The Home Improvement Thread

[tex]

Mine is not that high. Last electric bill was $200 and water was about $75. That is with watering the yard and keeping the house cool all summer while my wife was home for the summer.

 

[Silverback]

Well depending on your electric provider it may be worth it. I mean, you are going to pay $200 a month for electricity no matter what (just an example).. so might as well pay that towards a solar setup and when its paid for now you pay nothing. But in my case if I'm not getting credit for the power I put back on the grid OR I'm not getting the same incentives others get, it just means that my ROI is a lot longer. A 5-7 year ROI sits very well with me as I plan to be here a long time. But if its now a 12-15 year ROI.. no thanks. I'll plant some more trees to provide some more shade and blow in more insulation.

I agree Rob, its not bad at all. I think I read that we had 20 days of 100+ heat in August. I think if I do anything I'll invest in some WiFi enabled themostats (need two) this would allow me to set it a bit higher during the day ( I currently leave the house and set it to 74 and pull it back down to 70 when I come home) and then adjust the temp on my ride home. Today I got home and it was about 75 in here. I cranked it down and it was chilly within an hour.

 

[yotarob]

I just plain need a completely new HVAC system. I have been patching mine along for the last couple years. I've gotten a couple quotes and a good Carrier / Train will be 6k. Some more insulation wouldn't hurt either. I have been in this house for 10 years and it's showing it's age now, nothing I can't fix tho, we have another 10 years before I'll consider selling.

 

[Silverback]

Well some good vinyl windows with the E coating on them or some solar tint on the existing windows plus some tech shielding in the attic. would be an easy add. Do you have ridge vents? I know that helps a ton. Get that hot air out.

 

[Taco Loco]

Got email from Eng....Please see the attachment for the application, policy, and specifications. The rate FELPS would pay a customer for generation would be 0.6940 per kwh and the rate you pay for power is 0.0737 per kwh.

But also they have fuel sur charges on thier bills that vary

 

[Oswego]

Well some good vinyl windows with the E coating on them or some solar tint on the existing windows plus some tech shielding in the attic. would be an easy add. Do you have ridge vents? I know that helps a ton. Get that hot air out.

This is key. Windows are the poorest insulated part of the building's envelope. A good Low-E glass that has a low solar heat coefficient on windows that are exposed to sunlight can make a BIG difference for you guys. If you go to do it hit me up. I can help you write a spec before you get quotes so you can compare apples/apples.

 

[Silverback]

HOLY SHIT YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!

 

[Oswego]

HOLY SHIT YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!

Have been avoiding the wheeling scene for a while because I can't play. Next month is 2years since my baby started burping oil. Good things are in the works though.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

My wife and I will probably go this route in the next couple of years.

http://thezeroenergyhome.com/#story


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TacoXpo]

My wife and I will probably go this route in the next couple of years.

http://thezeroenergyhome.com/#story


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

'Been working on a fuel cell project that was started at MIT - sounds like the same deal. I also worked the our local Gas Company about 15 years ago. The concept was all electrical power was to be generated by a small local gas fired turbine.

 

[Anathollo]

Have been avoiding the wheeling scene for a while because I can't play. Next month is 2years since my baby started burping oil. Good things are in the works though.

After making me wait a damn year to swap out the motor, you better have something awesome planned! Either a supercharger or a diesel motor!

Welcome back!

 

[Silverback]

So what is the holdup?

 

[TacoXpo]

So what is the holdup?

He suffers from the same disease I do... Newjobitus

 

[Silverback]

Mounted up my can crusher and ran another airline drop while I was at it. Still need to paint it though.

 

[TacoXpo]

Mounted up my can crusher and ran another airline drop while I was at it. Still need to paint it though.

I worry about that thing.

 

[Silverback]

I think I'm going to install a second button to activate it.

 

[Silverback]

Just ordered 80' of flatware and 60' of round tube... going to build some outdoor furniture.

 

[tx_shooter]

I worry about that thing.

Why? It is Sean I am worried about. I'm pretty sure that thing will survive the robot revolution.

 

[Silverback]

I think I might have thunk up a way to build a hopper system for it.... downside is that I need to lay the thing on its side to do so. I guess it will wait until Winter.

 

[Taco Loco]

Did you read on that attachment that I sent you that FELPS requires a hefty liability insurance clause if you want to tie into the grid, that may be a deal breaker if the damn ins cost. $1000 roos per year.