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    Weekend Plans

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Water Closet
    time waster
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    • RojoLocoR
      RojoLoco @coliver
      last edited by

      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

      @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

      Man, I had oil heat when I lived up in Asheville... never again. Possibly the worst heating system ever developed.

      Easily the worst... Takes way too much to maintain and is the least efficient out of all the heating fuels... even my coal furnace is more efficient then most high efficiency oil burners.

      And the systems that everyone had in Asheville were old and low efficiency. All they really did was cost lots of $$$ and dried the air out.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • coliverC
        coliver
        last edited by

        Next house will be propane to start, but I'm going to build it so I can add an alternative fuel source if need be. If we get the house were looking at it will be stripped to the studs anyway and we'll be able to insulate the hell out of it.

        JaredBuschJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
        • JaredBuschJ
          JaredBusch @coliver
          last edited by

          @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

          coliverC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • coliverC
            coliver @JaredBusch
            last edited by

            @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

            @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

            Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

            art_of_shredA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • art_of_shredA
              art_of_shred @coliver
              last edited by

              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

              @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

              @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

              Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

              Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

              scottalanmillerS coliverC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • scottalanmillerS
                scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
                last edited by

                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                We keep looking at it for here in Texas since there is current roof damage to be addressed anyway.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • coliverC
                  coliver @art_of_shred
                  last edited by coliver

                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                  @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                  Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                  Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                  Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                  scottalanmillerS art_of_shredA 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • scottalanmillerS
                    scottalanmiller @coliver
                    last edited by

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                    Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                    Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                    Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                    How much did they cost, roughly? Here in Texas I assume we would recoup the cost even more quickly.

                    coliverC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • art_of_shredA
                      art_of_shred @coliver
                      last edited by

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                      Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                      Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                      Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                      Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                      coliverC scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • coliverC
                        coliver @scottalanmiller
                        last edited by

                        @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                        Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                        Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                        Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                        How much did they cost, roughly? Here in Texas I assume we would recoup the cost even more quickly.

                        I'm not remembering off the top of my head. I want to say 25K.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • coliverC
                          coliver @art_of_shred
                          last edited by

                          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                          @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                          @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                          Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                          Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                          Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                          Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                          Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                          scottalanmillerS art_of_shredA 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • scottalanmillerS
                            scottalanmiller @coliver
                            last edited by

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                            Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                            Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                            Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                            Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                            Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                            I was wondering if you could do that. Very nice.

                            coliverC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • scottalanmillerS
                              scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
                              last edited by

                              @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                              @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                              @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                              @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                              Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                              Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                              Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                              Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                              They've got non-lead batteries for that now, too.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • coliverC
                                coliver @scottalanmiller
                                last edited by

                                @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

                                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                I was wondering if you could do that. Very nice.

                                Utilities in NY are required to allow it.

                                scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • art_of_shredA
                                  art_of_shred @coliver
                                  last edited by

                                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                  Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                  Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                  Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                  Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                  Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                  Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                                  scottalanmillerS coliverC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • scottalanmillerS
                                    scottalanmiller @coliver
                                    last edited by

                                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                    @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                    Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                    Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                    Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                    Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                    Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                    I was wondering if you could do that. Very nice.

                                    Utilities in NY are required to allow it.

                                    Nice

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • scottalanmillerS
                                      scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
                                      last edited by

                                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                      @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                      Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                      Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                      Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                      Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                      Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                      Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                                      Yeah, so very simple, but does not address going "off grip" or using it to replace having a generator.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • coliverC
                                        coliver @art_of_shred
                                        last edited by coliver

                                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                        @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                        Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                        Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                        Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                        Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                        Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                        Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                                        Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months. He's had a few months where he didn't use as much as he produced and received a credit on his bill.

                                        art_of_shredA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • art_of_shredA
                                          art_of_shred @coliver
                                          last edited by

                                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                          @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                          Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                          Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                          Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                          Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                          Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                          Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                                          Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                                          That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                                          coliverC scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • coliverC
                                            coliver @art_of_shred
                                            last edited by

                                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                                            @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                                            Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                                            Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                                            Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                                            Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                                            Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                                            Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                                            Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                                            That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                                            Yep, offgrid isn't really an option for him, he's got a carpentry and machine shop in his garage so he needs power when he needs.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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