tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post3959052351695741473..comments2024-03-18T17:46:29.521-07:00Comments on Desert Home: Adventures With My Freezer (the one in the house)davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11608589214882334649noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-36502579365562647872017-01-09T05:12:42.375-07:002017-01-09T05:12:42.375-07:00Good adventure! you have try one more trick to mak...Good adventure! you have try one more trick to make your freeze as <a href="http://newmeditech.com/featured/solar-freezer/" rel="nofollow">solar freezer</a> and save electricity.Arpitkakkarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03776198147734961207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-67356028545514592932017-01-03T09:48:52.629-07:002017-01-03T09:48:52.629-07:00Yes, I do need a larger accumulator tank, but the ...Yes, I do need a larger accumulator tank, but the expense of a bigger tank with all the insulation and other associated costs (like where to put and plumb the thing) keep it out of my price range.davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608589214882334649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-77228422960843807382017-01-03T05:50:02.141-07:002017-01-03T05:50:02.141-07:00These are quite popular here, nibe.eu and ctc-heat...These are quite popular here, nibe.eu and ctc-heating.com. But there seems to be a real jungle with lots of stuff that's either crap or just not made for our climate.<br /><br />My father have the Nibe F750 with a SAM40 to reduce the otherwise all electric heating's impact on the power bill. Unfortunately the company that installed it miscalculated and it will need an additional accumulator tank to function more efficient.<br /><br />The ground source heat pumps are probably most common, either like your neighbour had done (despite tough soil conditions) or by drilling an energy well.<br /><br />Sounds like you just need a larger accumulator tank with a arduino controlled pump regulator though :)Andreasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-90303217952944133162016-12-30T09:01:31.558-07:002016-12-30T09:01:31.558-07:00Can you give me a pointer to the kind of heat pump...Can you give me a pointer to the kind of heat pump you use. Heat pumps for heating water are really nice, but it can't beat using the Arizona sun. My problem has always been that I take my long leisurely bath in the evening...<br /><br />If I didn't have demand billing, I'd change my approach entirely.davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608589214882334649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-34205728379336833132016-12-30T06:35:26.338-07:002016-12-30T06:35:26.338-07:00To reduce the bill by 2/5 by adjusting when things...To reduce the bill by 2/5 by adjusting when things run is really impressive. It's a substantial annual saving.<br /><br />Here in Sweden households don't have demand billing so instead we just have to find ways to reduce power usage. An increasing number of households use different kind of heat pumps for heating and warm water. They have quite good COP now but the initial cost is substantial if you don't go for the air versions. But those should work quite well where you live I guess.<br /><br />Always fun to read about your projectsAndreasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-26787206790628500112016-12-26T17:58:25.601-07:002016-12-26T17:58:25.601-07:00My total energy usage is about the same over the y...My total energy usage is about the same over the years, except for the huge amount I cut with the variable speed pool motor. That cut about 15% right off the top. The other stuff is not cutting my power, it's moving the usage period to a cheaper time.<br /><br />No, I'm not being a good green citizen, I'm just trying to keep my money in my pocket.<br /><br />I also save another hunk with the solar water heater. In my area, the AC units, pool and water heater are the big consumers of power, so I guess I have made a pretty good hit.<br /><br />But, in direct answer to the real question, how much am I saving: My last bill was $124, and my neighbor up the hill who also has a pool, paid $325. In the summer my bill is almost always one third of his. <br /><br />Of course, there have been the occasions where I mess up, or something breaks and I get a bill closer to normal. I see about one of those a year or so.<br /><br />I actually compared my house to one of the neighbors that has a leased solar system and my bill was a couple of dollars less than his combined lease payment and residual power bill. I laughed a bunch at that.<br /><br />I'd still like to have solar power though, just can't cost justify it.davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608589214882334649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922503085503427986.post-51566045145573038942016-12-26T10:22:57.073-07:002016-12-26T10:22:57.073-07:00Cool that you made your freezer "smart"....Cool that you made your freezer "smart".<br /><br />Out of curiosity, how much have you cut your bills (percent wise) since starting the projects? Have you even reduced the total energy consumption (since you for instance cool your house when the ac heat sink works in cooler conditions)?Andreasnoreply@blogger.com