOUT JUST AC...IT'S ABOUT SAVING ENERGY......AND $$$$$

Banda,
Google something for your own edification, your the one that's going to live in a used tire not me. It doesn't hurt to get all the facts does it. They don't use Lead based paint any longer because of the noted problems. I don't use plastic bags, I use paper. You come on the forum with an opinion as to what your going to do, are we suppose to be in awe, agree, or disagree. I think I spoke about energy costs, not just AC. Here is another one for you, Plainfield New Jersey just put in turf on their football field made from old tires, and the state of NJ said they couldn't use it because of the toxins. Use that information for what its worth. One should welcome and investigate all points brought to their attention, you don't have to agree with any of them. Or maybe you just want to be one of those little green men in your earth ship.

I almost forgot, Happy Holidays to you and your wife!

Banda: I have to agree with you that recycling makes sense. But things don't always make sense in the VI. Our Waste Management Authority thought it would be a good idea for them to put a new tax on everything coming into the VI in order to pay for their salaries, junkets and vehicles. Recycling was not encouraged, and little is done. All I am saying is to come and experience the VI a bit. It isn't Arizona and it isn't Mexico: it is its own little spot.

Banda:

Have any studies been done on how the stacked tires with mud over them resist earth quakes? In looking at how these homes are constructed I would be concerned that the walls would shift during a quake.

We get numerous quakes every month. Most are mild, but you can't count on that to be the case for ever.

Also how do you tie the roof to the walls so it doesn't fly away in a hurricane?

Jim