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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Political/War Lounge > Long Haul: Oil vs Electricity for the Masses

Long Haul: Oil vs Electricity for the Masses (Page 4)
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subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
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Jun 11, 2022, 12:37 PM
 
Still waiting.

ERCOT apparently spit out a record 75GW during the heat wave this week.

With apologies to Roy Scheider, “we’re going to need a bigger generator”.
( Last edited by subego; Jun 11, 2022 at 04:17 PM. )
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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Jun 11, 2022, 07:25 PM
 
A LOT bigger.

We’ve already taken steps here. A couple of years ago we bought thermal curtains. They’re regular drapes, but with a lining that blocks heat. They work well.

Around the same time, I’d assembled solar screens for the west-facing windows. But this next week I’m going to do the same for the east-facing windows. There are a lot more of them, and they’re big. Hopefully, with the good tree canopy on that side, and the combination of solar screens and thermal curtains, we won’t have another 200% electric bill next time.

Yes, these steps will save US money, but they will also reduce our power demand. So the large population here that is on fixed incomes and has essentially nobody that can help them won’t be blacked out because we stayed comfy.

San Antonio and Bexar county have opened cooling centers for those here whose dwellings aren’t able to keep them safe from the dangerous temperatures.

Rest assured though, that the Governor’s Mansion in Austin has not only plenty of A/C capacity, but is on a protected supply circuit AND has back up generators. So Gregg Abbott will stay comfy no matter what…

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
BLAZE_MkIV
Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Nashua NH, USA
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Jun 12, 2022, 11:20 AM
 
The old school method was to plant coniferous trees to the north of the house to block the cold winter winds and deciduous to the south to block the sun in the summer.
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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Jun 21, 2022, 03:31 PM
 
Conifers don’t do San Antonio…. While I don’t miss cleaning up pine needles, I do miss their look and their utility - both in aesthetics and wind management.

We have oaks were the oaks grew; the developer just cleared out the “trash brush” and such, and located the house between the trees. The problem is that even with a good oak canopy, the morning and evening sun goes under the trees and heats things up.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
 
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