Solar in Houston? (Canyon Lake, Canyon, West: loan, Home Depot, water heater) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

NTT · 05-30-2011, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegankris

We won't have a mortgage, but our available cash once we buy our home will be limited. My husband likes the idea of geothermal, but I know it's expensive, maybe about what 5kw of solar would cost. I guess I was just wanting to hear what others might say about how well solar works in Houston. It seems though that no one on CD has solar panels on their roof.

I like the ideas of just making the house more energy efficient. I suppose when cash is limited, it's a matter of deciding what is the best return on investment.

Thanks for all the information

Take care,
Kris

When I had to replace my water heater, I was looking into using a tankless water heater. It is more energy sufficient than the traditional water heater. Unfortunately, at the time, this type of unit was still new in the US and prices were high. Like the metric system, the rest of the world is quite knowledgeable about waterless tanks.

Tankless water heater units are now getting more popular. You may want to look into it and don't just get any plumber to install it. You'd need one that is knowledgeable about installing tankless water heater.

Malvie · 05-31-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTT

When I had to replace my water heater, I was looking into using a tankless water heater. It is more energy sufficient than the traditional water heater. Unfortunately, at the time, this type of unit was still new in the US and prices were high. Like the metric system, the rest of the world is quite knowledgeable about waterless tanks.

Tankless water heater units are now getting more popular. You may want to look into it and don't just get any plumber to install it. You'd need one that is knowledgeable about installing tankless water heater.

I looked into one of these the last time I replaced a water heater (about 6-7 years ago) in Arkansas. It wasn't economically feasible then. I wonder if they've gotten into the reasonable range? I'd love to replace mine; that's one of my pet peeves (paying for all that nice hot water---when nobody's home).

I also have a wind-power plan. Still got a great rate.

Solar panels: technology is going to have to improve before they're worth it. I like the idea, since we certainly have enough sun, but I won't live long enough to reap any financial benefit---and there's the HOA maze to navigate...

chris_ut · 05-31-2011, 08:20 AM

Discovery at Spring Trails is the neighborhood that has solar as an option on all the houses.

crone · 05-31-2011, 08:39 AM

My daughter in Tallahassee just got a tankless water heater. They are so good now, they installed it behind her garage, outside. There were 6 of us, showering, laundry, cooking. Never a problem. The entire cost was $1500. Then the city gave a rebate because they are trying to avoid electricity use, they provide electricity, plus the income tax break. Cost her less than the ordinary one we installed a couple of years ago. Plus she picked up the space from the heater that was in her utility room. I'd be happy to get my 2 out of the attic.

Sunderpig · 05-31-2011, 08:46 AM

That's something I've thought about, and plan to look into. In general, we tend to get an abundance of sunshine. So far this year, we've gotten an extra dose!

As far as installation on one's roof, the panels don't necessarily need to be on the rooftop. They could be in the backyard, just out of the shade and within view of the sun.

vegankris · 05-31-2011, 09:18 AM

I really like the idea of geothermal now! I looked into it a bit further and the tax rebates offered are pretty good. Definitely makes it more affordable and all the reviews about it are really positive. It seems like a good idea to start with making our house energy efficient first, therefore reducing the electric use so if I ever decide to install solar I can use a small system. My husband has always wanted a tankless water heater, so I will have to look into that once we get to Houston to see if there is someone local who knows all about them and how to install one. I agree that paying for hot water when no one is using it is a complete waste.

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm really happy that Houston offers the option of choosing wind or solar electricity. It makes me feel better about purchasing a larger home.

Take care,
Kris

testmo · 05-31-2011, 10:20 AM

you likely will need a solar tankless water heater professionally installed. i wouldnt do it DIY. a lot of homes need to having piping changed in order to install and work properly. that can be why it is not economically efficient. if you are looking at older homes you will need your plumbing changed and professional install. it can be just as green to not just dump a perfectly good tank water heater

i think geothermal is a pipe dream unless you are building your own home. and if you were i believe the price is still huge up front. you can buy refurbished solar panels and there are a lot of install companies. having a small grid system helps out and pays itself off faster than some $50k investment. it is still expensive and from an old neighbor who is nearly completely off the grid (living in the museum district) rebates shouldnt really be considered especially if you cant swing the full price on your own.

we live in a 51 yr old home and our house is super energy efficient with just cheap changes. so someone saying you have to have a 10 yr old house or newer thats silly. our last energy bill was $63 with 90+ degree days (home over 2000 sqft) AND we pay a higher premium for 100% renewable energy (through Bounce). i get cold in our living room at night and have to have a throw blanket around. our house is shaded and faced the right way

dry your clothes on a drying rack or clothline in the back (some HOA's dont allow this so get retractable), wash dishes in the sink when you can without constantly running the water, keep ceiling fans on and get a programmable thermostat (mine is set for 80 degrees when we are not home), get good windows and repair any air leaks (i have storm windows over old windows - bought it that way), check your insulation in the attic and put in more if needed

i cant remember the last time i used the drier. they are one of the most non-efficient appliances you can have energy star or not

chris_ut · 05-31-2011, 01:23 PM

As far as savings from a tankless water heater, my water heater is gas and that plus the gas oven and gas dryer my bill is maybe $30 a month so I would guess it costs me around $19 a month for hot water which would take a long time to pay off on a $1500 install of a tankless heater. That being said my next house will have tankless from the get go, but I don't think a retrofit makes economic sense. There is one minor advantage to a regular water heater which is that you have 40 gallons of hot water available to you in an emergency situation where your power and water may be cut for days or weeks.

jimboburnsy · 05-31-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegankris

I really like the idea of geothermal now! I looked into it a bit further and the tax rebates offered are pretty good. Definitely makes it more affordable and all the reviews about it are really positive. It seems like a good idea to start with making our house energy efficient first, therefore reducing the electric use so if I ever decide to install solar I can use a small system. My husband has always wanted a tankless water heater, so I will have to look into that once we get to Houston to see if there is someone local who knows all about them and how to install one. I agree that paying for hot water when no one is using it is a complete waste.

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm really happy that Houston offers the option of choosing wind or solar electricity. It makes me feel better about purchasing a larger home.

Take care,
Kris

Do a lot of research if you go with geothermal. I'm not an expert at all but my understanding is that the fluid in the ground here is fairly warm and the soil composition along this part of the gulf coast functions as an insulator around the geothermal loop. That coupled with the long cooling season and minimal heating season means that you can "deplete" your geothermal well over the course of a few years by increasing the average temperature of the water table under your house.

In other words, the way it was explained to me by a competent source was that you will have a similar electrical demand from your cooling equipment but will have a considerably higher initial cost even with any government credits and the possibility that your equipment is not going to work for very long in exchange for eliminating the possibility that your A/C will ever leak CFC's into the atmosphere.

The information that I'm reciting is from about 2006. Hopefully someone has expanded on that by now.

vegankris · 05-31-2011, 03:24 PM

Thanks so much everyone for the wealth of information in this thread! I guess it just isn't going to be simple to figure out how to "green" our home. The house we are in now is almost 100 years old with really thick plaster walls. We also have tons of trees shading our house even though we are in a very urban area. So, our utilities have always been low. I too don't use the drier and other than just trying to keep lights off when we aren't in a room, there isn't much else I've had to do to keep our usage low. I have a lot to research before we make a decision.

Thanks for ALL the great info!

Take care,
Kris