Ahh, while the world melts down in chaos, I bask in a sense of gratitude from the home energy improvements I recently made. And while I'm at it, I would like to share two key strategies Vermont needs for energy and economic independence: insulation and kindling.

Based on my fuel consumption on the cold days so far, I believe I will cut my fuel use by more than 30% this year, from doing the following:

1. Two new weather-strips/door-jams on exterior doors: $35
2. R-Value of 55 added to cathedral ceiling in living room and attic (sandwich of Prodex R-15 radiant foil-foam, surrounding "stuffing" of R-19 fiberglass). $350 for insulation.

Last year we went through 5 cord of wood and used about $100 worth of electric heat and propane to supplement the wood stove. Call it $1200 to heat the house, (which already saved us over $1500 compared to relying on propane and electric like the year before). So I should make up the investment in insulation in less than 2 years.

But, last year we kept the wood stove burning 24-7 for 5 months. I literally didn't use any kindling after November 15. I actually developed a mild phobia of letting the fire go out, because I didn't really remember how to start it and I didn't have any kindling.

This year, even on the days of sub-20 degrees that we've had, I let the fire go out at night. And we wake up to a relatively warm house. And several times I've let the fire go out at night, and then left it out all day while we were away, only to come to to a relatively warm house! 18+ hours without any heat source in 20-degree weather, and the place was still in the low 60s (ok, maybe it was 55 in the bedrooms). But I crank the wood stove and the ceiling fan and in 30 minutes the house is toasty warm.

And now I have enough firewood for 3 winters if my calculations are correct.

Free Vermont! Shred Don't Dread! We Must Insulate and Kindle!

www.carbonshredders.org