Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by 2020BRZtS

That's interesting. A couple years ago we needed to replace an 80-gallon electric water heater on the east coast and had to buy a commercial one with a 2-year warranty because they want us to switch to propane or natural gas.

You are not in California. Propane or natural gas are way more efficient and better for the environment.

Some places facts are less important than political agendas.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

You are not in California. Propane or natural gas are way more efficient and better for the environment.

Some places facts are less important than political agendas.

More efficient for sure. Better for the environment is complicated. The gas appliances I have (all of them right now) are the only fossil fuels I've burned to power my home: the rest here is wind, solar, or nuclear.
At this stage the other complicating factor is where costs will go. Gas doubled over the last year...
The improvement in air quality when California started getting tough on emissions is no joke.
Sure, it can be political, but there's plenty to go around which isn't.

[soundman98]

but cali's climate is specific to the way the wind currents roll back off the mountain range.

they're literally stuck in a swirl of their own repeated filth.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Recently at work, I don't have any will to do some of the work. It's not like I don't wanna do it... just my mind cannot focus. Yes, I still finish all the daily stuff, but that's pretty much it. Prob needing some vacation...

[x808drifter]

Originally Posted by cjd

More efficient for sure. Better for the environment is complicated. The gas appliances I have (all of them right now) are the only fossil fuels I've burned to power my home: the rest here is wind, solar, or nuclear.
At this stage the other complicating factor is where costs will go. Gas doubled over the last year...
The improvement in air quality when California started getting tough on emissions is no joke.
Sure, it can be political, but there's plenty to go around which isn't.

How much was your gas bill per month on average?
Summer to stay fair.

[86-75309]

Originally Posted by x808drifter

How much was your gas bill per month on average?
Summer to stay fair.

I live in the same part of the country, but with a different gas utility. Over the last 3 months I've averaged 6.3 therms (whatever unit of measure that is) at a cost of $17.14.

My house is a typical 7-year-old suburban 3 bed, 2 bath ranch with gas fired furnace, water heater, stove and clothes dryer. I'm sure that number would increase with additional occupants in the house due to more cooking, laundry and showering.

In the winter my usage peaks at about 120 therms per month.

[soundman98]

my bill just constantly reminds me i'm not the most efficient neighbor in my area. i think the most efficient neighbor is an abandoned house with a single light bulb left on.

[2020BRZtS]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

You are not in California. Propane or natural gas are way more efficient and better for the environment.

Some places facts are less important than political agendas.

I have heard they are more efficient and in some ways I wish I read more when when we built the house. We have propane for heat and use about 18 gallons a season because we changed over to a heat pump. It's so low our provider thinks we switched to another company. The heat pump flips to propane when the temperature difference between outside and inside is more than 45 degrees. It rarely gets to single digits here so it's almost always the heat pump.

We had a new roof put on a few years ago and had insulation blown into the attic. I highly recommend this. Our electric bill immediately dropped 35%. Overall our electric bill has dropped over 60% annually since we moved in 20 years ago. With rising costs of everything this says a lot.

If I could convince my wife to switch over to instant hot for heating water we could save even more.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by x808drifter

How much was your gas bill per month on average?
Summer to stay fair.

Lowest gas bill this summer was $75 - highest over the winter was $350.
Lowest electric bill I saw all year was $120; highest was $140, and that was the $350 gas bill month.

[86-75309]

Originally Posted by cjd

Lowest gas bill this summer was $75 - highest over the winter was $350.
Lowest electric bill I saw all year was $120; highest was $140, and that was the $350 gas bill month.

I'm beginning to think the money I spent for upgraded windows and insulation when I had my house built was money well spent. This past week we've had below normal temperatures, including frost a couple of mornings. I haven't had to turn the heat on yet- it stays between 67F and 72F as long as I keep the blinds open on all of the south facing windows during the day to get some solar heat gain.

[2020BRZtS]

Can someone explain this ebay auction? Is this a solicitation to contact them outside ebay and inquire about parts?

Toyota celica st205 gt4 jdm 1995 on eBay

[cjd]

Originally Posted by 86-75309

I'm beginning to think the money I spent for upgraded windows and insulation when I had my house built was money well spent. This past week we've had below normal temperatures, including frost a couple of mornings. I haven't had to turn the heat on yet- it stays between 67F and 72F as long as I keep the blinds open on all of the south facing windows during the day to get some solar heat gain.

We had a very temperate summer, but have already had the heat on this fall. Typical Chicago city home with the back yard facing south and the long sides of the house in shade all day - 5' to one neighbor, 6' to the other. Windows need some attention for sure. Gotta roll with what's available though. I do work the blinds to make the best use of the sun in colder months (and keep it out in the summer) - that can create as much as a 10 degree (F) difference between the N and S ends though, even with the blower on to move air around.

This house is a good deal larger than our last, and our utility bills didn't change much here at all... so this place isn't bad. But...
I'd love to build a place, but that dream seems unlikely at this point.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by 2020BRZtS

Can someone explain this ebay auction? Is this a solicitation to contact them outside ebay and inquire about parts?

Toyota celica st205 gt4 jdm 1995 on eBay

description says the auction is for the wheel nut only.

but being that he's breaking it for parts, it means to contact him for anything else one might need.

i do that all the time with junkyards on ebay. "hey, i see you have a 14 brz side mirror for sale, do you also have ____ from the same car?"

[soundman98]

i turned my heat on the other day to make sure it works. then set it to 50.

hasn't turned on otherwise. staying nice and cool in the house!