Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Sapphireho]

Had a Supra come up beside me on the freeway yesterday. I really don't like the look. My opinion.

I'm going about 65 mph, and the supra is coming up at probably about 70 or so, just cruisin'. Right when his rear is right next to me we have to let up for traffic and this thing starts popping and banging like you wouldn't believe. I just start laughing.

[86-75309]

Originally Posted by cjd

We had a very temperate summer, but have already had the heat on this fall. Typical Chicago city home with the back yard facing south and the long sides of the house in shade all day - 5' to one neighbor, 6' to the other. Windows need some attention for sure. Gotta roll with what's available though. I do work the blinds to make the best use of the sun in colder months (and keep it out in the summer) - that can create as much as a 10 degree (F) difference between the N and S ends though, even with the blower on to move air around.

This house is a good deal larger than our last, and our utility bills didn't change much here at all... so this place isn't bad. But...
I'd love to build a place, but that dream seems unlikely at this point.

I probably have a much larger issue with heat loss due to wind than you. My house sits on the western edge of town, with nothing but open farmland to the north and west. Windy days are the norm, and some days in the winter and spring they can be brutal. For example, my neighbor's trampoline ended up in my backyard twice, each time having to fly over my fence and each time landing on top of a young tree. I had to remove most of my downspout extensions because the wind would rip them off of the downspouts and send them down or across the street. On trash day the emptied cans often end up scattered all over the street.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by 86-75309

I probably have a much larger issue with heat loss due to wind than you. My house sits on the western edge of town, with nothing but open farmland to the north and west. Windy days are the norm, and some days in the winter and spring they can be brutal. For example, my neighbor's trampoline ended up in my backyard twice, each time having to fly over my fence and each time landing on top of a young tree. I had to remove most of my downspout extensions because the wind would rip them off of the downspouts and send them down or across the street. On trash day the emptied cans often end up scattered all over the street.

Hard to say. It's likely about surface area in addition to heat loss over that area. So many homes in our area are horribly insulated... Very few as well done as they could be. I've lived in a garbage quality build surrounded by fields on all sides (if you ignore the church and the bank) but may have been young enough I didn't notice the temperature. Now, I'm chilled all winter.

The trend in my neighborhood lately has been nearly black siding. No idea if it helps or hurts when, and how much. With values being such a stupid multiple of incomes I get why cheap is the thing... But I sure wish we weren't so cheap. A little better attention to detail could be so much nicer.
I do wonder if our winter will be mild or super cold. Won't be long till we find out.

[soundman98]

My house just likes to retain heat. Odd for a house with siding, it just does. Good for my winter bills, bad in the summer

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by cjd

Lowest gas bill this summer was $75 - highest over the winter was $350.
Lowest electric bill I saw all year was $120; highest was $140, and that was the $350 gas bill month.

Holy crap. I think my highest gas bill ever was like 65 bucks. 1200sqft house with a gas stove as sole heat source.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Had a Supra come up beside me on the freeway yesterday. I really don't like the look. My opinion.

I'm going about 65 mph, and the supra is coming up at probably about 70 or so, just cruisin'. Right when his rear is right next to me we have to let up for traffic and this thing starts popping and banging like you wouldn't believe. I just start laughing.

I had a 350z do this to me the other day. I get that about once every other week from some poorly modded car.

[soundman98]

well you drive an airfoil, so it's to be expected.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

well you drive an airfoil, so it's to be expected.

I have all that pulled on the street. Improves fuel mileage by like 4mpg. I think it's the wrap.

[soundman98]

oh that's right, you've got the digital camo/red-eye/call of duty camo on the car.


definitely the camo

[cjd]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Holy crap. I think my highest gas bill ever was like 65 bucks. 1200sqft house with a gas stove as sole heat source.

Yeah... technically close to 3x that square footage (counting the basement, which is heated) and an average temp that month of 18F and actual coldest temp below 0F. I think prices have gone up since too. I'd guess temp is the biggest likely difference here though.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

oh that's right, you've got the digital camo/red-eye/call of duty camo on the car.


definitely the camo

You've got to do a few more distasteful mods to your car before you unlock that one.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I had a 350z do this to me the other day. I get that about once every other week from some poorly modded car.

I should have added, I was in a white dodge truck, the most popular vehicle in Idaho, so there was no "come race me bro" involved. He was probably in 10th gear (now many years does the auto have?), no high RPMs involved, I couldn't even really hear it until...SNAP, CRACKLE, AND POP ON STEROIDS.

[Sapphireho]

Best thing I did in my home for the environment is my 98% efficient HVAC system. I have a 3300sqft home with crazy vaulted ceilings and stuff that I keep at 74° year round. I use very little gas and electricity. This thing is so efficient. The exhaust is more steam than anything so you can't use your old metal flue, you need a pvc flue.

[spike021]

I had an unhealthy Sunday afternoon snack indulge of McDonald's fries.

Why on earth do people say they are the best fast food french fry? Woefully underseasoned, they all taste "the same" (if that makes sense), and as golden as the outsides look, the texture of the insides is weird, like too dense or something.