RichNJKubota
Gold Member
I used to subscribe to HomePower magazine. Then I dropped the subscription because where I lived was not suitable for PV or other alternative power (middle of small town on tiny lots and lots of trees). But the seeds were planted. We moved and now I live in a solar heated house with PV system and solar hot water system. The house is zero-energy - meaning the solar systems produce all the energy the house needs.
That's why I asked allot of questions. And I see you too have the bug to be more self sufficient. Of course, you have to be since you have no connection to the grid. We are grid tied here.
Peter - you may want to consider a solar hot water system. We have no backup. Just solar hot water and so far we've done OK. It's been running now for about 10 months. There were a few days in the dead of winter when we washed dishes by hand and either took warmish showers or waited for a sunny day. On sunny days in the winter there is enough hot water left over to provide a bit of heat to the house.
One day I'll put a small electric whole house instant hot water heater for backup. Probably before next winter.
That's why I asked allot of questions. And I see you too have the bug to be more self sufficient. Of course, you have to be since you have no connection to the grid. We are grid tied here.
Peter - you may want to consider a solar hot water system. We have no backup. Just solar hot water and so far we've done OK. It's been running now for about 10 months. There were a few days in the dead of winter when we washed dishes by hand and either took warmish showers or waited for a sunny day. On sunny days in the winter there is enough hot water left over to provide a bit of heat to the house.
One day I'll put a small electric whole house instant hot water heater for backup. Probably before next winter.