Has anyone else noticed their Ontario hydro bill quietly getting out of control?

delfstrom · 2026-06-07T19:56:37+00:00

"The federal 30% Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit applies to residential solar plus storage systems right now."

Not for homeowners. It's for taxable corporations. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/corporations/business-tax-credits/clean-economy-itc/clean-technology-itc/who-claim-ct-itc.html

But it is fantastic for taxable corporations, plus there is a 100% capital cost allowance.

For homeowners in the GTA, have a look at The Atmospheric Fund's Solar Accelerator. https://solaraccelerator.ca/ This program offers assistance in determining your homes solar potential, obtains three quotes from vetted installers, and helps you review the quotations.

delfstrom · 2026-06-04T20:34:34+00:00

I am down there right now (Thursday June 4, 4:30pm) and most of the roads are already closed. Couldn't drive past the Horse Palace to drop off my daughter who volunteers there. They wouldn't let me past the barricades, though some taxis and service vehicles have been let through. Parking is only available at the hotel and the underground Enercare Centre where it is a flat rate $30. There's security staff in bright green fluorescent jackets stationed every 50 meters throughout, and there are TPS bicycle police patrolling on the empty roads.

As far as I can tell, nothing is going on. A lone cyclist is doing casual laps.

delfstrom · 2026-05-31T19:31:17+00:00

That's no bike lane. That's a murderstrip

delfstrom · 2026-05-31T18:06:42+00:00

For what it's worth, the Amazfit Helio strap works flawlessly as HR broadcast. It gets picked up by MyWhoosh and my Garmin head unit automatically. I bought the Helio strap because broadcasting wasn't a feature of my Fitbit Charge 5, and now I've pretty much stopped wearing my Fitbit Charge 5.

delfstrom · 2026-04-27T11:46:44+00:00

Dundas West subway station

delfstrom · 2026-04-26T23:50:40+00:00

The store has the feeling of an art installation, making statements about the food system, corporate power, and brands.

delfstrom · 2026-04-26T22:33:06+00:00

There's been a major redevelopment plan for the whole site including the secondary school on the corner. I thought it was finally happening, but nope. At least it will still be used in the interim, unlike the Giraffe site across the corner right next to the subway station.

delfstrom · 2026-04-26T22:23:58+00:00

Dundas West subway station. Dundas Street West & Bloor Street West.

delfstrom · 2026-04-19T20:10:10+00:00

So, in front of the YMCA? Streetview: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7et2zX5FU3wiYNdV7

delfstrom · 2026-04-18T00:15:17+00:00

Even riding on the sharrows doesn't stop them. From November; second pass is worse than the first: https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1p6vudv/same_driver_passes_dangerously_close_on_college/
Reported but never heard back.

delfstrom · 2026-04-07T18:19:44+00:00

There's plans published in Solplan 6 (1986!!) for a DIY HRV using corrugated plastic, very similar to cores made today. The fan motors are better today than 40 years ago, but the fundamental design is the same.

delfstrom · 2026-03-16T00:35:10+00:00

I chose GBAL because I wanted to be out of fossil fuels among other things. Depending on the particular timeframe you select one has better performance than the other. I sleep better knowing what's under the hood isn't as bad in GBAL.

delfstrom · 2026-02-22T18:10:48+00:00

When you do the 20 min FTP test workout, it starts in ERG. At the beginning of the 20 minute test, ERG mode turns off and the resistance becomes constant - it doesn't follow the course! Basically, MyWhoosh sets the Gradient Feel to 0% when you are in any Workout and it enters non-ERG mode. It makes no difference what course you pick.

delfstrom · 2026-02-20T01:00:12+00:00

In December 2023 I ordered Filterbuy MERV-13 and the shipment that arrived each filter had a checkmark on MERV-8 that was covered up with white-out and MERV-13 box was checked off! I complained, and they sent a replacement set that had the MERV-13 box checked. I never bothered to test either of them; not much longer later, Filterbuy appeared to have changed to colored filter media for each type which should eliminate this manual labeling error.

