09-18-2006, 04:09 AM
Glen, one of the big things is the initial high cost of the installation of Photovoltaic array. Here solar does compare out favorably if you have a property that does not have a power pole nearby...or a very long run to put in power to the homestead. These are things to figure when looking at properties here. Hubby & I have been able to keep our electric rates at near pauper levels for here, both now in our little ohana as we remodel the main house, and when we were renting a house in HPP.
We have never gone above $70/ month, but we super energy conservatives. All computers (have 4) are on LCD monitors, we have inkjet (with soy ink)for most of our printing, and a laser printer that is used very seldomly. We have one LCD TV which is not on much (to much other stuff to do..). All lights are flourescent, no dishwasher, big Trio refrig. (I look like it, but Jim is the one how eats alot) blender (smoothies & chopping up our compost) convection oven/micro, elec range top (not used alot) 2 ceiling fans, a flash elec water heater here, normal 40gal elec heater at the rental, but we did turn off its breaker most of the time. In this house everything is EnergyStar, but the rental, not. We almost doubled our normal months bill from Chicago of $45 (2100 sq ft house, used more lights most of the year - man it is nice having 12 hours sunlight daily + alot more fan use), but have also reduced our KW/day use.
Aloha, Carey
We have never gone above $70/ month, but we super energy conservatives. All computers (have 4) are on LCD monitors, we have inkjet (with soy ink)for most of our printing, and a laser printer that is used very seldomly. We have one LCD TV which is not on much (to much other stuff to do..). All lights are flourescent, no dishwasher, big Trio refrig. (I look like it, but Jim is the one how eats alot) blender (smoothies & chopping up our compost) convection oven/micro, elec range top (not used alot) 2 ceiling fans, a flash elec water heater here, normal 40gal elec heater at the rental, but we did turn off its breaker most of the time. In this house everything is EnergyStar, but the rental, not. We almost doubled our normal months bill from Chicago of $45 (2100 sq ft house, used more lights most of the year - man it is nice having 12 hours sunlight daily + alot more fan use), but have also reduced our KW/day use.
Aloha, Carey