Another One Bites the Dust?

[jnfallon]

Two things.

1) My wife has been after me about turning off lights, etc. I, of course, have been pessimistic about what it would save. Well, our new "balanced billing" analysis came out and we're now down to $620/mo instead of almost $800.

2) The ROI on solar is pretty sick. If you're considering making a big investment anywhere, thats a pretty good one. Cash flow positive from day one.

3) I love the LED's, but from an ROI perspective they are not a good investment (who keeps equip for 12 years anyway?), they are just candy at the moment. Hopefully prices will drop quickly. Remember when plasma tv's were 15k? When they are $1/watt I will buy them.

Just my .02. Please read 1 & 2 again. I had no idea how much energy I could save turning off lights, nor what a great investment solar was. How often can you get paid for doing the right thing?

 

[Reef Junkie]

I do agree that this is a great idea and a perfect fit for replacing metal halide, but again the initial cost of the Solaris makes it financially lateral. If not negatively unbalanced.

If the units cost 40% less, then it would be a viable solution and I would switch.

Right now it appears that the only true benefit to purchasing a Solaris is the reduction in heat to the tanks water.

 

[shyland83]

the sunrise sunset and moon phase features are pretty cool. If i had 3 grand burning a hole in my pocket i would go for it. But I think for them to claim that it's the right financial decision is crazy.

 

[Paul B]

My tank is 6' long and so far in three decades I do not run a chiller. I have one that needs refrigerant but I never used it. I keep a couple of large soda bottles filled with water in the freezer and put one in the tank each morning. Never had a problem. As for lights, I save money because my tank really neds 3 175 watt MH lights but I run two. The ends of the tank are a little dark but I only put the corals that need light under the lights. Makes less heat too.
I also recently lost most of my corals in a couple of weeks. I called the water company and they added zinc orthophosphate to the water to control corrosion in the pipes. I use RO/DI and aparently some of the zinc gets through anyway because this is the second time this has happened to my tank. You may have the same water company as me, I am in New Hyde Park.
But if you want to get rid of the reef, Mudskippers, thats the way to go :lol:
Goog luck.
Paul

(who keeps equip for 12 years anyway?),

You kidding, 12 years it's just broken in

 

[bobbbm]

Since we are talking about solar energy can someone explain how you can save money from such a big investment? I have a friend that does it and it never makes sense to me.

 

[shyland83]

lots of rebates and incentives i think

 

[qy7400]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10142252#post10142252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobbbm
Since we are talking about solar energy can someone explain how you can save money from such a big investment? I have a friend that does it and it never makes sense to me.

Think long term....say your average electric bill is $3,000/yr, a PV system after all the incentives and rebates cost say $45,000. In 15 years the system is paid for and the next 5 years are all free (I think the battery life is 20 years before you have to change them). Now add in that any excess power the system generates is sold back to LIPA your monthly electric bill could be a credit each month. It does take a while to start going the other way but once it does the savings add up every month.

 

[DEXTER SOLIS]

although the monetary gains is not obvoius in using alternative energy, we would be producing less waste & thereby prolonging our stay on Earth. think of the cost of finding another planet.

 

[jnfallon]

it's much simpler than that.

take for instance my home. to create 50% of my demand will cost approx 50k.

It will save me approx $310/mo ($620/2)

50k amortized over 30 years at 6% APR = 360 payments of $299.

I MAKE $10 first month, increasing every month.

Plus, my home increases in value approx 50k.

Plus, the $299/mo is tax deductable (at least the interest part is, and at first its all interest), so it's net cost is really about $200/mo.

Profitable from day one, with no money down, and while "saving the planet".

 

[cthetoy]

You guys are lucky about your kw/rates. Out here in California its tripled !!

$0.41 kw/h for us California reefers

 

[pecan2phat]

Can I say again, $0.11 a kilowatt

 

[Reef Junkie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10146358#post10146358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cthetoy
You guys are lucky about your kw/rates. Out here in California its tripled !!

$0.41 kw/h for us California reefers

Well, maybe this will make you smile...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA64g3pi97M