LOL. The 8 Bit Guy put out an interesting video on how he's preparing for the next Texas power outage. https://youtu.be/RhTDneoDUdc
I thought it was pretty well reasoned. Doesn't fit with my life particularly but it seems to work for him. -Curt On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 04:03:16 PM EDT, Allan Streib via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: I suppose in theory you could also run an icemaker during the day and use that for air-conditioning at night but you'd also need to look at the costs of integrating that into your HVAC. On Tue, May 31, 2022, at 2:19 PM, Curt Raymond via Mercedes wrote: > The panels have gotten a LOT cheaper too. About 10 years ago I was > thinking of solar hot water instead of PV, the payoff was a lot sooner. > These days you can overbuild PV and use an electric hot water heater as > a dump load, so when you're making more power than you need you just > dump it into making hot water and get the same payoff as doing solar > hot water. > > -Curt > > > On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 12:20:51 PM EDT, Karl Wittnebel via Mercedes > <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > > > The panels keep getting more efficient so the payoff particulars keeps > changing. They supposedly collect power from the scattered light on the > back side of the chips now also, for instance. So I think some shadier > places that would not be suitable are now more suitable. But depends upon > local laws also. They have net zero metering ones that never put power into > the grid beyond what you use, if you live in one of those communist states > that refuses to pay you for power you generate ;-) > > Fire is the main reason a lot of policies are getting cancelled in the SW. > We went with stucco and a metal roof but should have boxed in the eaves > also with stucco, as that is where the roofs often catch fire. Plus be sure > your roof vents and hvac air intakes all have 1/8" metal screens, rather > than 1/4", which lets too many embers in. 11 houses burned across the > street in the next block up during the Getty fire. > > > > On Mon, May 30, 2022, 1:00 PM dan penoff.com via Mercedes < > mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > >> Heh. Don’t come to Florida. That’s the first thing they’ll go after. If >> you’ve got a roof that’s more than about 10-12 years old you’ll have a >> tough time getting a policy. >> >> The roof on the Flagstaff house is 20 years old and definitely worn. It’s >> asphalt shingles and a relatively low pitch. They definitely have some wear >> and are getting brittle. We knew this when we bought the place and fully >> expected to have to put a roof on in the next 2-3 years anyway. >> >> This is only one of a number of reasons the insurance company booted us. >> We screwed up and went cheap, through a value-added service our long time >> mortgage broker offered. The policy was with “Hippo”, a totally online home >> insurer. They were easily $600 less than Allstate, our insurer of first >> resort. We’re talking $1800 vs. $1200. I should have known something was >> fishy here. >> >> About 3-4 months ago I got a copy of their underwriter’s report. I read >> through it line by line and realized when I was done that this didn’t even >> sound like our house. It wasn’t minor stuff, it was things like them saying >> it was slab-on-grade when it’s on a foundation with a crawl space. They >> didn’t even list the garage or note that it had living space (casita) in it. >> >> I made a list of discrepancies and called them. Had to leave a message >> with a customer service person, as I wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone in >> underwriting. About two weeks later I get a call from someone in >> Underwriting, and they told me they corrected some of the discrepancies I >> pointed out, but the rest were “minor” issues I “shouldn’t worry about”. >> Yeah, that gave me the warm fuzzies, for sure. >> >> So this morning I get an email from them with a non-renewal notice: >> >> "Stairs, porches or decks without a properly installed railing does not >> meet underwriting eligibility. General condition of roof does not meet >> underwriting eligibility. Unable to verify that the major systems of the >> home have been updated.” >> >> There are steps to the side door of the house made of pavers, >> professionally done by the PO, but there’s no handrail. Think 180 degree 6” >> rise steps against the exterior wall, four or five high, I think. Yeah, >> I’ll give them the roof. “Unable to verify major systems”? They never >> inspected the house or even asked to. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, all >> redone. >> >> They screwed up and pooched this one, so they’re bailing. It’s that >> simple. And that’s no doubt why they were so cheap, too. That’s on me, I >> should have known better. >> >> So tomorrow morning I’ll call our Allstate agent in Flagstaff. >> >> -D >> >> > On May 30, 2022, at 3:34 PM, Allan Streib via Mercedes < >> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> > >> > Never heard of insurance canceling because of the age of the roof. I've >> also had roofs redone a couple of times and never informed the insurance >> company. >> > >> > Who is your insurance with? >> > >> > >> > On Mon, May 30, 2022, at 3:28 PM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes wrote: >> >> The solar co-op in Flagstaff has already contacted me and said my >> >> property looks like a good candidate. I think not based on my knowledge >> >> of the trees and where the sun falls throughout the day on the roof of >> >> the house. That said, my (detached) garage has a very clear view of the >> >> sky through most of the day, so that’s always a possibility. >> >> >> >> Looks like a new roof is in my future anyway, as I just got a notice of >> >> cancellation from my homeowner’s insurance company this morning. One of >> >> the reasons they cited was the age of my roof. What’s funny is that >> >> they were falling all over themselves wanting to insure me when I >> >> bought the house. I saw the underwriting statement and the description >> >> wasn’t anything like my house - they described it as a slab on grade >> >> (foundation with a crawl) the square footage was wrong and it didn’t >> >> even mention my detached garage. I brought this to their attention >> >> about a month ago when I saw the underwriter’s report. They called me >> >> up and explained that they would be changing the report to reflect the >> >> property as it was built. >> >> >> >> Probably why they booted me. Jerks. >> >> >> >> -D >> >> >> >>> On May 30, 2022, at 3:02 PM, Allan Streib via Mercedes < >> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> >>> >> >>> I have the typical gabled roof, 6/12 pitch except over the front >> porch, and the peak runs