MyDD :: I know this isn't political but

I know this isn't political but

by 12 dogs and a blog, Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 04:55:37 PM EST

Hey. This isn't a serious political journal about the election but it is a serious question. It's about energy constumption. I would like to try and go green with regards to electricity.

To say that this process is intimidating would be an understatement. I know what I want it to do but I am so much at a loss.

So what am I looking for?

Well first I'd like set up a small version for a dog kennel. If I can do that I figure I can work up to using solar in my living space. The kennel will be a small, 8x16, wooden shed. I know that the first thing is to insulate well to keep down cool/heat loss. I would love to have the electricity to run a small window mounted heat pump, lights, tiny college fridge, and luxury a water heater. I can use a passive solar water heater (hot water to wash hands and care for dogs). But the rest of the requirements like light and the heat pump? I could use. This would give me space to keep my pups in the extreme heat and cold. This winter we tried everything but with no real final solution. I'm on a limited budget and have to justify expenditures.

I have a general idea of how this works but no confidence.

Maybe there are other folks here that my be interested. Oh I also am looking for solar power to run a small submersible pump.

Thank you. If this is a problem? I'm sorry and will delete. I'm interested on what the national agenda will be in terms of personal energy consumption. Thought I'd learn along with everyone else.

If there's a problem with posting this let me know. Or better yet do you use solar power? How do you do it?

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/8/24/15357/0362

Poll

Votes: 4
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: energy consumption solar power (all tags)

Permalink :: 27 Comments :: Post a Comment

No answers but this is certainly political (2.00 / 2)

I can't help you with your question but energy consumption and going green are certainly appropriate topics here. For me, they are huge issues which never get enough play.

McCain = bad Obama = good

by CAchemist on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 04:58:18 PM EST

Re: No answers but this is certainly political (none / 0)

Thanks. I've been happily reading ReaperBots bicycle diaries and learning alot. Practical, not lip service, ideas on alternative transportation. Need one for solar too.

I know. I always hear go green with solar but when you actually try to put it into practice? Intimidating. And if I go ask the "landlord". He comes with a calculator and fingers to squeeeeze every last cent. When it comes to "squeeeezing the pennies". Ack He needs visuals, working visuals.

If I can do this on the very small scale for my pups, it will translate up to a bigger saving. I'll have something to show how it works. I already known how to solar heat water. Discovered it last summer when cleaning the dog dishes and pool. (Not what you think. It's one of those old kiddie pools. 13 years old) But the garden hose heats up and the water was warm. Initial cost. Water hose. Now just the water. In a house, I'll need a bigger water heating system. Tricky. The point of use water heaters have advantages but disadvantage too.

Water heater and cooling is two of our biggest energy expenses. I have his attention. Now need a PRACTICAL solution.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:33:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No answers but this is certainly political (none / 0)

An easier version of solar shower:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Prod uct___80882?CS_003=2477120&CS_010=80 882

A black receptacle works better than your hose.

BTW, camping supply places are very good for electricity free gadgets.

The same with the roof of the dog kennel: black/heat absorptive in winter, white/reflective in summer, if you can manage it. The pups will be happier both times of year.

Barn fans to help cool the house in summer (provided wind averages 5mph or higher at your place) These are cheap and work well; used in barns for years.
http://www.airvent.com/homeowner/product s/staticVents-windTurb.shtml

If you want a little power to run it, this might work:

http://www.airvent.com/homeowner/product s/powerVents-solarRoof.shtml

Mostly, I prefer wind to solar applications.

You can get a small wind vane a lot cheaper than most of the solar stuff. And the wind blows more where we live than the sun shines. Of course, if you're in the sunny part of the world, you might see this differently.

Here's a nice little one that my neighbors who have an island house use. It's $899 at West Marine and you probably can get it cheaper somewhere else :

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto res/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/2872 3?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=28723

With compact fluorescents, you can light your house. You should rig a battery storage with it (3 car batteries).

"There are two kinds of statistics: the kind you look up and the kind you make up" --Rex Stout

by LIsoundview on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 08:30:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No answers but this is certainly political (none / 0)

storms coming but I wanted to thank you for the information. Come back on Tuesday.

have fussy weather approaching. shutting down

Thank BB weather permiting.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 09:07:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks. It is political :) (none / 0)

Thank you.

The more I think on it the more it is political.

Storm approaches. Have to shut down back if weather permits tonight or Tuesday evening.

