Out Of My Frugal Mind

Posted on April 21, 2008
Filed Under Homesteading, frugal living, savings |

Yes, I was accused today of being out of my frugal mind. What would precipitate this kind of comment? I was researching the possibility of alternate forms of energy and came across plans for a waste oil heater. Waste oil is basically used motor oil and most car repair shops have to pay someone to take it away. They are thrilled to be able to give it away free.

Ok, so it is a somewhat harebrained scheme but I was intrigued that it was a Mother Earth project which means that it is earth friendly. I spent an hour or so researching the possibility of converting my oil furnace to waste oil because fuel oil is darned expensive. A good portion of my fall and winter budget gets burnt up.

Waste Oil Furnace

Alas, while it is possible to do, it would also violate the terms of my homeowners insurance and converting the furnace seems like WAY more of a project than I am up to doing. It does make you wonder though why someone hasn’t come up with a residential waste oil furnace and a company to buy and sell waste oil. It would seem that it would put something that is an environmental problem to good use.

If you have a shop or garage that you want to heat cheaply, this version of waste oil heater was built using an old hot water heater. The article says that the total cost of building the heater was $36 and considering that the fuel is free. Well, it’s a pretty frugal idea.

Do It Yourself Forms of Alternate Energy

If you are a handy type of person, there are several do it yourself projects that can save you a considerable amount off your energy bills. Most of them are easy to build and can be made with recycled building material.

Solar Hot Water Heater

Keeping your water hot uses approximately 15 to 20 percent of your energy costs. That water sits in the tank cooling off and being reheated constantly even while you are at work or on vacation. Passive solar hot water heaters preheats the water before it gets to your hot water heater. It is pretty simple to make and anyone (maybe even me) could make one.

Depending on your skills and budget, making a solar hot water heater can run from $25 to $1000. The $25 version is called a breadbox water heater. It’s basically an insulated box with an old hot water tank that has been painted black in it. The cold water comes in the bottom and hot water goes out the top and into your existing heater. Simple! If you check out the article above, be sure to look at the image gallery for ideas and plans.

Solar Heat

Even if you live in a rental house, you can add solar heat and save on your heat bill. This solar heater is totally removable and this one is built from built from salvaged storm windows. The second one does look a bit like your windows are falling out. I think they are a little bit beyond my abilities but maybe I will entice the neighborhood carpenter into giving it a shot one sunny afternoon.

The storm window suncatcher article says that it can deliver 120 degree air to a home for 6 hours a day on a clear or partly cloudy day. After keeping my thermostat down under 65 for most of the winter, that sounds just toasty!

Alternate Energy is a Good Idea Now

None of these ideas will replace your current hot water heater or furnace but they are excellent ways to reduce the amount and cost of energy. With the rising cost of fuel, we can all use whatever help we can get to make ends meet.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Out of My Frugal Mind”

Momma (7 comments.) on April 21st, 2008 12:24 pm

Great article! I’m going to research some of the ideas you presented here. It can’t hurt
cindys on April 21st, 2008 12:59 pm

What I didn’t mention was that back in the 80s I sold solar hot water heaters for $5,000. There were tax credits then for them. They were basically the breadbox style installed on the roof. People loved them.