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Old 11-20-10, 09:16 AM   #21
Xringer
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Default Update winter 2010

Just a quick update on Sanyo power use.

We have changed our over-night set-back temperature from 66 to 68 (19 to 20 C).
So, we are using a bit more power. With low heat gain from solar,
we seem to average about 10.5 kWh on days with an average in the low 30s.
Whereas the number was closer to 10 kWh back in 2009.

I think that's about a 5% increase in cost, which will go up at colder outdoor temps.

However,

My local mean temps aren't too cold..

---- Jan-Feb-Mar-Apr-May-Jun-Jul-Aug-Sep-Oct-Nov-Dec
Mean 25° 27° 36° 46° 56° 65° 71° 68° 61° 51° 41° 28°

Looking at a 6 month heating season, the average of the mean temps is, 34.66 degrees..
Which means on partly cloudy days, I will be using, (on-average) 10 to 11 kWh. ($2.20)
Or $66 a month. Which would be between 1/4 and 1/3 the cost of heating oil.
(And that doesn't include the cost of power to run the oil burner and circulating pump).

A note to new readers.
We are a retired couple and spend much of our time at home.
Otherwise, our heating cost would be somewhat lower.

Cheers,
Rich

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Old 11-21-10, 09:29 AM   #22
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Default A point of interest (to me anyways)

I'm getting two new 200w PV panels this week. These were a bargain that I could not pass up.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-....html#post9399
That got me thinking (again) about doing a legal Grid Tie Inverter connection.
All I would need is a couple of Enphase GTIs, Roof mount hardware etc. and a little paper work.?.

Reason:
I'm starting to think that my Sanyo uses around 440w on average, during the heating and cooling seasons.
(0.44 kWh per hour x 24 = 10.56 kWh per day).

So, those two panels could actually pay for much of our heat/AC during the prime daylight hours.
On cloudy days and at night, we would have to pay..
Unless, we were banking kWh during sunny days when the Sanyo was off..

My point is, the Sanyo uses so little power, even a small GTI array can be very helpful.
If you live in an area where they charge more than 20 cents US per kWh,
it's an idea you might want to research..

Cheers,
Rich
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Old 11-22-10, 07:10 AM   #23
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Do you get paid if you overproduce electricity?
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Old 11-22-10, 08:51 AM   #24
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Default

If I had a "legal Grid Tie Inverter connection", with a special 'net-metering' meter installed,
I would get Paid for energy pumped out to the grid.

Most likely, I would electronically run-the-meter-backwards, and later that night, run my tab back up..

With a 400w array, it's unlikely any actual cash will ever change hands..

A small PV GTI system would probably take decades to hit break-even.
But, if you could install a 400-500w system (for around $1,000?) ,
the cost of running a mini-split (adding to your power bill) could be reduced to near zero.
With a legally installed system, you also get some tax breaks etc.

Buying the PV system for your mini-split, is kinda like paying for the power in advance.
(As in buy it now, while it's cheap).?.

The nice part of this scheme, comes if rates go up drastically.
Your energy cost for AC & heat will see less impact.
Whereas the part of the bill caused by watching a plasma TV would go up!

I know that compartmentalization of appliances seems odd,
and kW hours are KW hours, no matter what device is burning them..


But, many times during the year, you make a choice when setting your AC or heat.
So, if it's a nice sunny day, 'free' power can be a factor in making your choice.
You might just think.. Hey! look how sunny it is today! I'm setting this thing down to 71.6! (22C)
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Old 01-04-11, 10:19 AM   #25
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Default

It's 10AM and it's been a pretty cool day.
Current: High: Low: Average:
29.3 °F ---29.3 °F---19.1 °F---21.9 °F

In 10 hours, the Sanyo has already used 8kWh! (Since midnight).
That's the same thing as 800w continuously. That's almost $1.70

Anyways, that seems a little high. I don't know why.
I have a few theories.

1.
Removing the carpet in the main living areas and walking on hardwood
floors over an unheated (52F) basement is costing us.
We are now heating the basement with the Sanyo.. (Just slightly).
I checked the interior walls in the basement and they are about 52F (5 feet up the walls).
But, the overhead subflooring planks are 58 to 59F.
I think most of that ceiling warming is coming from upstairs. Mr. Sanyo!


2.
Using the heat sensor in the wall-mounted unit isn't as effective
as using the remote control's heat sensor.
(when the remote is located at the core of the house).

When using the air-handler's sensor, set for 21(69.8F) , I've noticed the hall tends to hold at 22(71.6)..
So, the Sanyo is trying to hold the core at a higher temp, (24-7) and wasting some watts.


3.
Ah Ha! The power usage numbers from last year were lower than they
should have been! The new calibration is showing more accurate usage!
I'm getting so absent minded!!


The extra power usage is likely due to a combination of all of the above..
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Old 01-05-11, 09:15 AM   #26
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My 3rd post.
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Old 01-05-11, 09:15 AM   #27
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My 4th post.
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Old 01-05-11, 09:19 AM   #28
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My 5th post.

Now I can now post a link in my next replie.

Whew, I'm worn out...

>
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Old 01-05-11, 09:28 AM   #29
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Xringer

I noticed on the first page of this thread that you said your house faces South with a yard that appears (to me) to have no trees.

You have the perfect candidate for this inexpensive solar assist heating project.

Low Profile Solar Hot Air Project 1

Instead of heating the floor above the basement with your Sanyo, you could be heating the floor from below (radiant heating)
for free...

Also, I would install some floor registers to let heat rise more quickly.


>
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Old 01-05-11, 11:06 AM   #30
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redneck,

I really like the air-heating solar panels.

Well thought out, good documentation. Great work!

-AC_Hacker

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