Denver-area power company "locks" smart thermostats....

[cqaigy2]

Ah, naw, not yet at least.. Better read the report.

Really? Not just reading, but comprehension is required apparently. "The contamination discharged into the Columbia River is a potential threat to fish and wildlife and their habitat."


Not my job, but when i worked at the reservation, i talked to people that monitored the leakage, they said that they could "finger print" the reactors and tell you from which reactor the waste was generated.

 

[cqaigy2]

Knock on wood, my hot water heater is still going from 95. Replace an element. I've sucked the crud out of the bottom a couple times, the second was when the element burned out, probably because i didn't clean it out in time. The sediment was over the element.

 

[5030]

Knock on wood, my hot water heater is still going from 95. Replace an element. I've sucked the crud out of the bottom a couple times, the second was when the element burned out, probably because i didn't clean it out in time. The sediment was over the element.

I do a drain on mine monthly and same with the rentals.

 

[LD1]

On subject, I'd never have a smart thermostat, bad enough having a 'smart electric meter' that the power company has control of.

While its not a requirement to have an HVAC system....smart t-stats can be pretty handy.

Just like going from a flop phone to a smart phone.....where you have camera, compass, level, and infinite internet wisdom at your fingertips....t-stats have evolved.

I have an ecobee. And while 99% of the time its just used to select between heat/cool/off, or set a temp....it has alot of other unique features.

First, I can control it from my phone. So If I shut it off when we go on vacation or even gone all day, I can turn it on a few hours before coming home. And while not really efficient for heat-pumps....a daily setback when at work is quite efficient on other heating sources. Cant do that with an old-school t-stat. And I can also set a timer on the FAN only. Where as old-school its either on, off, or auto(run when HVAC runs). Bu I can set a timer on mine in 15min increments to circulate the air in the house (even out temp between basement and upstairs) and not have to worry about forgetting to shut it off.

Not trying to sell you on a smart t-stat....but they do have their merits

 

[ultrarunner]

I never drain and typically 20+ years and sometimes over 30 years... all natural gas.

I've found what shortens life is frequent high temp cycling.

Put all new heaters in a 6 Plex... the one that went at 7 years was a large family and kept the heater on max to get more hot water for all the showers each day...

 

[71bronco]

GeoTank® hot water storage tank | WaterFurnace

Capture preheated hot water from your geothermal unit for home use

www.waterfurnace.com

Mines the same. It heats water with the excess heat before its returned to the ground. I have a preheat tank and a tank that gets the water hot enough for use in the house. Very efficient.

Jeff

 

[5030]

Actually, I'd prefer a flip phone with no 'features' but calling. I don't care for all the 'app crap' my Galaxy has and never use the stuff anyway. In fact I'd rather not even have a cell phone only reason I do have it for necessary communication. I must prefer my SAT phone but a SAT phone is not only expensive to own, it's expensive to use. Air time is costly.

 

[5030]

Mines the same. It heats water with the excess heat before its returned to the ground. I have a preheat tank and a tank that gets the water hot enough for use in the house. Very efficient.

Jeff

ROI on a 'water furnace' for us in out of the question. Too old to realize the savings. Of I was 20 years younger, I'd have one.

 

[71bronco]

ROI on a 'water furnace' for us in out of the question. Too old to realize the savings. Of I was 20 years younger, I'd have one.

We put our geothermal in when the government was giving 30% tax incentive. Our heatpump was fading fast so I needed to replace it anyway. 11 years ago and I would say its paid off in savings.

Jeff

 

[deserteagle71]

I never drain and typically 20+ years and sometimes over 30 years... all natural gas.

So......what are you planning to replace those natural gas furnaces with?

California moves to become first in nation to ban natural gas furnaces and heaters by 2030

California is committing to a plan to phase out gas-fueled furnaces and water heaters in homes, a move environmentalists are betting will provide a template for other states.

www.siliconvalley.com