Anyone using solar power? Anyone thinking about it?

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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
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artwilbur.com
Well I'm in FL and my electric bill without using AC is around $85. I had a guy come out today for a free energy survey, and he told me about going solar for my water heating. He said that of my bill, the water heating can be up to $50-55 and if I go solar, the payment would be either $45 or $87, depending on what plan I would choose. The whole kit is $4500 or $4200 depending on which financing choice is done (though I would take out a student loan myself for it).

So do those numbers sound about right? The guy seems like a really good guy. We spoke about computer stuff and things he needs to set up for his business. It's definately not any kind of a scam, but I am wondering if the numbers are realistic.

As of now, I think I'm going to take out some student loan money and do it. It makes more sense than doing their 9.9% financing. I make $29k/yr from my job and extra money here and there for reference. My mortgage is $930 all included and my house is worth around $200k now.

So is anyone else doing this? Any opinions on the subject?
 
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Rogodin2

Banned
Jul 2, 2003
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I'd do it! I'm planning on building a fully off-grid home here in the next two years-will be using solar/wind to do it-as well as straw bale post and beam construction for the house.

Good Luck!

Rogo
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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At 50$/mo it will take you like 50 years to pay for them... lol

I'd do it, though.
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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In the Caribbean you can lay out 100 feet of black 5/8" rubber hose full of water for an hour in the sun and have enough hot water to make two cups of instant coffee.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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Originally posted by: MS Dawn
In the Caribbean you can lay out 100 feet of black 5/8" rubber hose full of water for an hour in the sun and have enough hot water to make two cups of instant coffee.
Click to expand...
There's a lot more than 2 cups of water in 100 feet of 5/8" hose (ID or OD, doesn't matter).
 
P

PAB

Banned
Dec 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: homestarmy
Well I'm in FL and my electric bill without using AC is around $85. I had a guy come out today for a free energy survey, and he told me about going solar for my water heating. He said that of my bill, the water heating can be up to $50-55 and if I go solar, the payment would be either $45 or $87, depending on what plan I would choose. The whole kit is $4500 or $4200 depending on which financing choice is done (though I would take out a student loan myself for it).

So do those numbers sound about right? The guy seems like a really good guy. We spoke about computer stuff and things he needs to set up for his business. It's definately not any kind of a scam, but I am wondering if the numbers are realistic.

As of now, I think I'm going to take out some student loan money and do it. It makes more sense than doing their 9.9% financing. I make $29k/yr from my job and extra money here and there for reference. My mortgage is $930 all included and my house is worth around $200k now.

So is anyone else doing this? Any opinions on the subject?
Click to expand...

This is a $5000 system that goes ON YOUR ROOF, right?

Note: Isn't hurricane season approaching soon? When that thing comes off - think you're going to be able to hack the piping back together to have hot water when the power kicks back on?

Just a thought.
 
CrackRabbit

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
I ask one question of you, was the guy wanting you to buy the kit from him or it was his sugestion to buy a kit and that was the general estimate of how much it would cost.
If he was wanting you to buy it from him, don't bother even talking to him again, just a salesman disguised as a "consultant".
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
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Originally posted by: Howard

There's a lot more than 2 cups of water in 100 feet of 5/8" hose (ID or OD, doesn't matter).
Click to expand...

Well I can honestly say two because I've never made more than that. :p

And hose is always measured in I.D. Unless you're into doing kinky things with it. Kinky hose hehe. :laugh:
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Originally posted by: Howard

There's a lot more than 2 cups of water in 100 feet of 5/8" hose (ID or OD, doesn't matter).
Click to expand...

Well I can honestly say two because I've never made more than that. :p

And hose is always measured in I.D. Unless you're into doing kinky things with it. Kinky hose hehe. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Yes, better unkink the hoes before the SO finds out.
 
H

homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
3,528
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artwilbur.com
Originally posted by: Eli
At 50$/mo it will take you like 50 years to pay for them... lol

I'd do it, though.
Click to expand...

There's a 30% tax credit. With the $50 (conservative estimate, he said $55) and the tax credit, it would pay itself off in five years from the savings. For instance, in 2.5 years, about $1500 has gone down the drain by not having it.

BTW, I forgot to mention, there are two of us in the household.
 
H

homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
3,528
2
0
artwilbur.com
Originally posted by: PAB

This is a $5000 system that goes ON YOUR ROOF, right?

Note: Isn't hurricane season approaching soon? When that thing comes off - think you're going to be able to hack the piping back together to have hot water when the power kicks back on?

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

It's $4200 minus a 30% tax credit. And it is good for 180 MPH hurricane winds. So when a hurricane comes around, I may not have power, but I'll have hot water.
 
DaTT

DaTT

Garage Moderator
Moderator
Feb 13, 2003
13,295
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I have a level 18 Solar Plant....and 19 solar sats. I'm pretty good for energy.
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
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All the horn and marker boys are now solar powered. Switching to LED's makes them darn near maint free. :)
 
Paratus

Paratus

Lifer
Jun 4, 2004
17,691
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I'm using solar to power the largest manned spacecraft ever flown. See sig.

;)


posted via Palm Life Drive
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
AFAIK, gas is a LOT cheaper than electric. My house is converted as totally to gas as I can get.

Tankless heaters cost a lot, like $1,500, and have limited capacity. They can only heat so much water at a time. If somebody tries to wash clothes, while you're in the shower, the flow would drop to a trickle. Not sure solar would fair much better.
 
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EatSpam

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
6,423
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Originally posted by: Ornery

  1. Why not use natural or LP gas instead? How about On Demand?
Click to expand...

No surprise that someone who wants to buy a Lincoln School Bus would be recommending a fossil fuel product! Own stock in Exxon?
 
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EatSpam

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
6,423
0
0
Originally posted by: Ornery
AFAIK, gas is a LOT cheaper than electric. My house is converted as totally to gas as I can get.

Tankless heaters cost a lot, like $1,500, and have limited capacity. They can only heat so much water at a time. If somebody tries to wash clothes, while you're in the shower, the flow would drop to a trickle. Not sure solar would fair much better.
Click to expand...

I thought the solar systems still had a tank, so it should be the same experience as a typical gas or electric tank water heater.
 
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