Looking forward to visit. 12 dogs.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 09:10:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know this isn't political but (2.00 / 1)

someone is reading Ed Begley Jr's diary and posting it here or something?

by zerosumgame on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:04:07 PM EST

Re: I know this isn't political but (none / 0)

You know if Ed BegleyJr showed up about now I'd hug his neck and take him to dinner. I think he puts his money where his mouth is on the issues of energy alternatives. So I'd love it.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:35:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know this isn't political but (none / 0)

are you sure you would not call him a lair and claim everything he wrote was a lie? after all that does seem to be your nomal M.O., to ASSume and then insult based on your ignorant ASSumptions after all.

by trytobereal on Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 01:54:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know this isn't political but (none / 0)

LOL Trytobereal.

Do you use solar power? Wind power?

Look I'm trying to get off the grid so that I can move out to a place of my own and be able to afford it. And yeppers the dogs too.

If you have suggestions on things that work that would be great.

Otherwise you're kind of wasting your time trying to pick a fight with a person you don't know.

Folks on this diary get along. They contribute. They disagree. If they have a difference like you seem to have they give examples. To effect real change not act like a petulant child.

Hope you have a good day.

Please come back anytime but only if you're going to be part of the discussion. Thanks.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:40:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know this isn't political but (none / 0)

Sorry no one responding. Based on the discourse of late, you would have much more sucess if you slandered Obama or Hillary before getting to the real part of your diary. Substantive diaries have been pretty much ignored lately.

McCain = bad Obama = good

by CAchemist on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:44:08 PM EST

Re: I know this isn't political but (none / 0)

Hugs for the compliment. Maybe someone else is right this minute writing about energy alternatives here on myDD and I just don't know where they are. If this helps? Good.

Thing is I can't afford a Prius, we already drive energy saving cars. Never owned an SUV. Lived during the Carter Admin.

I know this is a political blog but this is also an issue that's near and dear to the progressives. Certainly would be near and dear on my pocket book to reduce my electric bill. :D

This is hopefully one of the planks in the Dem GE platform. Practical energy.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:41:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Slow down and save up (none / 0)

build up some savings, so that you can afford the next generation -- prius isn't really worth it, but slowing down to 55mph on the highway, and cacheing some of your vacation funds to pay for something better in the near future... well worth it.

btw, I finally responded to your last diary (vacation myself).

yo mir kennen

by RisingTide on Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 03:06:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

LOL! I'm a little confused! (none / 0)

Or may you are?

"I would love to have the electricity to run a small window mounted heat pump, lights, tiny college fridge, and luxury a water heater."

Where does it say in "the book about going green" that having: a window-mounted heat pump, a refrigerator, and a luxury water heater for your pet(s} is something every environmentally conscious consumer should consider?

by bobswern on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:51:18 PM EST

Re: LOL! I'm a little confused! (none / 0)

LOL it's a long story. Does sound a bit the pampered pooch. There is a method to my madness. If I can get these things to run here then it's just a hop skip and a jump to living quarters. I won't be able to otherwise. And yes where we live it gets to be crazy hot. We don't consider cooling especially a luxury. Not even for our pets. It has been a hazzard. Especially in the last couple of years.

Have spent summer driving un airconditioned truck drinking water to keep cool in 100 degree heat. Last summer I spent my heat of the day afternoons doing what I could to keep our dogs from getting heat stroke.

But hugs for doing your best to keep me honest.

I appreciate this.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:14:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: LOL! I'm a little confused! (none / 0)

Point is that the timy set up is a house if you think about it. Cooling/heating, hot water, lights, refrigeration. Same ideas and theories.

And not as expensive as trying to out fit a whole house.

Plus it is another opotunity to study "cumulative effect" of energy saving. All the small savings that add up when compared to cost.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:05:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: LOL! I'm a little confused! (none / 0)

"...opotunity..." should read "...oportunity..."

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:17:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Saw kind post for Ragecage and daughter (none / 0)

Come back and visit anytime. Might look decadent but I'm not. Again that was a kind post. Take care

shutting down due to comming fussy weather.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 09:05:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Good news! (none / 0)

Innovation fuels solar power drive:

In the latest discovery, an MIT team yesterday announced it had developed a new way to concentrate solar beams, potentially reducing the cost of solar panels.