roughly north/south. So half the roof gets sun in >> the morning, the other half gets sun in the afternoon. >> >>> >> >>> To get sun all day I'd have to put solar panels on a separate support >> structure in the back yard. No matter where I put them I'd have to cut down >> trees if I wanted to maximize exposure. >> >>> >> >>> I'd much rather just pay the REMC one or two hundred a month or so. >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> On Mon, May 30, 2022, at 2:32 PM, Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes wrote: >> >>>> Yeah but not where the panels would need to be. It’s a conundrum >> >>>> >> >>>> --FT >> >>>> Sent from iFōn >> >>>> >> >>>>> On May 30, 2022, at 2:13 PM, MG via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >> wrote: >> >>>>> >> >>>>> Don't you need a nice large roofed over area to keep your cars >> under? >> >>>>> >> >>>>> When I did mine the cost of the 24x32 south angled solar support >> structure was included in the gov rebates. Also happens to keep the rain >> off the cars or any projects I am working on. >> >>>>> >> >>>>> MG >> >>>>> >> >>>>> Floyd Thursby via Mercedes wrote: >> >>>>>> I have a philosophical aversion to making decisions based on tax >> credits or anything involving gummint "help." >> >>>>>> A friend of mine was all excited a few weeks ago about getting >> solar panels on his roof, tax credits and all that. He is a world-class >> ecologist and ocean researcher so he is into the environmental aspects of >> the schemes. Whatever. I popped by the other day to pick up something and >> he was lamenting the whole thing, the contractor (sourced through the >> electric company) was completely incompetent, etc. so he sent them on their >> way. The whole thing is on hold. >> >>>>>> Another buddy apparently has a system installed now and is waiting >> for a Tesla battery to provide some stand-alone capacity in the event of >> power outage. I was over there recently but it was dark and I didn't see >> the install. >> >>>>>> I have been thinking once I move to my more rural estate I might do >> some solar but it would likely require a solar "farm" i.e., free-standing >> panels on some racks or something because of the layout of the estate. But >> then I think about a tank of fuel with a generator to run things and that >> seems a better deal. >> >>>>>> --FT >> >>>>>>> On 5/27/22 12:55 PM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes wrote: >> >>>>>>> This is my position. I’m more than wiling to “go green” if it >> makes good financial sense. At present and for the foreseeable future, it >> doesn’t. That’s whether it pertains to cars or stationary power systems. >> >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> -D >> >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> On May 27, 2022, at 12:51 PM, G Mann via Mercedes< >> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> In the interest of a reality check on that thought, consider this. >> >>>>>>>> 1. Since you would not be able to do a grid tie to the solar >> panels, you >> >>>>>>>> would not receive any government matching funds for purchase and >> install of >> >>>>>>>> the solar rack. Your cost for a 10KW solar array would be, >> approx, $15,000. >> >>>>>>>> 2. You then need an enclosed and vented space for a battery bank >> [insert >> >>>>>>>> cost per sq. ft of house area.] >> >>>>>>>> 3. You then need to purchase and maintain a battery bank. >> Estimated $8 to >> >>>>>>>> $10,000, with cables and racks. >> >>>>>>>> 4. Now, a solar controller, to control battery bank charging and >> inverter >> >>>>>>>> to control car charging. Estimate, $8 to $10,000 for that >> equipment. >> >>>>>>>> Which gives rise to the question: "Does $8 per gallon for diesel >> sound so >> >>>>>>>> bad in comparison, or are you truly committed to "Go Green via an >> EV"? >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> On Fri, May 27, 2022 at 7:20 AM Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes < >> >>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> Putting aside the environmental and international economic and >> security >> >>>>>>>>> issues associated with lithium batteries and PV panels, I like >> the idea of >> >>>>>>>>> a garage with PV panels to charge your car. Of course you would >> need >> >>>>>>>>> storage batteries in your garage to collect and store the >> electrons from >> >>>>>>>>> solar photons so you can charge your car at night. The whole >> process should >> >>>>>>>>> be on the order of maybe 8% efficient if you’re lucky. >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> --FT >> >>>>>>>>> Sent from iFōn >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> On May 27, 2022, at 4:31 AM, mitch--- via Mercedes < >> >>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> >>>>>>>>>> When I first heard of ZEVs, I thought "Oh, you mean Remote >> Emissions >> >>>>>>>>> Vehicles". >> >>>>>>>>>> Mitch. >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> On 2022-05-26 17:24, dan penoff.com via Mercedes wrote: >> >>>>>>>>>>> And I don’t want to start the back and forth up, but the >> electricity >> >>>>>>>>>>> to charge those batteries has to come from somewhere, and it’s >> likely >> >>>>>>>>>>> generated using fossil fuels at present. >> >>>>>>>>>>> So the emissions are going to come from somewhere in the >> process, just >> >>>>>>>>>>> not from a tailpipe on the car in this case. >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> To search list archiveshttp://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> To search list archiveshttp://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> To search list archiveshttp://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> To search list archiveshttp://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>>>>>> >> >>>>> >> >>>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>>> >> >>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>>> >> >>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> _______________________________________ >> >>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>>> >> >>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>>> >> >>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>> >> >>> _______________________________________ >> >>> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >>> >> >>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >>> >> >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >>> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________ >> >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > >> > _______________________________________ >> > http://www.okiebenz.com >> > >> > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> > >> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >> > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
