Electric bill trhough the roof... ouch

Not only having to change bulbs every 6-8 Months with 40% less energy costs in running the fixture, but the cost savings in not having to run a chiller will make up for that front end cost in no time. They are expensive, but the cost savings will not only save many money in the long run, but might make it possible for some people to remain in the hobby.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7759290#post7759290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fmellish
My wife called edison today, they claim our usage during the bill's period was three times that of the previous billing period.

We don't really use our A/C much. It's set to 82, but it doesn't come on often.

I just can't remember what we did last period that accounted for a 300% increase in usage.

The bill mentioned a 55% increase, and that sucks. But for them to state that we used 300% more energy than we normally do, that just doesn't make sense.

Ok people, time to start up a solar "group buy". Maybe if we can place an order for 10-20 roofs we can get a deal?

Cheers
Josh
Click to expand...

I'm seriously considering getting solar panels on my patio cover and roof. I even had electrical conduit run to my main circuit breaker when we did our landscaping, just for this purpose.

Several of my neighbors have solar systems, in some cases they were features that the builders offered during construction.

Given that we live in one of the sunniest places in the world, we will benefit the most from having solar systems, most notably if you plan on staying in your home

I'm jazzed by the idea of having a $0 to little power bill every month while running everything electrical in my house ALL THE TIME, FULL BLAST with complete disregard as to the costs of doing so.

FREE POWER!! MUHAHAHAHA!
 
I was just looking at some companies online that do solar installations, and you need a large amount of South facing roof to do it.

My roof slopes face west and east, so I guess I wouldn't be able to do it.

The small systems cost around $15,000, but for the a ount of watts would need to generate I think the systems cost $30-$40.

If the government thinks it is soo important to reduce our incentive on foreign oil, then why don't they subsidize these solar installation companies so the price is more affordable? A $2,000 credit just don't mean much.

Josh
 
I went from $73 last month to $219 this month, big jump, but we've been running the AC set at 68 for the whole month.

As for energy subsidies, there are plenty, and there are plenty more they could do, but won't. One of the biggest would be ethanol subsidies, as most cars can run off of ethanol with about $50 in modifications, and ethanol can be produced domestically for way less than $1/gallon.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7759274#post7759274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mnollar
Luckily the new LED lighting systems are here to save us and our energy consumption... Not to mention cooling costs and bulb replacement.

Solaris LED Aquarium Lighting
Click to expand...

SolarisAdLarge.jpg


My wife does blame it all on the aquarium. So maybe this would help.

Josh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760127#post7760127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjirsa78
I went from $73 last month to $219 this month, big jump, but we've been running the AC set at 68 for the whole month.

As for energy subsidies, there are plenty, and there are plenty more they could do, but won't. One of the biggest would be ethanol subsidies, as most cars can run off of ethanol with about $50 in modifications, and ethanol can be produced domestically for way less than $1/gallon.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I was watching the Discovery Channel and I think they were talking about how the cars in Chile or some other country in South America all run on Ethanol.

Oddly, the cost of regular gasoline is extremely low down in South America, in some areas it's way less than $1/gallon. This is because they pump and refine it locally, unlike the majority of oil here in the U.S.

I would love to get a solar system for the house. Get a modified hybrid car (that allows you to plug it in) and run the damn thing mainly from generated electricity from the house. That would be nice.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760193#post7760193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fmellish


My wife does blame it all on the aquarium. So maybe this would help.

Josh
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I know her well, and she'll never let you buy that.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760240#post7760240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BONDQ
I know her well, and she'll never let you buy that.
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But it will pay for itself in 4 edison billing cycles!
 
The wife and I just decided to put off redoing the kitchen and buy a PV (solar electric) system instead. Both the roof on my 1922 bungalow and the new garage out back are south-facing, so I just gotta come up with the $$ and do it.

It will be grid attached, probably 3KW for now. We can always add later once the roof on the house is redone. Batteries are also an option, so the excess goes to battery first, then the grid :)
 
Hey, if you have a southern exposure and a slanted lot, you can always tear down the house and rebuild it geothermal. No more heating systems or AC required unless you want it just in case. Throw up a solar system on the roof and tell Edison to take a hike, permanently.

http://enertia.com/index.htm <--- Does group buys :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7742448#post7742448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raskal311
they day my bill hits $500 is the day I quit this hobby :D Last bill was $170 which is about $40 more then average. The extra $40 is from the 8+ fans we have running inside the house (geto house no ac)
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I quit the hobby when mine got $450 in So Cal.

Got my first Seattle bill last week. $140, full reef going and wife/kid in the house 24/7....

Oh yeah... No income tax in Washington too. :P Hope that doesn't make you all too jealous! :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7756102#post7756102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by omeg
scotchmaster, thank the mouse!!!!
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I love the mouse! $200 for 2 months with the AC running 24/7 and the tank....awesome!
 
you're thinking of brazil. they harvest sugar cane and refine it into ethanol.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760223#post7760223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BONDQ
Yeah, I was watching the Discovery Channel and I think they were talking about how the cars in Chile or some other country in South America all run on Ethanol.

Oddly, the cost of regular gasoline is extremely low down in South America, in some areas it's way less than $1/gallon. This is because they pump and refine it locally, unlike the majority of oil here in the U.S.

I would love to get a solar system for the house. Get a modified hybrid car (that allows you to plug it in) and run the damn thing mainly from generated electricity from the house. That would be nice.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah were not allowed to purchase sugar cane for anything in the US, only corn. Thus you have corn syrup for soda, and the huge push to only use corn in our own E85 even though its less efficient and has more impurities. Gotta love the farmer lobbiests...
 
Except that then you truck it to CA and expend more energy to get it here. Ethanol is a great option in some states, but actually drives prices up here.

Biodiesel is a good option for CA.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760949#post7760949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wilafur
you're thinking of brazil. they harvest sugar cane and refine it into ethanol.
Click to expand...

Ah Yes, Brazil that was it.

Ethanol and bikinis, how could I forget ?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7760949#post7760949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wilafur
you're thinking of brazil. they harvest sugar cane and refine it into ethanol.
Click to expand...

Of course the world pays for that sugar cane. The rain forest is burned and replaced by sugarcane, we lose more of the natural buffer for CO2, temps continue to rise, raifall decresses in South America, more rain forest dies, vicious cycle... what will it look like in 20 years, I'm scared.
 
Okay.....since we're on the topic of energy and how it pertains to reef keeping ;) I'll interject my latest aquired knowledge.....It seems most of our Foreign oil comes all the way from......anyone?.....Mexico.....next is some African country (can't remember)...3 rd is the middle East....and finally Venezuela.....why aren't we sending in the troops to Mexico to protect our largest supplier of Oil.....hmmmmmmm

btw....Josh...yer a b@$t@rd!
 
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