Generator vs hybrid solar for power backup
5 years ago
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- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
- 5 years ago
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Solar 'Back-Up' for $3000? Really?
Comments (4). I'll agree that financially at least; you are better off trying to utilize solar heat gain to reduce your bills. PV works and is great; but it is expensive; even with various tax / state incentives that are available. At this time; doing PV doesn't pay back very well in financial terms. I believe that most thermal collectors can justify themselves rather quickly in financial terms . . can be as simple as pre-heating water before going into water heater, etc . . . to dramatically drop consumption. It can also be signifigant in contributing to radiant hydronic heating as well . . since it runs at a relatively low temperature. Consulting with a place that designs / installs such systems will likely give you a very good idea quickly of what makes sense as well as any rebates / incentives / whatever that may be in place where you are. I read that every dollar you spend in REDUCING your electric needs; will reduce the cost of a PV system by $ 20. By paying careful attention to what you have that uses electricity; and buying new stuff based on energy consumption rather than doo-dads; you can likely reduce you consumption signifigantly. I've got a 2.8 kW PV system here in central New York state; certainly NOT the sun capital of the world . . . am presently supplying about 80% of my annual electricity. 200 to 500W system is NOT going to run much of anything. Take a look at the power consumption of things you'd like to run at such times . . fridge, sump pump, whatever . . . see what they add up to. My system ( which included battery back-up at my request ) was a little over $ 30k. After state incentives, tax credit, and Fed tax credit; it was about half that out of my pocket. Still doesn't really "pay" for itself in financial terms at today's rates. But, I've got the satisfaction of knowing I've got back-up that kicks in IMMEDIATELY . . . ( you might see the lights flicker just a bit ), I'll never have to drain my heating system / pipes due to winter outages, my system WILL make financial sense when energy costs go up, and I'm doing something good for us all . . . Bob...See MoreHybrid System - Trane vs Bryant, Trane XL15I vs XL16I HP
Comments (82)I'm still waiting for a response from the Contractor, who has been sick the last few days, and I am still pushing for the HW Vision Pro IAQ Stat to be installed. Another question. I am thinking about going with the Air Handler with Heat Strips as the backup system to the Heatpump, instead of having the Gas Furnace. The main reasons for going with the Air Handler and Heat Strips is because the Effeciency ratings are actually higher for the Heatpumps with this configuration, and according to the Contractor the Air Handler and Heat Strips are less complex and should have fewer problems. My question is two fold. 1 - Do you agree with that statement and do you think going with the Air Handler and Heat Strips over the Gas Furnace is a good idea? 2 - Any feedback on what we can expect for the Heat that the Heat Strips put out, vs what we would have with the Gas Furnace? My wife is not thrilled with the so called "Heat" from our existing Heatpump, but that should be better with these new Heatpumps. But she Loves the Warmth of the Gas Furnace when that kicks in, and she wants to make sure that we aren't giving that up by going with Heat Strips vs the Gas Furnace. So any additional advice and input would be greatly appreciated since we have no experience with Air Handlers and Heat Strips as a backup heat source. Thanks!...See MoreHoneywell Backup Generator Question
Comments (11)A hard start kit will only make a small dent in the starting load for the HP. Wiring it differently may help by keeping the heat strips out of the backed-up circuits, but you may notice their absence. An HVAC consult is not likely to help you much unless you are considering a HP replacement. In that case, you will need to find a detail-oriented HVAC pro to help you choose a system (inverter-driven, perhaps) that will play best with a relatively small power source, and have better low-temperature performance so it can heat your home without the need for resistance heat back-up if you get a cold snap. (For all we know, you already have that.) In the end, you have three choices: First, dumb load shedding (simple transfer panel with auto switch) with a relatively small genset, second a big, dumb genset, third, intelligent load shedding with a relatively small genset. The first gives you no versatility powering a limited number of loads, limits fuel consumption and limits your investment in expensive genset and switching hardware. The second will have higher fuel consumption because the genset will be running at a low load a great deal of the time, and higher (genset) hardware costs. The third is more expensive from an auxiliary hardware (controls) point of view, but less into a genset. Fuel consumption will be lower. There is a question about the reliability of automatic load shedding vs. a big dumb generator or a dumb auto transfer switch, but it might be only in my mind. Read up about it. Your decision might depend on how long your outages are. If they are short, fuel is not so much of an issue. Start putting numbers together to see what works best with your needs in mind. There is a 4th alternative that might or might not make sense from a money standpoint. Maybe someone with more hardware experience can be a guide. You get a relatively small genset with an automatic transfer panel supplying your critical loads for when you are absent, heat pump, water heater and refrigerator). Have a second genset attachment to your main panel with a manual transfer switch or lock-out. When you are home, you manage your loads yourself after disconnecting the genset, and reconnecting at the main panel. That might mean turning off your heat pump when you want to do much of anything else....See MoreBackup generator - do I need one?
Comments (28)If your house has a natural gas line, then get a gas-powered generator: it is unlikely that both electricity wire and natural gas pipe will be disrupted at the same time, and you will not have to bring in fuel by hands. For those worried about natural gas disruptions too, all (almost) such natural gas generators can run on propane as well so you can have a tank of that as a back-up. As for maintenance, some of these can be really fancy - automatic periodic start-up (something you are supposed to do with all generators, BTW). Kohler units, for example, go even further. They have an Ethernet port: if hooked up to the Internet, they'll report any detected problems to your vendor and/or manufacturer. This may be especially convenient, if you aren't there in person all the time - in theory, at least, your installer will learn about the issue and fix it without you. Finally, for all those whining about "economically polarized society": You don't know, how good you have it: the poor Americans are still better off, than middle-class Cubans and everyone, even the poorest, still belong to the "golden billion". Any attempts to make everyone equally rich (and we are set to keep doing that for four more years now) result only in everyone becoming equally poor - take that from a USSR escapee... Peace......See More- 5 years ago
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