Going off the electrical grid

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I was wondering, would it or could it be cheaper to run a generator rather than staying hooked into the electrical grid?

I'm trying to remember a class I had when in school. I think the teacher said that, for example, a 60 watt lightbulb takes 60 watts to start glowing but a lot less to stay lit, although it still pulls 60 watts through and the unused electricity returns back to the power company which is then sold to the house next door. Also, your meter outside records this unused electricity and slows down the consumption or something like that.

Now, if you are off the electrical grid and there's a way to use the unused electricity that runs through, could you use a gas powered or whatever type of generator that would cost less than the power company?

[duke0476]

Originally Posted by Nebuchadnezzar

I was wondering, would it or could it be cheaper to run a generator rather than staying hooked into the electrical grid?

I'm trying to remember a class I had when in school. I think the teacher said that, for example, a 60 watt lightbulb takes 60 watts to start glowing but a lot less to stay lit, although it still pulls 60 watts through and the unused electricity returns back to the power company which is then sold to the house next door. Also, your meter outside records this unused electricity and slows down the consumption or something like that.

Now, if you are off the electrical grid and there's a way to use the unused electricity that runs through, could you use a gas powered or whatever type of generator that would cost less than the power company?

For what you would want to power I would guess you will spend much more in gas. Gas generators are designed for short term use because they are incredibly inefficient.

[duke0476]

You could make this work for the price of beer.
http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/11/08/n...red-generator/

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by Nebuchadnezzar

I was wondering, would it or could it be cheaper to run a generator rather than staying hooked into the electrical grid?

I'm trying to remember a class I had when in school. I think the teacher said that, for example, a 60 watt lightbulb takes 60 watts to start glowing but a lot less to stay lit, although it still pulls 60 watts through and the unused electricity returns back to the power company which is then sold to the house next door. Also, your meter outside records this unused electricity and slows down the consumption or something like that.

Now, if you are off the electrical grid and there's a way to use the unused electricity that runs through, could you use a gas powered or whatever type of generator that would cost less than the power company?

Move next to a moving stream, and you may have a chance at electrical independence.

[jmccracky]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

Move next to a moving stream, and you may have a chance at electrical independence.

Haha....true dat.

Going off the electrical grid would be nice. However, I've had generators in the past. They are nice to keep around. But at almost $4 a gallon for gas.......fuhgetaboutit!

[Slappy from New Haven]

Thats math

The CoC said no math would be involved

[Bengalzona]

We have some folks out here who are totally off the grid. It ain't easy, even with the abundance of sunlight to supply solar cells year round. But it is possible. Most people with solar here choose to just stay on the grid and sell the excess power back to the electric company.

[RumbleCat]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

Thats math

The CoC said no math would be involved

Math is a necessity when my CoC is involved. And no, I'm not talking about fractions!

[duke0476]

Originally Posted by RumbleCat

Math is a necessity when my CoC is involved. And no, I'm not talking about fractions!

Yes but when you use the metric system it sounds much bigger.

[RumbleCat]

Originally Posted by duke0476

Yes but when you use the metric system it sounds much bigger.

Why did I know it would be you?

-

^ That is an inch, right?

[duke0476]

Originally Posted by RumbleCat

Why did I know it would be you?

-

^ That is an inch, right?

Find yourself a cross eyed girl. She will think it's 2 inches.

[RumbleCat]

Originally Posted by duke0476

Find yourself a cross eyed girl. She will think it's 2 inches.

lol

[BengalRugby]

I was wondering, would it or could it be cheaper to run a generator rather than staying hooked into the electrical grid?

I'm trying to remember a class I had when in school. I think the teacher said that, for example, a 60 watt lightbulb takes 60 watts to start glowing but a lot less to stay lit, although it still pulls 60 watts through and the unused electricity returns back to the power company which is then sold to the house next door. Also, your meter outside records this unused electricity and slows down the consumption or something like that.

Now, if you are off the electrical grid and there's a way to use the unused electricity that runs through, could you use a gas powered or whatever type of generator that would cost less than the power company?


Just talkiing a generator, then you are going to pay through the nose for electricity. A small one I purchased a while back has enough juice to run the fridge and another large appliance, and will eat a gallon of mixed gas a day. If you expand upon that, then you'll see that 120 a month for limited appliances is not a good way to go, energy cost-wise.


As Sunset mentioned, your best bet is a moving stream for the bang:buck ratio.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by duke0476

Yes but when you use the metric system it sounds much bigger.

True, but describing a lady's figure as a perfect 91-62-91 sounds awful.

[BengalRugby]

True, but describing a lady's figure as a perfect 91-62-91 sounds awful.

[RumbleCat]

Originally Posted by BengalRugby

True, but describing a lady's figure as a perfect 91-62-91 sounds awful.

OR

[fredtoast]

Living off the grid is simple.

The key is to live underground. Heating and cooling your house is the biggest energy cost. Live underground and your home stays the same temperature year round.

Then get some solar panels, a windmill, and a generator you can run from an exercise bike.

If you have acess to wooded land you can heat with that.

Take cold showers and eat raw food.

Raise pigs and produce methane from their manure.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by BengalRugby

True, but describing a lady's figure as a perfect 91-62-91 sounds awful.

...Only if she's 5'3"

[RumbleCat]

Originally Posted by fredtoast

Living off the grid is simple.

The key is to live underground. Heating and cooling your house is the biggest energy cost. Live underground and your home stays the same temperature year round.

Then get some solar panels, a windmill, and a generator you can run from an exercise bike.

If you have acess to wooded land you can heat with that.

Take cold showers and eat raw food.

Raise pigs and produce methane from their manure.

Sounds simple enough.