Toronto Ice Storm

[megsy]

If you would like to borrow some heat, there is plenty over here in Oz, 40.4 deg Cel  today not game to venture outside in fear of melting being a red head  

[The General]

My beef with PV solar contractors is that they want to sell the homeowner the largest system they can...instead of educating the homeowner on Energy Efficiency 'FIRST'....it's been proven over and over (ad nausem) that every dollar invested by the homeowner in energy efficiency upgrades will save $3 to $4 off the cost of a PV system. In my climate zone, high efficiency a/c systems are particularly cost effective.

Australia is the home to Outback Power, one of my favorite off grid solar companies.  Cheers Doug.....Pat

Mate you and I are hitting the same nail smack on the head. I spoke to a consumer only this morning re his request for a 4.5kw PV system. It took me an hour (unpaid unfortunately) to convince him he only needed a 2kw system. I also provide an energy audit that is accountable and have advised against the capital investment in solar in a number of cases. Amazing how many debt stretched people refuse to just read their meter at dawn & dusk to ascertain some idea of system requirement, however when they do, only sometimes do they begin to understand the massive savings available from a change of habit or existing componentry.  Unfortunately very difficult to get paid for good advice, though I continue to develop a systematic strategy to their education with a money back guarantee - But often feel like a lonely voice in a classroom of suspicious deaf consumers. (end of vent - apologies re off topic hijack)) 

[FJscott]

$800-$1000/mo    couple years ago I purchased a home on the water in Florida. The only waterfront I could afford was a fixer upper. I thought living in the sunshine state was a perfect opportunity to go green with a PV solar system to reduce energy costs. First I would get a good baseline with my daily KWa usage. My utility co( FPL) installed a new "smart meter" for free and showed me how to read the daily and cumulative numbers.
I installed; light colored reflective roofing, added attic insulation, insulated doors/windows, energy efficient heat
Pump rated SEER 16, tankless on demand hot water heater. With all these energy efficient home improvements
I reduced my monthly electric bill in half and decided that I didn't really need a PVC system. Oh, I did install a solar pool heater and almost, almost went with a solar water heater but really wanted to go tankless.

I guess where I'm going with this is I agree with you guys, conservation and efficiency trump throwing money
Into an alternative power source.

Another curious program FPL offers is a monthly averaging bill. They average your usage over the previous year and bill based on that. Takes the sticker shock out off the summer utility bill.

Now the payoff based on my improvements is probably longer than my lifetime however, the home was being remodeled anyway.

Scott

[Pat Conlon]

Scott and Doug, yeppers, we are singing in harmony.

A kWh saved thru efficiency and change of behavior is *always* less expensive, more cost effective, than a kWh generated from a PV system.

There is a lot of low hanging fruit out there, and a competent energy audit will show that to the homeowner.

Ok, back to Kev's situation.....

[CanDman]

There is a lot of low hanging fruit out there, and a competent energy audit will show that to the homeowner.

Ok, back to Kev's situation.....
[/quote]


Day 10

Hey..........you guys chirp away.......it's wonderful to see the cold bring out the firewood.......I must admit, I was surprised that an electrician from Maine doesn't know the difference from good wood and bad wood.......especially on this thread.....I would have bet the farm on the seeing his best logs thrown....rather than smelly garbage that he chucked......that being said.....I still love you Trav !!!! 

So here's the update.......chainsaws are roaring and the trees around the lines are coming down........I have a chain saw......but I was given strict instructions not to do anything.....I could have been looking at some pretty hefty fines.....lots of bureaucracy here.......which explains why it took so long.....I am proud to know that I am the last place on a very big list.....I will be cooking a Turkey and making my famous Christmas dinner.....sautéed carrots....lumpy mashed Potatoes...pepper squash with melted butter..a dash of salt with a sprinkle of dill and cumin......and last but not least...my world famous Turnip......which is rutabaga......mashed with butter ..salt....pepper and brown sugar....with a hint of nutmeg..and of course...the gravy....finished with some pumpkin pie with whip cream and some warm plumb pudding......mm mmmmm....I'm getting hungry.....lol..well I will keep you posted......shouldn't be long now......

Kev



           

[CanDman]

If you would like to borrow some heat, there is plenty over here in Oz, 40.4 deg Cel  today not game to venture outside in fear of melting being a red head  

Hey Megs.....nice sentiment......40 degrees ? Ya......sounds great...send some over.....10 degrees would be perfect !!!!
Kev

[CanDman]

 



POWERS BACK....POWERS BACK........NOW I CAN FINALLY CELEBRATE........MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.....MERRRRY CHRRRRRRRRISTMAS.....POWERS BACK



54,000 Christmas Lights- Little Drummer Boy



CanDman

[Travis398]

there should be plenty of hard wood laying around for you, you may want to stock up for next time. We already got another 14" of snow since the ice storm. extending the power outages to thousands of people for over a week.

[CanDman]

there should be plenty of hard wood laying around for you, you may want to stock up for next time. We already got another 14" of snow since the ice storm. extending the power outages to thousands of people for over a week.

Wow.......I can't imagine....in 97 Quebec had it the worst.....some people were without power for 4 months.......all I can say is ........I know what it's like to have your life thrown upside down.....and I feel for everyone going through it. My thoughts and prayers are with all the good people in Maine and that their lives will resume to normal sooner than later. Before my ordeal...all I could muster was a little empathy.....now I have a lot of sympathy.
    If it weren't for my generator....my drums and everything in the basement would have been under water......Canada is used to the bitter cold.....it is the temperatures that hover around the freezing mark that is so destructive....
    This storm must have you busier than a bees nest......thx for sharing Trav.....and I hope all is well with you and your family.....

Kev

[CanDman]

        Hopefully Jack will be back......soon...... He carries the Green flag all  winter long.........and helps us through the winter nights.........





  Jethro Tull- Jack In The Green (live)

[CanDman]

[/quote]


In The Dark

[CanDman]

Friday night , we were finally able to have our Christmas Dinner....here's the proof..........and yes.....I prepared it all......

[CanDman]

   

 




This SOB was the culprit....if you see where the tree broke.....that is were the live wire used to be and was touching the trunk.......started a fire and eventually burned through far enough to cause it to snap