Weekend Plans
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@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:
Home alone for the weekend. Going to finish running the piping for the oil tank and catch up on some video game time.
Heating with oil? I thought that had al but gone away.
It's our backup heat source. I wish it would go away it's dirty and expensive. Granted I'm using coal as my primary but at least that's dirty and cheap.
We started with hot water boiler, turned it off and installed a wood/coal furnace burning wood, switched to coal, and then replaced that with a pellet stove. It's a big one, and I fabbed a plenum for it, so it's forced air through ducting. It's so easy to use, and is fairly cheap. I love it. We still have the boiler, but that's pretty expensive (haven't fired it up in 7 years), being that we're on propane and not natural gas.
Nice! My coal furnace is hooked into our hydronic system. So if the coal ever goes out, if we go on vacation and the person watching our house forgets to fill the hopper, the oil furnace will kick on automatically after the water hits a certain temperature. Enough to keep the pipes from freezing but won't keep people warm. We use an electric for DHW in the summer but the coal furnace does that in the winter.
That doesn't sound like a bad setup.
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@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:
Home alone for the weekend. Going to finish running the piping for the oil tank and catch up on some video game time.
Heating with oil? I thought that had al but gone away.
It's our backup heat source. I wish it would go away it's dirty and expensive. Granted I'm using coal as my primary but at least that's dirty and cheap.
We started with hot water boiler, turned it off and installed a wood/coal furnace burning wood, switched to coal, and then replaced that with a pellet stove. It's a big one, and I fabbed a plenum for it, so it's forced air through ducting. It's so easy to use, and is fairly cheap. I love it. We still have the boiler, but that's pretty expensive (haven't fired it up in 7 years), being that we're on propane and not natural gas.
Nice! My coal furnace is hooked into our hydronic system. So if the coal ever goes out, if we go on vacation and the person watching our house forgets to fill the hopper, the oil furnace will kick on automatically after the water hits a certain temperature. Enough to keep the pipes from freezing but won't keep people warm. We use an electric for DHW in the summer but the coal furnace does that in the winter.
That doesn't sound like a bad setup.
Nope, not bad. If I were planning on staying in the house longer I would drop the oil altogether and put a Baxi boiler and propane in.
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@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.
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@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.
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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?
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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
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@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.
