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08-02-13, 01:56 PM | #1 |
Lurking Renovator
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free power at nite, solar by day
We enrolled with EP(provider) for free electricity from 10pm to 6am starting Aug 21.
I have 6kw solar. I have my hot water heater lower element on a timer for sun up power only, the upper element is at a lowered setpoint (110 ). We used kitchen and laundry primarily during sunup times too. We are in Tx, and have an air to air heatpump. Solar excess is bought by EP and we have been quite happy with the wallet effects. We are in the hottest part of year Aug will probably be our highest summer bill. We are all electric. we plan to change hot water heater to night time topping off. we also will use laundry and dishwasher at night. We are considering heat storage this coming winter. How? don't know yet. We have ideas, would like to get more ideas and schemes from the thinking folks on this site, comments on what we are doing as well as what we can do would be welcome |
09-09-13, 01:26 PM | #2 |
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why are they offering free?
any links to this program? |
04-05-15, 03:40 PM | #3 |
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I think it's related to negative pricing for wind power in TX.
It's better for a wind farm to drum up night time demand via a "free" program from the utility than have to pay someone to take their excess energy. It helps make current production more profitable and if it's successful, would allow greater expansion of wind. Having said that, I wouldn't bank on the program being available for long if Tres Amigas pans out. Once generators can sell to other regions, there's no incentive to give locals free power. Tres Amigas SuperStation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
09-09-13, 05:53 PM | #4 |
Lurking Renovator
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My ep is TXU (txu.com), we are able to choose our providers. My guess is Free weekends and Free nights are an incentive to get customers from other providers. Some providers offer green generated power (a high rate) for some it has a feel good effect.
MY wife has sleep problems and does the laundry very early in the morning now and our hot water heater is on a timer for night time use now. you have any ideas to exploit this scheme? Thanks |
09-09-13, 09:19 PM | #5 |
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Build a solar hot water system. They are easy to make and well worth it.
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09-20-13, 12:02 PM | #6 |
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I don't know if you've seen it, but we have a great link with many simple things you can do to reduce your energy usage:
60+ Home Energy Saving Tips You can do Right Now - EcoRenovator
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12-20-14, 04:18 PM | #7 |
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TXU Free nights 30
I am going solar in jan 2015 and I am on the txu free nights plan would like to know how it works as far as you solar credits go I am installing a 10 kw setup but would like to still use my free night time hours.
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12-20-14, 05:14 PM | #8 |
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Set the water heater to 140F and then set the timer to only turn on at night. Then use a recirculating pump and fan coil to extract the heat during the day.
For storing cold, find a used A/C condensing unit, some copper tubing, and an expansion valve. Coil the tubing in a garbage can filled with water and use the A/C to freeze the water during the night. Use another copper coil and an antifreeze solution (pumped through a surplus car radiator or similar) to extract the cold for use during the day.
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To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her... |
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12-23-14, 04:54 PM | #9 |
Lurking Renovator
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karl0525, I believe there would be no effect on solar credits, I remember no paper work when I got free nights, I had solar first.
NiHaoMike, thanks for for your idea it makes sense. I'll look around for parts, I do have at least one good radiator on hand. I'll post again if I get this off and rolling, |
The Following User Says Thank You to ferg75407 For This Useful Post: | karl0525 (12-23-14) |
12-23-14, 05:07 PM | #10 | |
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Tags |
free energy, storing cool, storing heat |
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