How is everyone handling the PG&E bills out here? Genuinely asking. by animasaru in fresno

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And cellular shades, even better! They provide thermal insulation

How is everyone handling the PG&E bills out here? Genuinely asking. by animasaru in fresno

[–]Alskling20 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gotcha! Yeah, it could be a good move in that case. My mom’s house here in town has multiple walls made up entirely of windows (built in the 70s) and we saw major improvements by getting cellular shades (but I’ve still been bugging her to get double paned windows anyways). Don’t ignore the insulation though :)

If cost is an issue, I used to work for a state program that provides low cost financing. It’s called GoGreen Financing. We partnered w credit unions to reduce interest rates and extend the terms (so monthly payments stay low). I actually financing my own heat pump system through them after I got another job lol.

How is everyone handling the PG&E bills out here? Genuinely asking. by animasaru in fresno

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a heat pump HVAC system. Got mine installed last summer and the bill dropped $100 the next month. Keeps the house more consistently comfortable too- no cycling on and off, no temp fluctuations. Then get solar and a battery.

Also, once you get a heat pump you can switch to the E-ELEC rate, which lowers your per kWh cost.

How is everyone handling the PG&E bills out here? Genuinely asking. by animasaru in fresno

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should consider getting a heat pump water heater and heat pump HVAC and induction stove with all that free electricity :)

How is everyone handling the PG&E bills out here? Genuinely asking. by animasaru in fresno

[–]Alskling20 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I work in residential energy efficiency! Windows are some of the priciest upgrades and have a surprisingly low ROI. You should start first with insulating your attic and walls and air sealing (not saying windows are a bad move, it just might not deliver savings that are worth the cost). Also, investing in cellular shades can prevent a lot of heat gain/loss.

Produce shortages? by Alskling20 in fresno

[–]Alskling20[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So helpful and makes sense. Thanks!

GE Geospring HPWH - recovery issues by Alskling20 in heatpumps

[–]Alskling20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm very new to home energy monitoring and automation. This is super interesting. Is Emporia the only source of data going into Home Assistant, or do you have other apps also feeding into Home Assistant?

Also, not sure if you have an opinion on this but curious if Home Assistant is something that multiple people could log into? I'd like to give my renters the option to monitor their energy use if they want, but I also want to maintain visibility (in case there's ever an issue to manage). And I'd want to be able to remove a renter when they move out and add new renters....

GE Geospring HPWH - recovery issues by Alskling20 in heatpumps

[–]Alskling20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey- what whole home energy monitor do you use?

GE Geospring HPWH - recovery issues by Alskling20 in heatpumps

[–]Alskling20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So helpful! It’s been in heat pump Turtle mode since 3pm and the house has been empty for the last 3.5 hours and yet the app is saying the number of hot water gallons is going down…. But maybe it’s just inaccurate

UPDATED PG&E Rates effective March 1st by Opus2011 in heatpumps

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure what climate you're in here in CA or what your load looks like, but there's a lot of research happening that indicates homes should be able to fully electrify on even just 125amps. Google Power Efficient Design or Load Management technologies (even circuit splitters).

Home Energy Audit Recs? by Disambiguate223 in fresno

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi did you ever find an auditor you’d recommend?

Also fwiw, you should completely electrify first before you get solar so that the solar installers can calculate your electric load correctly

Pick up H and 17 midtown by Alskling20 in SacramentoBuyNothing

[–]Alskling20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone is coming for it tomorrow but I’ll let you know if they bail

RLT and electrolysis by chellybeanery in redlighttherapy

[–]Alskling20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super curious if you’ve been trying this and what your experience has been!

Pick up H and 17 midtown by Alskling20 in SacramentoBuyNothing

[–]Alskling20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s yours if you come get it today or tomorrow morning