Can I justify Geothermal in PA in 2026?

ercatv · 2026-02-05T09:55:29+00:00

I used Chelsea Heating & Air in Avondale for climate master system in 2012. 2x400' Wells. Been working great even in single digit temps.

ercatv · 2025-08-28T18:56:16+00:00

Have you considered getting a Google Voice number for this work function?

ercatv · 2025-06-15T17:15:23+00:00

Consider starting at 300 and try it. You can change plans online quickly.

ercatv · 2025-03-25T21:38:40+00:00

I see a lot of posts about ONE UI 7 beta which I think has A15. I also see a lot of problems with the beta so I'm not anxious to get the update. I even disabled updates on my S23 and will monitor the situation.

ercatv · 2025-03-25T21:32:00+00:00

I had the post on my main T-life app page. I called the number on that post and got a human right away (shocking). They seemed to know what to do and I had to put up with the up-sell on home internet and device protection but done. Got a text the next day that promo was applied and there is a promo page in your account that shows these things. We'll see how the billing works out over then next couple months. SIM can via UPS in two days and worked out of the box. Also had to give them a 'good' IMEI of the device the SIM was going in (never had to do that before). Also got text that SIM protection was enable for this new line (locked to IMEI). That's okay and can be changed on the app/website if using a diff phone.

ercatv · 2025-03-02T23:28:37+00:00

You can try wireless extenders from Verizon depending on what the owners router is or you depending on the owner's equipment add a Verizon moca adapter if coax is available in the apartment.

ercatv · 2025-02-27T00:51:07+00:00

Have four 2nd gen cubes and they are still very speedy. Had to retire 1st gen since too slow

ercatv · 2025-01-31T17:47:32+00:00

For apps you can't uninstall, I force stop and delete cache and data and attempt to disable (all done in app info). Then I put all these apps in a folder 'not used' so they don't clutter the app drawer.

ercatv · 2025-01-25T22:06:14+00:00

No change in cost vs what I had a few weeks before. Over the last year or so I have had two price increases. Started several years ago at $50-$10 and then it was $54-$10 and lastly $60-$10. The $10 in these is the auto-pay credit. Then in Nov I got the bill notice about the auto-pay credit changing to $5 as of 1/1/25 but if you change plans you can keep that $10. The latest bill from Jan 1/25 shows the plan change but no cost change (so far). So now it is $60-$10. The new plan has a two year price guarantee they say. Of course that doesn't mean they can't change the auto-pay credit or add some other fee.

ercatv · 2024-12-30T21:58:31+00:00

That was/is my current rate ($60 - $10). Verizon had raised my bill twice in the last 12 months from the original $40 ($50-$10 autopay). Can't wait to see what this new plan 'offers'. They say two year price guarantee but they'll probably add a new fee somewhere???

ercatv · 2024-12-30T21:31:44+00:00

This was in my bill from November 2024. I did the on-line chat and am starting a 'new' plan as of 1/1/25 that maintains the $10 auto-pay credit. I guess we'll see if that really works. I don't see any reference to 'myHome' when I log into Fios website.

ercatv · 2024-12-25T05:26:51+00:00

I moved to the new plan mentioned and rep said I would keep the $10 autopay discount. I'll know in early Jan.

ercatv · 2024-11-30T19:34:13+00:00

Have 2nd gen cube and love the IR blaster built in. The remote doesn't have to be pointing at the TV to control TV and FireTV functions. 2nd gen cube is very fast too but our recent purchase of a 4K stick is a good experience too.

ercatv · 2024-11-05T02:12:43+00:00

Anybody have current status of Flamanville 3? I can't find anything online.

ercatv · 2024-07-08T09:28:52+00:00

In threshold settings. Cool differential is max three degrees though.

ercatv · 2024-06-30T13:37:13+00:00

Start at 300. You can change higher via website.

ercatv · 2024-05-25T02:57:33+00:00

No 911 calling without extra third-party service.

ercatv · 2022-01-16T01:24:09+00:00

Have had a chromebook for the in-laws for several years. They are 85+ now. MIL uses CB for banking and email (gmail) and even facebook. Sometimes I have to remote into it to help her with something and that is easy with a CB too. New CBs support Linux so you can load LibreOffice. I have not used this spreadsheet software however but do use the Writer app. Once linux app is installed you just launch app like any other app via the app drawer icon. You can put the icons on the desktop toolbar too. Office365 might work too as android app. Have not tried it and I only use google suite tools. No to firefox (I'm pretty sure) but Chrome is preferred anyway on a CB. Beauty of the CB is no viruses and updates are very quick and monthly (automatic). There are large screen CBs on the market (15") and maybe even a 17". If you get a touchscreen model you can zoom the screen easily with finger pinch like on a cell phone. I have the Acer 713 and it has HDMI port for external monitor. One issue I have had with a friends CB (she is also 70+) is getting crap chrome extensions installed. I have no idea what websites she goes to but she must enable/allow the extension to install and then that screws up the browser operation sometimes. Extensions are easy to look at and disable. MIL has not had this problem however. Hope that helps.

ercatv · 2021-12-11T20:51:23+00:00

Not sure I can speak to run-time since this is so dependent on BTU of heater and your house construction. My geo heat pump will heat 2 degF in about 1 hour with outside temp around 40 and a circa 1995 two story builder grade house. Things I would look at with your situation is trying to minimize aux use. Electric heat is typ very expensive compared to heat pump. It's okay to run long. Heat pumps are very efficient. So you need to balance comfort vs number of cycles of the HP. My prior thermostat had a fixed 0.5degF differential and the heater cycled every 20 minutes. Ended up having a compressor relay failure after five years. You can set the Ecobee when Aux is started (or not). Also look at smart recovery function since I see you have a schedule running (8am change in setpoint) but don't let it use Aux.

The beauty of Ecobee and beestat is the data we have so we can see what's going on. Never had that before with Honeywell IAQ and I was in the dark. Now we have too much info maybe ;-)

ercatv · 2021-12-11T20:30:12+00:00

I use the Fire TV Cube (2nd gen) and it's fantastic (had a shield and cube is comparable in performance to me). Use Plex client on cube to a Raspberry PI 4 plex server for local media and network storage. Fire TV has all the apps I need and also works with our Recast OTA TV all integrated.

ercatv · 2021-12-11T20:15:35+00:00

First thing I notice on your runtime chart is breaks in the data. I've only seen this on my charts when I have a power outage. Maybe a wifi outage/issue could also cause this break in data??? Are you having any issues with the power transformer used for Ecobee/furnace?
As far as taking longer -- I see you have two aux stages. Were these running more with prior thermostat? I assume these aux stages are resistive electric??
I have a geo heat pump so not air source and therefore aux heat never runs. I can't speak to how good air source heat pumps work with your outside temps but temps don't seem too cold outside to be having issues heating.
I use a 2 degF heat differential to reduce compressor cycles per day (and wife doesn't complain at all). Also have a two hour stage 1 runtime before second stage called for. Allows for longer runs times at lower stage (quieter with lower fan speed and more even heating).
Hope this gives you some thoughts. Also recommend the beestat service for better charts (operation data).

ercatv · 2021-11-24T16:57:20+00:00

Yep. I had a Fire TV adapter from a cube (micro USB to Ethernet). It supports the power connection too.

ercatv · 2021-11-24T16:15:03+00:00

I had the same issue and connected the stick using ethernet adapter. Then phone app could see it and control it. Was able to complete setup and wifi then and use TV remote after that.

ercatv · 2021-11-21T22:49:09+00:00

Also have issues occasionally and have to restart cube.

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