Free Juice!
06 June 2012
Darren
Unplugging from Big Brother
So a week ago today we made the decision to unplug from the grid and just use our solar power for everything. This includes lights, computers, modems, refrigeration and TV. It has been a adjustment, the two of us have differing views about the electric heater and hot water. Lets just say, the heater and hot water will be disconnected from the dock LATER. We both are coming to grips with living within our means (of regeneration).
The decision to pull the IV out of our arm was made when I was calculating our amp hour input and saw that we were very close to our consumption at the dock. Our power bill here at the dock is $35.00.....OK, I can hear you snickering at me and I know most would kill for a hydro bill like that, but in winter its triple . I just figured if we are close why not use those panels full time rather than just on the hook. We still watch movies at night and have found that batteries are like muscles the more you use them (up to 50% discharge) the happier they are.
If Cindy and I can make one small change that could save us a $1,000.00 per year, in a house that adds up to a lot more money than that.
IF... people bought ONE solar panel, 2-6volt golf cart batteries and a 1500 watt inverter. And unplugged ONE 15amp circuit from their hydro box and just did one circuit at a time every year you saved $1,000.00. in a few years you wouldn’t need to pay hydro any more. By the way, hydro raised our rates 7% and will raise them 7% for the next 3 years. Thats a 21% increase for BIG BROTHER. I could sure use a raise like that!
Smart Meter is a oxymoron....