Alternate electric ideas

We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it, but this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something... on a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range), then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing. With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not considering?

- Jason

Reply to
Jason
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does it make purring noises like an engine?

or are there electric wires coming into it from a pole?

you know, people were able to live without electricity 100 years ago.

are you serious or are you kidding?

i
Reply to
Ignoramus24108
1) Cut your electric use 2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available 3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is 4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.
Reply to
Stormin Mormon

It is a portable nuclear reactor. It costs much more than $10,000, so it probably isn't practical.

Reply to
Toller

Hi, You have good wind in your area?

Reply to
Tony Hwang

Nope, and nope. I'm in a rural area and own 5 acres of property, and the closest actual pole is at the end of my property; say, 100 yards away. So there is no external source available to this unit, it's completely self supportive.

And it doesn't make any noise at all.

Well, obviously I'm serious. Maybe I didn't explain the situation well; I'm curious what alternatives (legal alternatives) people have come up with to create their own electricity, without paying a separate electric company.

I know of solar panels, and I know a local guy that uses a water wheel. But this self-supportive unit has caught my interest, and I'm sure that there must be other ideas out there.

- J

Reply to
Jason

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it feels awfully high.

Good idea.

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my current bill.

- J

Reply to
Jason

You have a hot tub and you;re complaining about the price of the electric ?????????????????? You just answered your own question. Those things are power hungry. Plus the AC..... I'm surprised its not higher....

If you are going to do anything to cut your electric bills, get a solar heater for the hot tub. Actually you can make your own if you are handy.

As for that thing the power company connected, I have no clue if it does not have an engine. Most people ask questions to the source. I would have asked them what it is...

Reply to
maradcliff

Andy writes: You have greatly underestimated the price of a solar system that will meet your needs.

To supply electricity EQUAL to the amount you are using from the grid ( $200 a month at probably 12 cents per kwh) will require a much much higher initial cost than the 10,000 you have stated.

Your best bet would be to buy a large generator.

On the other hand, if you cut your power useage down to the point where a 10K solar system would supply it, you will be amazed at the decrease in your electric bill.

There is a LOT more to a solar system than just buying some panels and hooking them up..... Most people who try it become disillusioned and go back to the grid, if they have the opportunity. The only real useage for a solar system is when someone has no choice, such as remote cabins or sailboats......

Andy in Eureka, Texas

Reply to
Andy

You are all electric? Hot tub , cooking, laundry, water heater? To off grid power all of that might cost 100000, I realy dont know how much. Propane might be cheaper for apliances, run comparison numbers. alt.energy.homepower is where you will get numbers for alternates. A generator will cost you more than you pay now.

Reply to
m Ransley

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my

If you're really handy with tools and the like, a diesel generator can be cost effective. They are most cost effective if you pipe the cooling system so as to heat your house with the cooling water.

It's the owner's "sweat equity" that usually provides the greatest cost saving. You provide "free" labor and reap the benefit. If you're not savvy enough to provide the labor, it's no longer a good deal.

Regards Old Al

Reply to
oldal4865

Regarding solar power, it's one of the biggest scams going. The cost for a 6KW system is around $50K. A 9KW is around $75K, and even that isn't going to supply the full load of a typical home with AC and the usual other loads. Nor does it supply anything at night.

Now the looney tune environmentalists will try to tell you how it is a great alternative, cost effective and the answer to our energy problems. But, that's only because in many areas, there are huge subsidies to make it look better. For example, here in NJ, that $50K system winds up costing the consumer about $13K, with the other $37K coming from the tax payers to fund this stupidity. If even a few percent of homes did this, there wouldn't be enough tax money to finanace it.

In the real world, if you paid the $75K and finanaced it like the rest of the house with a 6% mortgage, the interest alone would be $4500 a year, which is more than a regular electric bill. Plus, there are going to be maintenance costs, it doesn't last forever, etc.

Regarding the mystery box the electric company wheeled over, this has to be a troll. A mystery box wheeled over on a handtruck running AC and the rest of the house and lasting for 2 days? Powering the heat and AC? When's the last time you needed both in a 2 day day period? And what's the big mystery when the OP asked the utility guy what it was? Anytime I've asked, they;ve always been happy to provide info. Plus, no markings, name, etc on the unit identifying what it is?

Reply to
trader4

Now you done it. AlQuida will trace his ISP and come steal it. Good going.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it feels awfully high. CY: Yes, it gets you thinking. I've found that any kind of electric heat is expensive. Such as hot tubs. Also things with compressors tend to be expensive. I had a big electric bill one month cause I was running a dehumidifer after I shampood the carpets. Refrigerators and AC have compressors, too.

Good idea. CY: I had an off peak meter one time, when I had electric baseboard heat. At least part of the day had a cheaper rate.

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen. CY: That's a real shame. Does the gadget have any name plates that give you a clue?

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my current bill. CY: Gasoline is a bit pricey. I'd guess propane is also pricey. If you're in a rural area, makes me wonder if a diesel or propane generator would pay for itself. Since you're not driving it on the road, a diesel generator oughta be legal to run on home heating oil, which is much less taxed t han road diesel.

- J

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Diesel generators can run on "off road" diesel - it simply has a dye in it to identify it as such. It is taxed at a lower rate than the road use fuel. Just don't get caught using it on your truck or something.

Home heating oil may or may not work well in a diesel engine. Depends on the grade. Besides, its not cheap either. I would tend to run at #2 diesel in the summer and #1 (or a blend) in the winter to get the most out of your generator. Going cheap will just cost you in maintenance and repairs later on. The old saying goes, "you can pay now or pay later..." Also, if you do consider a generator, be sure to spec it for continous duty ("prime" power, not "standby" power) - have you considered the noise factor?

I bet though, it you do the analysis, you'll find the power company power to be the most cost effective for your situation. Wind power might be something to consider. As others have said, solar probably isn't a good choice for you. If you do some carefull analysis of your electrical use, you will likely find several areas of savings. How big a family? Are there multiple computers left on when they are not being used? Are lights getting shut off when an area is unoccupied? What temp is the A/C set at? Just bumping that up a couple of degrees can make a difference. Other than the hot tube, you probably won't find much in the way of big consumers of power. More than likely, its a lot of little things that you don't realize are adding up to the big bill.

Reply to
Randy

I am sorry, but it is insane to consider home power generation as an alternative to utility power, if it is available. The costs are going to be dramatically higher, for many reasons, and so will be the hassles, including legal hassles.

Giving suggestions to do so to OP who has apparently no understanding of anything (if he was not joking), is not very helpful either.

This is coming from someone who does own a generator.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus4283

Way less than 100 years ago.

Reply to
Steve Barker LT

Currently still, actually. And showing no signs of changing, either.

Reply to
kevin

Well, LOOK at the goddamn thing! Does it have writing on it? If so, what does the writing say?

All we can tell so far is you have a mysterious box plugged into your house. Best guess, absent any other information, is it's a miniature nuclear power station. Or pigeon coop.

Reply to
HeyBub

It is a religious dictum that our planet can be run by sunbeams. Now the facts are that sunlight falling on the earth's surface is 745 watts/meter2. At the equator. At noon. With no clouds. The only way to increase that value is to move the earth's orbit closer to the sun.

Assuming a 70% conversion factor, it would take a collector farm the size of the Los Angeles basin (~1200 square miles) to provide power for California's needs. In addition, probably 10,000 workers to keep the seagull shit washed off the panels and other maintenance all while everyone in Los Angeles lived in the shadow of the damned thing.

Reply to
HeyBub

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