I've gone solar.

Tomorrow the city inspector comes to survey the improvements. If he gives the go then the gas and electric company comes. If they also approve I turn on the power and start generating.

They had to run it through my current circuit breaker box because to tap into my existing line outside would have required me to upgrade my entire system to current code. I'm grandfathered in.

I also had a plumber come out and give me an estimate on a tankless water heater. He's going to have to run a new stainless steel flue up through the attic and the roof. It looks like the total might be around $3,000 for parts and labor. I'm hoping he might fix the gas line for my furnace for free.

If I can get all of this done plus install my closet organizing system before school starts in 17 days I'll be one happy camper. And despite the fact I didn't go on "vacation" I think I've spent my vacation time very well this summer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 9 2007, 10:01 PM) [snapback]493354[/snapback]</div>

I've already got a natural gas water heater. My breaker panel is maxed out with the PV. For an electric tankless I would have to replace or upgrade my current breaker box. So instead of spending money for venting, I'd be paying an electrician to upgrade my electrical system.

"Electric tankless water heaters are very high power appliances. Because they heat water entirely on demand, their peak electricity needs are substantial even though their total energy consumption is much lower than traditional tank-type water heaters. Consequently, it is often required that a home have a 200 AMP, 208 to 240 volt electrical service to run an electric tankless water heater (smaller whole-house models suitable for warmer climate areas can often be installed on 100, 125, or 150 AMP electrical services). Some homes or businesses do not have such electrical power available and upgrades can sometimes be expensive. "

Solar would have to go on the bedroom roof. It only gets sun from Noon until sunset. I'm a little concerned about weight also. Plus...I want to eliminate my water heater. Even if I had a solar system I'd still need the water heater. This one is 13 years old and on borrowed time. I had it put in on '94 and now I have to replace it again. It may be cheaper to replace every 10-15 years, but it also has a constantly burning NG pilot light. I also think keeping the water hot all of the time is stupid. Yes, a solar water heater would at least pre-heat the water most of the time, but not all of the time. The tankless is also a lot smaller than my current water heater and I could certainly use the space in my kitchen closet.

Maybe at some point down the line I'll add a solar system to boost the tankless. But right now I have to choose between one or the other. If I do the solar, I'll still be replacing my water heater every decade and still have the pilot keeping water hot all of the time. It won't to work so hard to heat it, but it's still a waste to keep in hot all of the time.

In 20 years when this tankless needs replacing, it will probably be cost effective to upgrade the electrical, add some panels and put in an electrick tankless as the price of natural gas will probably make it much more cost effective.

Tankless water heaters

I did get a larger inverter than I needed, a Sunnyboy 4000. The installer said I could add another 6-7 panels. If SDG&E decides to start paying me for any extra power I generate, I'll consider adding to the system. I've got room on the roof.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Aug 9 2007, 11:20 PM) [snapback]493386[/snapback]</div>

I have a really, really tall house. I have a before picture provided by Borrego Solar. I was promised an after picture. Sorry, but I'm not climbing on my roof to take a picture.

Would you like me to take a picture of the circuit breaker box and the inverter? I'll throw in a picture of my meter for free.

You are not chopped liver. Paté, maybe.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 10 2007, 07:48 AM) [snapback]493476[/snapback]</div>

The house is 1277 square feet. I have no bathroom closet. Relocating it much farther away than where it is will entail reconfiguring my fairly new (7 years old) copper pipes. Hot water goes west to the garage and washer, south to the sink and north to the bathroom. All from that location. Where the tank now is is the hub of the hot water supply.

There really isn't any other place to put it than where the current tank is now. It cannot vent out the side because a door is too close. I suppose once it gets into the attic it can do a 90 degree out the side instead of straight up, but I don't see that saving me a lot of money. So it will have to go up through the roof like the old one did. Unless the plumber can come up with another suggestion. I can't put it in the crawl space underneath because there are concrete stairs just outside that door so still, no place to vent. Adding an electric fan means needing more electricity. I'm hesitant to add more to my electric needs because of my circuit breaker panel.

It really would be nice to have the space in that closet. I have no place to store a mop and bucket, so I keep them in the bathroom. Very attractive for guests. And the dog food bin sits in the kitchen right beside that door and closet because I have no place to put it either.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Aug 10 2007, 09:04 AM) [snapback]493500[/snapback]</div>

I do laundry and dishes at the same time. Or I'd like to. I can't right now. I can't take a bath or shower while I do laundry either. And I do most at night. If my system is too small (just for me) than any future owner or if my family situation expands...that means redoing everything because it's inadequate. I consider that penny wise and pound foolish. I can only accommodate the smallest size of water heater they currently make, I think it's 20 gallons or less, because of the size of the closet in the kitchen. Another attraction for the tankless is that I can do one load of laundry after another plus do the dishes and not run out of hot water. If I'm doing several loads of sheets, towels, whites, then I have to wait to do the next load of hot. I do save the last hot washer water to reuse for the warm load. And I do save the cold if I'm doing two consecutive loads. I have a recycling washer so that saves me a little on the water bill, but not the gas and electric bill.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tleonhar @ Aug 10 2007, 10:46 AM) [snapback]493540[/snapback]</div>

I'll ask the plumber how much it would save to take a 90 in the attic and vent to the side. We'll look at the breaker panel and see if it can accommodate the extra power an electric fan would entail. But I'm not holding my breath.

My friend has a Takagi and likes it but the plumber said he can't find them locally. He doesn't like Bosch. Right now I'm looking at a Nortiz. I'm looking at the Nortiz 751. Or the Noritz 631. The 751 is only $250 more and only 3 inches deeper so either would fit where my current tank is very easily.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Aug 10 2007, 11:43 AM) [snapback]493590[/snapback]</div>

Ladder? You're crazy. I don't go on the roof. It's over 20 feet up there. You're going to have to be content with a shot from across the street.



The webpage is now up.

Are you happy now?