diy solar

diy solar

Mini Split A/C Power Consumption?

Ozark Tinkering said:
So I made that comment back in March. I ended up installing 2-12k btu MrCool mini splits and have pretty much been through the worst heat wave we've seen around here in 10 years. I was able to keep my 1100sqft. shack at 74º throughout using just those 2 units. I've been able since to calculate the difference between running one unit vs. running 2 units is about 60 cents a day. I'm paying 10 cents a kWh from the grid. Running just 1 unit it seems to be adding about $1.25 per day to my metered usage. I'm completely sold on heat pump tech for use in air conditioning.
My shack is 100% electric with the exception of my gas grill which we use 3-4 times a week. I'm calculating I'll need 15-17kWh of battery storage to get me from last usable light to first usable liight daily so my starter battery will need to be 4 of those EG4 48v 100ah setups.
I'm still arguing with myself on the all-in-one to buy. Right now I'm leaning toward that Growatt 12kW split phase inverter, but could probably be talked into something else. It would be large enough to run my entire shack and shop.
I'm calculating I will only need an additional 3.5 kW in solar to cover 100% of my usage. That will be the last addition to my hybrid setup.
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". I'm paying 10 cents a kWh from the grid." lucky you , we pay 39 cents and 45 cents between 4pm and 9pm. welcome to california.!
 
Supervstech said:
Be prepared for renters to keep using the plug in heaters even with the minis running… my experience is they run them because they like to be hot… I’ve been to emergency heat out calls where the house was 99 degrees, and they called because they couldn’t get it HOTTER… I adjusted the thermostat to SHOW a higher temp…
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I only rent to fully employed people, no kids, no old people. That way, they are gone most the day. I used to paint interiors and retired couples would keep it 85 degrees or more inside. We had to open all the doors and windows to cool it down before we started. on a side note, as a hvac contractor, would you think that it would be cost worthy to replace attic heater fan that is ten years old. Are todays units significantly more efficient? It runs off natural gas.
 
tomy2 said:
". I'm paying 10 cents a kWh from the grid." lucky you , we pay 39 cents and 45 cents between 4pm and 9pm. welcome to california.!
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I'm well aware of that and am not wasting my 4th quarter advantage! I'm originally from Southern Cal. and worked for SDG&E for several years. If I had confidence that the 10 cent rate would hold where I'm at, I wouldn't bother doing what I'm doing. I expect that within 5 years, rates across the country will rise to meet the California rates. Remember...As goes California so goes the nation.
I think I've lost the 12kw Growatt argument and am now leaning toward 2- EG4 6500EXs instead. :unsure:
 
timselectric said:
That's what Californians think.
The rest of the nation is just waiting for them to break off and sink into the ocean. Then we can stop hearing about all of their silliness. And product packaging can be reduced without the California disclaimers. lol
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I’m tired of waiting for the big one (earthquake). Time to call in Bugs Bunny.

 
OzSolar said:
Wowsa. What is your off peak rate?
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39 cents, peak 45 cents. in my last bill, it said there was a $35. increase in rates, compared to last year!! we are still paying for the construction of Diablo Canyon Nuke. Soon we will start paying for the dismantling of Diablo.
 
Last edited:
Ozark Tinkering said:
Yer heating the attic? Oh my! Who's the old guy living in the attic? ?

btw...I'm pretty old and like keeping my shack at 74º. ;)
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didn't mean to put down all old people, but they generally make lousy renters. jees, i'm 73. and my shack hit 84 last night, not by choice.
 
tomy2 said:
39 cents, peak 45
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Sorry. That was so high I thought it was a typo. I read it as "peak is 39 cents to 45 cents". That is amazing to me. Sounds like the utility is leaving folks no choice but to go to some level of solar.

We aren't on TOU but I bet it's not far off. PV offsets 100% of my energy 10 months/year. I pay 11 cents for a few hundred KWH during those two months.
 
tomy2 said:
I only rent to fully employed people, no kids, no old people. That way, they are gone most the day. I used to paint interiors and retired couples would keep it 85 degrees or more inside. We had to open all the doors and windows to cool it down before we started. on a side note, as a hvac contractor, would you think that it would be cost worthy to replace attic heater fan that is ten years old. Are todays units significantly more efficient? It runs off natural gas.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure what an attic heater fan is.

Blower motor? Furnace in the attic?
 
tomy2 said:
39 cents, peak 45 cents. in my last bill, it said there was a $35. increase in rates, compared to last year!! we are still paying for the construction of Diablo Canyon Nuke. Soon we will start paying for the dismantling of Diablo.
Click to expand...
My SCE (Southern California Edison) plan:
Summer rates apply June through September. Rates are per kWh.
Weekday Summer Rates
Super Off-Peak: 19 cents from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Off-Peak: 42 cents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On-Peak: 74 cents from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
fromport said:
My SCE (Southern California Edison) plan:
Summer rates apply June through September. Rates are per kWh.
Weekday Summer Rates
Super Off-Peak: 19 cents from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Off-Peak: 42 cents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On-Peak: 74 cents from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Click to expand...
BE0F71A9-7F45-4675-96D7-39B3569C9871.jpeg

We are around $0.16 (after all the taxes/fees), rumor is TOU is coming and dead of night off peak will be ~0.04. My brother had an EV, and I think they gave him that cheap rate when he charged at night.
 
fromport said:
My SCE (Southern California Edison) plan:
Summer rates apply June through September. Rates are per kWh.
Weekday Summer Rates
Super Off-Peak: 19 cents from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Off-Peak: 42 cents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On-Peak: 74 cents from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Click to expand...
jeez 74 from 2pm to 8 thats terrible. shut my mouth
 
fromport said:
My SCE (Southern California Edison) plan:
Summer rates apply June through September. Rates are per kWh.
Weekday Summer Rates
Super Off-Peak: 19 cents from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Off-Peak: 42 cents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On-Peak: 74 cents from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Click to expand...
I had no idea there was so much variability in SCE's rates. San Joaquin Valley here, on the TOU-D-4-9, and it looks like this:

52 cents On-Peak (4-9 weekdays)
42 cents Mid-Peak (4-9 weekends and holidays)
33 cents Off-Peak (everything else)
 
tomy2 said:
39 cents, peak 45 cents. in my last bill, it said there was a $35. increase in rates, compared to last year!! we are still paying for the construction of Diablo Canyon Nuke. Soon we will start paying for the dismantling of Diablo.
Click to expand...
Nahh you’ll be paying even more to keep it going then pay again for dismantling

California could lend PG&E $1.4 billion to save Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

The plant could stay open through 2035 under a proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.latimes.com www.latimes.com

All the Nukes in the northeast have trust funds for dismantling they are funded from day one. Time will tell if they will have enough money in the pot for dismantling.
 
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