Nobodybusiness
Solar Sponge.
Same way I set mine up.Off grid sounds nice till you’re actually off grid lol.
I must say, I greatly appreciate my ability to throw a transfer switch and be “like everyone else”
Same way I set mine up.Off grid sounds nice till you’re actually off grid lol.
I must say, I greatly appreciate my ability to throw a transfer switch and be “like everyone else”
I've been 9 days without grid power here.. It sucks when you realize there wasn't enough sun to get the bats charged up for the next day.Off grid sounds nice till you’re actually off grid lol.
I must say, I greatly appreciate my ability to throw a transfer switch and be “like everyone else”
I should be clear, I’m by no means against being off grid at all. Hell, I envy the idea of land in the forest and being fully self reliant etc.I've been 9 days without grid power here.. It sucks when you realize there wasn't enough sun to get the bats charged up for the next day.
Being able to flip a switch is nice.. but its almost just as easy to have a generator to charge the battery.. well.. until fuel becomes unavailable, then you go into camping mode until the sun comes out again.
Every appliance we have is energy efficient as we could find. But to your statement, there’s nothing like my original 1954 GE refrigerator still running after 69 years. It’s in the garage as a water fridge. I’m amazed how things used to last compared to today’s products designed to die within a few years.Also the saying "they don't make things like they used to" is based on fact.
I should be clear, I’m by no means against being off grid at all. Hell, I envy the idea of land in the forest and being fully self reliant etc.
But, you must not have met my wife. She has no idea whether an LED light bulb or a hair dryer use more power.
Grid connectivity is a must. It’ll save marriages.
Owned an IT company for 40 years this year (semi-retired now) and I agree, except for me it seems like it was about 5% of the people cause 95% of the problems. My solution was to build in what I call the bullshit fee. Figure out what I'm going to charge on a contract then add at least 10% for bullshit. Rate variable depending on the client.One of my companies is an IT company and we have a 80/20 rule where 20% of people cause 80% of the problems. Some people are just cursed and no matter what we do we just know they'll continue to have issues.
Also to the same point just because something's top tier doesn't mean it'll last longer. Some things have better components and some things have more components. You can have the best build quality and best QC and shit happens, things fail. Also the saying "they don't make things like they used to" is based on fact.
Sorry but I disagree. I am 100% off grid and would never get back onto the grid. I like having the cash in my hand rather than some fat bloke in an office a thousand miles away. I lack absolutely nothing and am comfortable 12 months a year, living in a region that goes from -22F in Winter to 100F in summer.Off grid sounds nice till you’re actually off grid lol.
I must say, I greatly appreciate my ability to throw a transfer switch and be “like everyone else”
Geez, have you ever put that fridge on a Kill-A-Watt meter ?Every appliance we have is energy efficient as we could find. But to your statement, there’s nothing like my original 1954 GE refrigerator still running after 69 years. It’s in the garage as a water fridge. I’m amazed how things used to last compared to today’s products designed to die within a few years.
No I have not. I’ll check into that and see. I do know it’s not terrible but don’t have numbers.Geez, have you ever put that fridge on a Kill-A-Watt meter ?
I'm curious at how much energy it uses. I think some folks may be surprised actually.
I suppose I’m confused about the “cash in hand rather than some fat bloke in an office a thousand miles away” part?Sorry but I disagree. I am 100% off grid and would never get back onto the grid. I like having the cash in my hand rather than some fat bloke in an office a thousand miles away. I lack absolutely nothing and am comfortable 12 months a year, living in a region that goes from -22F in Winter to 100F in summer.
Same here!Off grid sounds nice till you’re actually off grid lol.
I must say, I greatly appreciate my ability to throw a transfer switch and be “like everyone else”
I’ll have to check our baseline cost, but being in a city I don’t believe we have any realistic way to go completely off grid, and truth be told I don’t currently want to.Same here!
But our utility has doubled their baseline "availability fee" in just 2 years. At the same time, they dropped rates on the actual power. It sure looks as if they're punishing solar users, and getting off-grid completely might be the only way to avoid constant hikes on the baseline rate. Before canceling service, I'll have to revisit this post and make sure all my ducks are in a row!
I disagree. Having spairs/backups is the biggest thing.I think you covered it very well.
Using tier 1 equipment is the biggest thing by a wide margin.