Propane versus Elec. in Silver City area? (condo, appliances)

[rockyinbaja]

We are moving to the Silver area in about 3 months, we bought some 37 acres there about 4 yrs ago, east of town in the Lower Membres Valley.
We plan on building a 1900 SF home there. A few yrs back, propane was cheaper to use than elec. I know we will have to use a combination of both, but should we lean one way or the other.
We plan on using radiant heat for the floor, and we have always heard elec. water heaters were inefficient, so that leaves the cook stove and drier--we plan on a large swamp cooler, using a 1 horse 220 motor.
Any sugestions are welcome.
thanks, Rocky

[BrianH]

I find it is always better to use Gas for cooking for one reason. In rural towns the Electricity tends to go down from time to time, and then you will be left with nothing to cook with, boil water etc.

[GregW]

If you are building a new place check out the alternate energy sources like solar and wind power.

Propane is a great cooking fuel because of the control and response time of the burners. Electricity is needed for electronics (he says, stating the blindingly obvious) but not necessary for refrigeration or even light. It all depends on what sort of lifestyle you want.

If I were to move to a really remote area (don’t I wish) I would probably build my own power plant based on a Lister slow speed diesel. It would produce electricity as well as heat through a recovery system. I would also install a moderate size windmill and some solar collectors. I would install very efficient electric refrigerators and an evaporative AC unit. The stoves would run on Propane and/or wood. I grew up in a house with a combination wood/coal/propane stove and it worked very well. I doubt if a cloths dryer is needed. Try a cloths line. The stuff you put on first should be dry by the time you get the line filled.

Above all do what you want and enjoy your slice of a very warm paradise. We are looking foward to finding ours.

[Towanda]

Hey Greg ~

I love the clothes line idea!

I have been keeping a list of ways to conserve water/energy when I move to New Mexico, and I had completely forgotten the idea of hanging clothes outside. The idea is going on my list. Think of how fresh clothes/sheets/towels/etc. will smell after being hung outside in the fresh NM air.

Rocky ~ I would look into solar ... there is lot you can do with it to harness some free energy.

[rockyinbaja]

I want to thank everyone for the great idea's--the clothes line, I know we can afford straight up--will have to check with TW-(the wife) LOL
She was raised on a farm--so I know she might go for it!

[GregW]

I grew up with a cloths line in Upstate NY. In the winter I would sometimes forget and run headlong into a pair of denims. Like to knock myself out on the frozen cloth.

Our condo rules prohibit lines or we would use them. Funny how old technology can be forgotten. These fit the bill - cheap and get the job done.

[BrianH]

When not windy (which is rare in NM!) I use my clothes line. I had a clothes drier in Ireland for years, but probably only used it twice.

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by GregW

I grew up with a cloths line in Upstate NY.

Me too!

[PaddyMac]

I find clothes racks easier than clothes lines and pegs, and no danger of them blowing way or getting bird droppings on them! Here in LA where's there is low humidity, I just put shirts on a hanger, and hang them for a day inside from a wardrobe-style rack or the edge of a tall table. The air is so dry they are ready to put right into the wardrobe the next day. The jeans and stuff that doesn't dry well on hangers you can hang on the clothes racks that fold out. These can go outside as well.

In Ireland/England I couldn't do that - the moisture from the clothes would add too much condensation to the room, and the window ledges would rot out! But I've never seen condensation here, even in the winter.

[30s child]

Propane is expensive. We put in a wood-burning stove last year and used it as our primary supply of heat. It's not only beautiful but it's also warm. We need to use a blower to keep the stove from over-heating. The wood - juniper and oak - was picked up lying on the ground. Worked great, especially the juniper. We have lots of juniper (had to cut in a Forestsry Service clearing project) but it's hard to get to because the land is so uneven and we aren't as young as we once were. Now we only use propane for cooking on the range. Everything else - appliances, including oven, baseboard heat in office - is elecric. We haven't had any trouble with prolonged electric outages.