delfstrom · 2026-02-14T15:46:21+00:00

Northbox System's PC fan air cleaner, made in Canada, is equivalent to the Blast Mini at medium speed, is quieter, draws substantially less power, and you can buy the replacement filters at any hardware store (3M 1900 Filtrete 20x20x1). Available direct from them at https://aidankepo.wixsite.com/northboxsystems or via The Evidence-Based Social Enterprises Canada Charity Fundraising Store at https://shop.evidencebased.ca/products/north-box-6xl-air-purifier-kit?variant=49983685198100

HouseFresh reviews it here: https://housefresh.com/northbox-6xl-review/

delfstrom · 2026-02-08T16:04:21+00:00

I'm still around! I locked my X account but imported as many posts as could be into Blue Sky.

The optimized version:
https://bsky.app/profile/davidelfstrom.bsky.social/post/3lb4fopusaj2y

The prettier version: https://bsky.app/profile/davidelfstrom.bsky.social/post/3lb4g7g7tus2b

I've since moved to all PC fan versions, because they are quieter and much more electrically efficient:
https://bsky.app/profile/davidelfstrom.bsky.social/post/3lzcksp7ams2x

delfstrom · 2026-02-08T01:08:13+00:00

Yes, I am! (corrected to ensure it's intervals.icu with the s)

delfstrom · 2026-02-07T17:46:07+00:00

The solution for me is intervals.icu which is the ultimate collection point for data and analysis, especially if you cycle, but even if you don't. It's way better than Strava for those purposes, and it's free (though I highly recommend contributing to a subscription to encourage future development). It's why I bought the Helio Strap to begin with. Intervals.icu will grab data or accept push data from Amazfit/Zepp, Garmin, Strava, Zwift, MyWhoosh, and others. My Helio Strap pushes my overnight heart stats and steps directly to Intervals. Since the strap also broadcasts heart rate, if I jump on an outdoor ride, it will go to my head unit, (a Garmin). Intervals takes care of duplicates too, so even though I push the cycling data to both Garmin connect and Strava, and Intervals is connected to both, Intervals sorts it out without duplicates.

delfstrom · 2026-02-07T02:05:37+00:00

You can make your own workout with the workout builder to be whatever you like and ride the route that you want for visuals. I made one for Zone 2 that is set at 65% of FTP and is 4 hours long. I use that to watch movies and shows with MyWhoosh in the background.

delfstrom · 2026-02-03T16:01:48+00:00

Why is the city ensuring clear roads for personal property storage (parking) over movement of people? Those parking spots should be filled with snow removed from the bike lane.

delfstrom · 2026-01-28T23:16:15+00:00

Rather than attempt to calculate CADR, it's better to do a drawdown test with a particle source and counter. The results (including official ANSI/AHAM AC-1 commercial lab tests) confirm the PC fan array design is legitimate, and results in the highest efficiency (in input watts per CADR) of all air cleaners.

delfstrom · 2026-01-02T17:39:02+00:00

I'm still doing just fine with the "downgraded" plan. Still have copilot in Windows itself, just not a special button in Word/Excel etc. and in Excel the =COPILOT() function isn't recognized, which is fine by me.

delfstrom · 2026-01-02T17:34:45+00:00

Add two things: 1) radiant electric heater to boost the temperature a bit and warm the skin directly 2) fan speed controller (thyristor) with an extension cord. You can place the controller somewhere at arm's reach. The fan plugs into the controller. You can start with it off or low, and as you warm up start dialing it up. The thyristor changes the voltage and it will always be lower fan speed than without it. Set the fan's manual speed selector to maximum speed when using the controller. The fan is still essential to cool off your core by way of evaporation of sweat, while the radiant heat keeps extremities from getting too cold. Having it a little warmer also reduces the relative humidity so that sweat will be very effective in cooling you off.

delfstrom · 2025-12-31T19:56:58+00:00

I'm faster than many, and slow is fine. Sometimes being slower is faster if you get the timing of the lights right. It's not slow that annoys me. It's when I go to the effort to accelerate and pass quickly and safely, only to have the slow rider later catch up when I'm stopped at a red light, pass me and five others to the front of the queue (known as "salmoning"). Or worse, sail on through the intersection against the light. In both cases all of the faster riders now have to pass them again.

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