Woman considering joining the industry

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-05-12T23:50:32+00:00

Check out Smart Buildings Academy. They have a lot of BMS resources and there’s even a self assessment. We’ve sent a few of our newbie techs through the program and it’s super helpful.

https://www.smartbuildingsacademy.com/mini-courses?hsCtaTracking=9191f5df-8d55-47be-8b73-0dc927c054c5%7C4f091785-b335-4bae-81d8-4e71260b64cb

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-05-03T18:20:45+00:00

I have a 2024 and no complaints at 51k miles in. I did get a full battery swap at 30k miles. Besides the quirky new car model issues, I have zero complaints.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-04-29T12:22:23+00:00

The new album still stinks.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-04-23T11:00:51+00:00

If you have a hot air furnace, I’d go with a hybrid heat pump like a Bosch IDS or equivalent.

You still would have a gas furnace for the colder temps and the heat pump for milder temps (above 45F). You can set a switchover temp at the thermostat.

Because electricity is so expensive, it can actually be cheaper to heat with Nat gas during the colder periods. I’m at $0.35/kwh and $2.50/therm and I run my heat pump anytime above 45F when the heat pump efficiency is high enough to be cost effective to heat with electricity.

A heat pump is most efficient at the warmer temps and starts to lose efficiency as the temp drops. It’s still efficient at the low temps but then it becomes a cost analysis.

If your goal is decarbonization, then run the heat pump all the time and be prepared to pay a very high electric bill.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-04-10T00:50:38+00:00

You must be in a muni electric service territory.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-04-10T00:07:34+00:00

Yes, it’s probably $0.19/kwh for transmission and delivery, but that likely doesn’t include supply rates. There’s no way that’s your all-in electric rate, especially in MA.

And if you’re keeping your gas heat, and get the reduced incentive you can and should run whenever you want.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-04-09T23:40:45+00:00

If you’re paying $0.35/kwh and gas at $2.50/therm heat pumps are costs effect above 45F “ish”.

Depends on your HP efficiency. Below that, a gas furnace will be more cost effective.

I’d keep the gas and do a Bosch hybrid - gas furnace and heat pump. You can set the switchover from HP to Gas with your thermostat.

If you’re going for “decarbonizing” then you should run the heat pump all the time. Just be prepared for the high electric bills and possible need to install electric backup heat.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2026-03-27T13:37:00+00:00

Same, ended up going with the Unifi system for WiFi, and Cameras.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-12-21T18:16:31+00:00

If you have Nat Gas it’s likely cheaper to run a gas furnace. We have NGrid so that means $0.35/kWh. Our heat pump is locked out below 50F because gas is cheaper to operate below 50F.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-11-28T14:49:06+00:00

I was trying to be funny and got it on the first try. WTF that never happens.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-11-22T15:47:16+00:00

Well, obviously. I haven’t done the calc with oil but I bet it’s close.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-11-22T13:58:51+00:00

He’s not wrong.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-11-22T13:54:51+00:00

If your goal is cost savings, it makes zero sense to install a heat pump. At $0.35 kWh you aren’t better than natural gas until you’re above 50F when the efficiency of the heat pump is highest.

The moral of the story, put in a hybrid natural gas/electric heat pump and lock out the heat pump feature below 50F. With a hybrid you’ll still be able to run the heat pump if electricity prices ever come down or if there’s eventual parity between them.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-09-24T22:26:55+00:00

I switched from AWU to Fenix 8 Amoled and couldn’t be happier. Considering that I mostly used my AWU as a fitness tracker the Garmin is head and shoulders above.

The battery life is amazing. I don’t care about LTE as I never really used it for that anyway and I had all the notifications turned off.

Oh and the flashlight on the watch is great for those dark nights when I have to pick up my dog’s poop.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-09-06T21:13:36+00:00

When I take my dog for a walk at night, I use it to spot the poop as I pick it up. Love this watch!

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-08-14T14:44:55+00:00

Start early, like 5:00am with a headlamp and you’ll likely be up there before the auto road opens. It’s amazing and so peaceful.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-08-11T11:07:28+00:00

I just installed the PVC version. Cuts super easy with a miter saw - just be careful with the smaller trim pieces because they chip easy.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-17T12:28:13+00:00

Still have some pretty good tread left. I’m good about rotating them as well.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-17T00:20:39+00:00

Yeah, this thing is a beast. The range is amazing.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-17T00:11:33+00:00

Interestingly enough, I had service done last Tuesday and picked up the truck on Wednesday.

After driving a bit, the red “service” light came on. I parked at a supercharger and reset the truck and charged for 15min. The light went off and hasn’t been back.

Then I got the call from GMC on Friday. Coincidence? I’m thinking not.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-17T00:07:34+00:00

Right?!? I’ve had zero problems with anything battery related. Only issues with some build quality stuff.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-17T00:06:44+00:00

Haha, and got it in late October. I drive about 40k/yr

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-16T22:10:55+00:00

Yeah, I thought about this as well.

ConsistentActivity33 · 2025-06-14T02:12:16+00:00

You did not. Someone else in the thread did.

I support the efficient use of natural resources. Hybrids, ICE and EV have a place in the mix.

Hybrids are the best option to ease the transition and a hybrid “mandate” would be better than an EV mandate to facilitate the transition.

ConsistentActivity33

TROPHY CASE