But such advances, still far from becoming commercial products, are only a small part of the forces finally making solar look feasible. Unlike in the early 1980s, when cheap energy prices helped derail Jimmy Carter's ambitions for solar power, today's technology is getting close to being cost-competitive with other forms of energy

Say what you will about high oil prices, but they're finally providing us with the push we need to really invest in solar research. Today, anything but perfunctory solar paneling is far too expensive for the average family, and modern consumer designs barely crack 10% efficiency. We can do better, but we really need to push our leaders to invest in research!

by semiquaver on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:59:57 PM EST

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

Thanks your getting to my underlying point. I want to be off the grid and green. But putting it into practice is very expensive and the technology is overwhelming. And heck yeah if EdBegley is out there reading this Please I'm alll ears and ready to learn.

It would be nice when national is developing their energy platform if it was to the practical applications.

I hear that Japan is way ahead in solar power and so is Germany.

There is a method to my silliness.

I should be able to do this in the very small scale so that it is practical and understandable and affordable.

That it's still not isn't helping.

And this is important too.

Maybe if there were a push to use solar on government propery. Hmmmmmmmm?

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:20:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

The 2010 Prius is rumored to have solar panels which will power the air conditioning -- a good first step, and since lots of local govt's already mandate hybrids, I can see them switching to semi-solar.

Here's one of the cheapest vendors according to this comparison page.

Ignoring the water heater, as electric models use way too much energy for solar to be an option (better to use a thermal collector to heat the water directly), you might be able to scrape by with the 220w model for $900. But of course 220w is the peak output; it's much lower when the sun isn't directly overhead. For this reason, and because the fridge doesn't run constantly, and assuming you want the system to work at night, you'll need some kind of battery storage, which will cost many times more and be much harder to install yourself. Do you have any experience with electricity?

by semiquaver on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:34:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

No.

But I've got a neighbor who is an electrician.

Thank you for the link. Anyone that's interested should take a lot. Lots of information. Good info.

If I weren't a chicken I'd look into the hybid system. We are lucky because to retro fit the house wouldn't require tearing up drywall. If they needed to shore up the roof due to the weight of the water and equipment that's easy because of access to the area in question is roughed out. I think it's good news that we have a south facing area with full sun. That's good.

So I saw this system where you have coils and box exposed to the sun the water runs through this and is pre heated before it hits the water heating unit. It gets really hot. I use the idea to wash out the feed bowls in an area with just water hose. First water out was hot just like out of the tap

Pre heated water by the sun. The thermal collector you discribed above.

That's good.

But. It requires puttin holes in roofs and storing water on roof. Which I don't know is rated for the weight. Requiring carpenters. It also means going to "landlord" and telling him such. Will need smelling salts. Putting holes in roof isn't a happy thought for him.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:59:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

"...Thank you for the link. Anyone that's interested should take a lot. Lots of information. Good info...."

"...take a lot." should read "...take a look."

That's a heck of an article. Good reading.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:01:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

What do you use? Are you a professor? Do you use solar? Do you have experience with electrical work?

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:08:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good news! (none / 0)

Sorry if my post was misleading -- I'm quite interested in the technology, but I don't think solar is ready for the average consumer such as myself yet. Plus I rent, and move pretty frequently. So no, I don't have any solar setup.

by semiquaver on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:23:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Didn't consider your post misleading. (none / 0)

Thanks. Diplomatic thing to say. No problems.

I hope that you'll come back.

I have to shut down as weather's bit fussy.

Thank you for the information. I hope that you'll come back. I may be back tonight or Tuesday.

Will give me time to read your article.

Thank you.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 09:02:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A couple issues to consider (none / 0)

You've got the right idea with the insulation, but think about the insolation too. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun stays in the southern half of the sky, especially during winter. So you should build your windows on the south wall of the kennel, which will let in the most sun during the winter, and can be covered up to keep things cooler in the summer. Make sure to use light colors on the outside and preferably a reflective roof to help keep things cool in the summer as well.

Consider collecting rainwater runoff in a small cistern to use for washing water.

Also, if you have the means to do it, consider building it partially underground. Even just a few feet can make a big difference in your cooling costs.

Proud member of the Wikipedia Generation of American politics

by BishopRook on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:49:43 PM EST

Re: A couple issues to consider (none / 0)

Hello Bishop Rook, Thank you very much for the information.

We've got a some weather here. I'm going to start shutting down the computer. Will you come back?

I hope so.

Thank you. :)

Back later tonight or more likely Tuesday.

by 12 dogs and a blog on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 08:59:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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