I have progress energy here in Raleigh, NC and they charge $0.10 per kilowatt which is outrageous. They are also a monopoly. I no option to switch electric companies. The home is 2300 square feet and is all electric. No gas appliances. Would it be possible to switch to a generator and just buy gas when needed? If so, how long would it be before I notice the savings?
2007-10-01 08:41:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
this would not economical becuase of the size of the generator needed and the fuel and maintenance....to figure this multiply the amps 200 times volts 230 this gives you 46000 watts ....in order to have a generator that could handle this without burning up you would need a 60000 watt generator....if you exceed 80 percent of the rated load on a generator it will burn up eventually or the voltage regulator will go bad..would be cheaper to just keep the system you have...
2007-10-01 16:38:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Anything is possible if you believe it to be. The issue for you certainly is fuel; be it Gas or Gasoline; and a whole house unit that can produce adequate 220 and 110 at the same time.
Without knowing your budget; or desire to have natural gas; or the ability to access it; and knowing that gasoline is prohibitely expensive in the sense of running a generator 24/7; I do agree in part with SOME solar. If a decent sized natl. Gas unit costs $5K and the hookup and impact fee another 5 to 8 K, then the monthly cost for the fuel and service; I want desperatley to believe you don't spend that in a year with Progress E.
Solar works fine for heating water. To own enough collector panels; have space for them; have storage capacity if need be; might be more expensive than your "current" @ 10 cents per KWH. No offense to the answer about the power company BUYING excess power you have; but I suspect that would never be an issue.
Certainly doing some research with various companies that offer and service alternative power sources is where you might begin; and compare costs over a year or more; including anything you need in any method of conversion. Certainly the power company won't mind not serving you.
BTW, no offense to you, but ALL "Utility companies" are monoplies. While not in control of the entire state; Progress is nationwide; and deals quite well with any minor competition.
You might NEVER save? and still might investigate multiple alternatives; such as Solar water heating; since the heater runs at 220 and in your case might be on full steam 24/7.
You might also investigate adding insulation; determine how well the balance of the house retains heat and AC; cut back on the use of both; turn lights off when not needing them; etc. etc. Not that you don't now;;;just suggestions.
Steven Wolf
2007-10-01 09:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible, but I think you would still be charged for the meter reading.
One thing to consider, you would need a generator that could handle your fridge, your tv, computer, and AC or heater. These items suck down a lot of power, and that doesn't include all your other appliances. So, depending on how much power you use, you would need at least that size of generator. Now, depending on how big the generator is and the load put on the generator, you would probably want more power than what you use everyday.
The generator would probably need filled up at least twice a day. The tank size would probably be at least 5 gallons, so imagine filling a 10 gallon tank everyday. Gas prices are aroune $2.75, where I am, so that would be about $27 a day. Even if you only use 5 gallons a day, that would still be between $100 to $150 a week, so about $400 to 600 per month. That is if you only use 5 gallons of fuel per day.
I don't think you would see an advantage for at least a year, because of fuel costs and also to see how much power you are actually using.
What you could do, install solar power. You will still be on the power grid, and when you aren't using power, or have excess power, the power company has to buy your power. It might not be much, but they will do that. Granted, there is cost to do that, but to me, it would be worth it, having the power company pay you.
2007-10-01 09:02:25 · answer #3 · answered by George P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To go off grid you will need a 48 KW generator for an all electric home. That would replace your 200 amp electric service. The generator would run 24/7. It would be most cost effective to run the generator on natural gas or propane. Do an Internet search for generators of this size and note the life expectancy and the fuel consumption. I think you will find the $.10 per KW is a real bargain. Otherwise we would all be doing it.
2007-10-01 15:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by John himself 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You will pay many times what you are paying now to power your home with a generator. You might get lucky and have deregulated electric in your area like we have in Texas. Only have to pay .132 per kilowatt. It increased 40 to 50 % after our politicians and electric companies got together to save all of us rate payers money. We have plenty of them to choose from but most don't offer much savings and some of the so called green companies are higher.
2007-10-01 14:32:50 · answer #5 · answered by fixitall 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible. Unfortunately, you will wait forever for the savings, because even on natural gas your fuel costs will be somewhere between 30 and 50 cents per KWH, and that is not accounting for the cost of the generator or the maintenance. Look for generators online, then check fuel consumption, then check your local gas prices. Liquid fuels will be even higher.
A better bet would be to try to reduce your power consumption with more or better insulation, shading your house with trees, adjusting your thermostat, switching to compact flourescent bulbs, etc. Search online for those ideas.
If you want to go greener, you could look at installing solar or wind power generation equipment, but even with tax breaks or subsidies that is not really going to save you money.
2007-10-01 09:12:40 · answer #6 · answered by Frank Spillman 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
okay you live in a 2300 squarefoot home and you can't afford the electric bill?
Try down sizing a little bit like 1800 square foot may cut down more so then getting a pig in your back yard!
FYI a pig is that gas thing that would be used to fill your Generator!
if you do what i suggested you will notice it right away!
2007-10-01 10:04:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Of course you can install your own generator. You will never save money. It will cost you 4 or 5 times as much to generate your own power. Public power is a bargain. If you want to cut costs you must lower your consumption.
2007-10-01 10:26:20 · answer #8 · answered by morris 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Buy a outdoor wood furnace, problem solved, as for wood, no problem here in ohio, lol, no more gas or electric company, except for the blower on the air handler. Just tell the neighbors, its a new type of smoker.
2007-10-01 14:02:02 · answer #9 · answered by mustachekat 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
False
2016-04-06 23:00:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