ML
    • Recent
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Groups
    • Register
    • Login

    Weekend Plans

    Water Closet
    time waster
    100
    2.7k
    918.4k
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • scottalanmillerS
      scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
      last edited by

      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

      @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

      @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

      Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

      Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

      Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

      Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

      They've got non-lead batteries for that now, too.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • coliverC
        coliver @scottalanmiller
        last edited by

        @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

        @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

        @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

        Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

        Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

        Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

        Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

        Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

        I was wondering if you could do that. Very nice.

        Utilities in NY are required to allow it.

        scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • art_of_shredA
          art_of_shred Banned @coliver
          last edited by

          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

          @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

          @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

          @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

          @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

          Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

          Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

          Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

          Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

          Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

          Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

          scottalanmillerS coliverC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • scottalanmillerS
            scottalanmiller @coliver
            last edited by

            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

            @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

            @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

            @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

            Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

            Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

            Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

            Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

            Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

            I was wondering if you could do that. Very nice.

            Utilities in NY are required to allow it.

            Nice

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • scottalanmillerS
              scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
              last edited by

              @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

              @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

              @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

              @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

              @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

              @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

              Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

              Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

              Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

              Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

              Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

              Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

              Yeah, so very simple, but does not address going "off grip" or using it to replace having a generator.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • coliverC
                coliver @art_of_shred
                last edited by coliver

                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months. He's had a few months where he didn't use as much as he produced and received a credit on his bill.

                art_of_shredA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • art_of_shredA
                  art_of_shred Banned @coliver
                  last edited by

                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                  @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                  @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                  @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                  Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                  Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                  Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                  Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                  Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                  Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                  Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                  That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                  coliverC scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • coliverC
                    coliver @art_of_shred
                    last edited by

                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                    @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                    @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                    Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                    Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                    Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                    Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                    Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                    Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                    Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                    That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                    Yep, offgrid isn't really an option for him, he's got a carpentry and machine shop in his garage so he needs power when he needs.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • scottalanmillerS
                      scottalanmiller @art_of_shred
                      last edited by

                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                      @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                      @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                      Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                      Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                      Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                      Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                      Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                      Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                      Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                      That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                      Solar is cheaper, too. So the whole equation gets better and better.

                      JaredBuschJ travisdh1T 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • JaredBuschJ
                        JaredBusch @scottalanmiller
                        last edited by

                        @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                        @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                        @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                        Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                        Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                        Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                        Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                        Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                        Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                        Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                        That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                        Solar is cheaper, too. So the whole equation gets better and better.

                        Yeah that is forever ago in solar pricing

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • thwrT
                          thwr @RojoLoco
                          last edited by thwr

                          @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                          On Saturday, a local brewpub is having an Oktoberfest celebration... A proper, German style lager on tap, lots of schnitzel unt und spaetzle, a guy with an accordion playing polka, and it's all you can eat and drink for $45. Should be quite a drunkening (just like last year and the year before).

                          FTFY

                          Should I mention that I'm not a big fan of that bavarian stuff? Neven been on the Oktoberfest myself. There's a pretty large river going through Hamburg, one of the largest in Europe, the Elbe. We (who live in the nothern part) call it "Weißwurstgrenze": weisswurst border.

                          Another one is the "white sausage equator" at 49°N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißwurstäquator

                          RojoLocoR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • travisdh1T
                            travisdh1 @scottalanmiller
                            last edited by

                            @scottalanmiller said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @art_of_shred said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver said in Weekend Plans:

                            @JaredBusch said in Weekend Plans:

                            @coliver If I was to build a house, it would have radiant heat in the floors. I would power it with natural gas since it would take too much electric if I tried to use solar. Maybe an electric heater from solar only with gas backup.

                            Yep, radiant will be what we put in. No question there. Our electric up here is pretty expensive and solar isn't as effective as other parts of the country. Although with modern solar cells you can get pretty decent savings if you're piping it back into the grid.

                            Every time I've looked into solar, the ongoing maintenance was enough to all but cancel out the "savings", so I never went that direction.

                            Really? What kind of solar were you looking at? My uncle just put a 4 solar panels in his backyard. Break even date I think was 5-6 years out. The installation included ongoing maintenance.

                            Including the replacement of a lead-acid battery array every few years?

                            Nope, he's wired directly to the grid and just spins the meter back.

                            Ok, so he's converting from DC to AC and simply connecting to the grid. At any given time he could be using his current solar output against his draw. If he uses more (by the month) he pays. If not, does he get a credit? Depends on the arrangement with the local provider.

                            Utilities in NY are required to pay you for the energy you produce. He used to have 300$ bills. He's averaged 16$ the past 5 months.

                            That's pretty cool. When I calculated it, it was more for off-grid and that was about 2010. I know battery tech has changed drastically since then, so I would bet you can get much better batteries (but likely a lot higher cost) now.

