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utility reduction (1 Viewer)

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saltyanimals

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Have you thought about going solar? I just installed Tesla Solar a couple weeks ago and so far love it! Depending on your actual usage (in kWh) daily, you can size a system to support it. For reference, I used 21k kWH going back 12 months of bill. And sized my system and estimate I would net out even for the year. My solar only was $18k. Not cheap, but you'll have to do the math on payback period which depends on your usage and bill. For me it'll be 5-7 yrs and that's because I actually have a lower bill given home is newer and bit greener. The way I see it is that I'll pay into a loan instead of electric company and eventually pay no one when that loan is paid off.
 

Rio1969

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Have you thought about going solar? I just installed Tesla Solar a couple weeks ago and so far love it! Depending on your actual usage (in kWh) daily, you can size a system to support it. For reference, I used 21k kWH going back 12 months of bill. And sized my system and estimate I would net out even for the year. My solar only was $18k. Not cheap, but you'll have to do the math on payback period which depends on your usage and bill. For me it'll be 5-7 yrs and that's because I actually have a lower bill given home is newer and bit greener. The way I see it is that I'll pay into a loan instead of electric company and eventually pay no one when that loan is paid off.
Does your system have a battery back up?
 
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reeftopia

reeftopia

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I had several companies come out and give me quotes. Myself could see no savings at all. It was a 10 to 12 yr payback and that did not account for any
maintenance. Believe me thats a long time to consider no maintenance. Not to mention possible storm damage. Using your figures you will need to save
$3000 a year for system to pay for its self in 7 years. That is saying a $250 a month electric bill will be $0 for 7 years.
 

decimal

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need to consider adding some $$ in ecotech batteries into that equation and/or the cost of that generac generator. the solar system will provide consistent power delivery as well as storage right?
 

RR-MAN

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need to consider adding some $$ in ecotech batteries into that equation and/or the cost of that generac generator. the solar system will provide consistent power delivery as well as storage right?

Just as an FYI-

I had 4 ecotech batteries daisy chained together. It lasted a few years but then batteries died @ ~$165 per battery

When I opened the battery backup- cheap 12 V battery which cost $32 on Amazon.

So for over $600 I could’ve built a powerhouse with marine cycle batteries and im sure it would’ve lasted a lot longer.

So the moral of the story DIY battery backup is much better & cheaper [emoji4]
 
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saltyanimals

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I had several companies come out and give me quotes. Myself could see no savings at all. It was a 10 to 12 yr payback and that did not account for any
maintenance. Believe me thats a long time to consider no maintenance. Not to mention possible storm damage. Using your figures you will need to save
$3000 a year for system to pay for its self in 7 years. That is saying a $250 a month electric bill will be $0 for 7 years.

that’s the exact rationale. You would pay for electricity anyways. How much is your electricity annually? Apply that same amount towards the solar loan and at some point your solar is paid off. Or forever paying for electricity.

I am curious though. What kind of maintenance? Hosing off panels if you have lots of trees and leaves but what else?
 
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reeftopia

reeftopia

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Every thing is subject to corrosion especially in Houston climate. Eventually you will need a new roof. That means everything will
need to be taken down and reinstalled. When your looking at a 15 yr payoff chances are your will be paying all over again.
 

saltyanimals

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Every thing is subject to corrosion especially in Houston climate. Eventually you will need a new roof. That means everything will
need to be taken down and reinstalled. When your looking at a 15 yr payoff chances are your will be paying all over again.

That’s a given that everyone will eventually need a new roof at some point. You're correct that part of the decision should be on the condition of your current roof. Not sure of the labor, but I would factor in a few thousand dollars to have solar taken down and reinstalled to the total cost of your roof replacement. That's a given, but I wouldn't say it resets your payment breakeven clock by any means. These things are very tough and designed for the elements. The decision also lies in how long you plan to say in your current home as well and personal goals. For us, being a new home I would imagine I would be here at least the 5-7 years for when my panels are paid off. The key for us is paying into this loan during this period instead of electric bills. And if we do decide to move in 5-7 years.. I wouldn't say there was much of an opportunity lost. Again paying into the panels which may even be attractive for the next home buyer to buy a solar powered electric-bill free home. =)

And in 10-15+ years when we eventually need a new roof... I'm sure the good portion of roof replacements options would be similar to the Telsa Solar roofing tiles as that technology matures. I see us all getting away from fossil and to greener energy in the future. I mean.. why not? If my home is able to produce 150% of my consumption with just the panels on my roof... why would any one pay the electric company forever...

I don't sell solar for a living or anything.. lol. Just saw that you were talking about utility reduction in this thread. This is a huge way to reduce or eliminate it.
 

decimal

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lol and i believe the value in solar lies in the ability to provide uninterrupted power. those generac things are just like all other engines, if they don't get started on a regular basis and get the maintenance they require, they don't start when you need them. i don't think anyone cares what they really pay for electricity (within reason) as long as its there when they need it. say what you will, but if all of a sudden there was some minimum or a premium to ensure i received 24hr electricity vs regular brown outs, i would pay it as long as i could afford it and so would everyone else.
 

saltyanimals

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lol and i believe the value in solar lies in the ability to provide uninterrupted power. those generac things are just like all other engines, if they don't get started on a regular basis and get the maintenance they require, they don't start when you need them. i don't think anyone cares what they really pay for electricity (within reason) as long as its there when they need it. say what you will, but if all of a sudden there was some minimum or a premium to ensure i received 24hr electricity vs regular brown outs, i would pay it as long as i could afford it and so would everyone else.

Agreed and on this forum means our tanks all run during a power outage situation.
I would have gone for about 4 days completed off the grid except my family decided to turn Sunday night into a late night bake-off which drained my home batteries before the sun could charge them again in the morning. Batteries and large ovens don’t mix. Otherwise I could have prob kept going for awhile. Lol
 
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