                            Solar is cheaper, too. So the whole equation gets better and better.

                            Have prices dropped to the $1-$2 per watt they predicted back around 2006?

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • RojoLocoR
                              RojoLoco @thwr
                              last edited by

                              @thwr said in Weekend Plans:

                              @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                              On Saturday, a local brewpub is having an Oktoberfest celebration... A proper, German style lager on tap, lots of schnitzel unt und spaetzle, a guy with an accordion playing polka, and it's all you can eat and drink for $45. Should be quite a drunkening (just like last year and the year before).

                              FTFY

                              Should I mention that I'm not a big fan of that bavarian stuff? Neven been on the Oktoberfest myself. There's a pretty large river going through Hamburg, one of the largest in Europe, the Elbe. We (who live in the nothern part) call it "Weißwurstgrenze": weisswurst border.

                              Another one is the "white sausage equator" at 49°N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißwurstäquator

                              Thanks for the correction, that's how I learn 🙂

                              We get very few options for any kind of German food here, so Bavarian stuff and weisswurst are just dandy with me. Besides, the restaurant I'm going to has a very nice looking staff who look great in those tight Bavarian outfits 😉

                              thwrT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                              • thwrT
                                thwr @RojoLoco
                                last edited by

                                @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                                @thwr said in Weekend Plans:

                                @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                                On Saturday, a local brewpub is having an Oktoberfest celebration... A proper, German style lager on tap, lots of schnitzel unt und spaetzle, a guy with an accordion playing polka, and it's all you can eat and drink for $45. Should be quite a drunkening (just like last year and the year before).

                                FTFY

                                Should I mention that I'm not a big fan of that bavarian stuff? Neven been on the Oktoberfest myself. There's a pretty large river going through Hamburg, one of the largest in Europe, the Elbe. We (who live in the nothern part) call it "Weißwurstgrenze": weisswurst border.

                                Another one is the "white sausage equator" at 49°N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißwurstäquator

                                Thanks for the correction, that's how I learn 🙂

                                We get very few options for any kind of German food here, so Bavarian stuff and weisswurst are just dandy with me. Besides, the restaurant I'm going to has a very nice looking staff who look great in those tight Bavarian outfits 😉

                                Good enough 😉 Let's just say that not every German wears a Lederhose (leather pants) or a Dirndl or eats Sauerkraut all day long (in fact, I had exactly this today :p)

                                scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • scottalanmillerS
                                  scottalanmiller @thwr
                                  last edited by

                                  @thwr said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @thwr said in Weekend Plans:

                                  @RojoLoco said in Weekend Plans:

                                  On Saturday, a local brewpub is having an Oktoberfest celebration... A proper, German style lager on tap, lots of schnitzel unt und spaetzle, a guy with an accordion playing polka, and it's all you can eat and drink for $45. Should be quite a drunkening (just like last year and the year before).

                                  FTFY

                                  Should I mention that I'm not a big fan of that bavarian stuff? Neven been on the Oktoberfest myself. There's a pretty large river going through Hamburg, one of the largest in Europe, the Elbe. We (who live in the nothern part) call it "Weißwurstgrenze": weisswurst border.

                                  Another one is the "white sausage equator" at 49°N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißwurstäquator

                                  Thanks for the correction, that's how I learn 🙂

                                  We get very few options for any kind of German food here, so Bavarian stuff and weisswurst are just dandy with me. Besides, the restaurant I'm going to has a very nice looking staff who look great in those tight Bavarian outfits 😉

                                  Good enough 😉 Let's just say that not every German wears a Lederhose (leather pants) or a Dirndl or eats Sauerkraut all day long (in fact, I had exactly this today :p)

                                  This one does...

                                  0_1475007236262_7340589650_766447ab9e_k.jpg

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • scottalanmillerS
                                    scottalanmiller
                                    last edited by

                                    0_1475007276312_7155308109_c849322d23_z.jpg

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • scottalanmillerS
                                      scottalanmiller
                                      last edited by

                                      0_1475007305554_7340552778_9f116372b6_z.jpg

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • scottalanmillerS
                                        scottalanmiller
                                        last edited by

                                        0_1475007340496_7340497566_06365f480f_z.jpg

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • scottalanmillerS
                                          scottalanmiller
                                          last edited by

                                          0_1475007526976_7340635984_091c316efa_z.jpg

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • DenisKelleyD
                                            DenisKelley
                                            last edited by

                                            As one who lived in Munich for about 8 years, Octoberfest is awesome.

                                            thwrT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                            • 1
                                            • 2
                                            • 57
                                            • 58
                                            • 59
                                            • 60
                                            • 61
                                            • 134
                                            • 135
                                            • 59 / 135
                                            • First post
                                              Last post