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JDCanuck
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Posts: 1162
Registered: 2-22-2020
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I suspect if you get the room temps down to a comfortable level during the hottest part of the day, maintaining them through the cooling evening after
6 pm should require far less load. As batteries tend to be the most expensive part of a solar system, I would undersize and add more in parallel later
if you find it inadequate. A/C does seem a natural fit to solar. Advantage to having solar installed is you can use it for emergency backup on grid
failures for refrigeration or communication.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Quote: Originally posted by lencho  |
Grid power only, rarely use air conditioning (I grew up in Phoenix & fans work great), gas water heater & stove, no other major appliances.
I'm surprised at Bajaboy's situation-- none of what he listed are major consumers, unless his "few other appliances" happen to include large motors or
resistence elements. Pressurized water system?
I had a housemate one time who used to follow me around turning off lights because our power bill was high. One day I showed him a comparison between
the impact of using the 5,000 watt electric clothes dryer compared to leaving all the lights and other appliances turned on (he stopped worrying about
the lights and suggested a clothesline).
One of those "Kill a Watt" plug-in power meters can be illuminating, showing up problems with inefficient refrigerators, for example.
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We used to pay about 1000 pesos per year in the past. We normally were here about 2-3 months each year. Our fridge was always on. Now our bill is
about 1700 pesos for two months.
I asked my neighbor last night and he said he pays about the same. We plan on getting solar in the future to help out. I wonder if prices change
based on location. I vaguely recall my buddy in Culiacan telling me they get a subsidy in summer for the heat. ?????
As I said previously, we have to work really hard to spend money. I'm not complaining about the cost of electricity but I do wonder how others can
afford it.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy |
We used to pay about 1000 pesos per year in the past. We normally were here about 2-3 months each year. Our fridge was always on. Now our bill is
about 1700 pesos for two months.
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Looks like you use to paid $4.00US a month and pay $40US a month now. Solar payback will be 6-10 years with lots of variables.
Inflation caught up with Pescadero years ago with restaurants charging California prices. Don't like it, don't eat out much anymore. Waiting
for the $4.00 taco.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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JDCanuck
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Posts: 1162
Registered: 2-22-2020
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It really is looking like the bottled gas (Propane or Butane) prices in Baja are going to be the killers in the near future. I would look at reducing
gas use rather than electricity costs at only 40USD per month for electricity. Solar hot water or dual element electric hot water with one element
powered by solar cells would be a good beginning. But as you are only there 2 months a year even that doesn't seem worthwhile.
[Edited on 2-14-2022 by JDCanuck]
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck | It really is looking like the bottled gas (Propane or Butane) prices in Baja are going to be the killers in the near future. I would look at reducing
gas use rather than electricity costs at only 40USD per month for electricity. Solar hot water or dual element electric hot water with one element
powered by solar cells would be a good beginning. But as you are only there 2 months a year even that doesn't seem worthwhile.
[Edited on 2-14-2022 by JDCanuck] |
We just bought a new propane tank. We buy the middle sized one. The price went from about 840 pesos to 925 pesos. It took about 7 months for us to
use it. We use our stove and oven often. So for us, propane is very inexpensive.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17335
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy | | Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck | It really is looking like the bottled gas (Propane or Butane) prices in Baja are going to be the killers in the near future. I would look at reducing
gas use rather than electricity costs at only 40USD per month for electricity. Solar hot water or dual element electric hot water with one element
powered by solar cells would be a good beginning. But as you are only there 2 months a year even that doesn't seem worthwhile.
[Edited on 2-14-2022 by JDCanuck] |
We just bought a new propane tank. We buy the middle sized one. The price went from about 840 pesos to 925 pesos. It took about 7 months for us to
use it. We use our stove and oven often. So for us, propane is very inexpensive. |
So you fuel cost have increased 10%, but it is no skin off your back,…
With core inflation running at 7%, some less affluent Mexicans may be losing skin off their backs, eh?
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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AKgringo
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Posts: 5818
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Not just in Baja!
In January, PG&E raised residential electric rates 8%, and gas 11%! This morning it was announced that electricity will go up another 9% on March
1st.
It won't affect me as much as most homes, because I heat with wood, and cool with fans. Shade trees and air flow management are part of the comfort
level scenario.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
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Location: Mexico
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Since Electricity so cheap I just got new bill today 2 months 8 bucks. I removed gas tankless water heater. That nobody that I know likes bought 10
gal elect water heater . Cost Ensenada 180.00 DL same water heater home depo. across border so cal 390.00 dl .
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1240
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider | | Since Electricity so cheap I just got new bill today 2 months 8 bucks. I removed gas tankless water heater. That nobody that I know likes bought 10
gal elect water heater . Cost Ensenada 180.00 DL same water heater home depo. across border so cal 390.00 dl . |
interesting Larry! I've been intrigued with Shari's lodge set up mounting small electric water heaters right in the bathrooms, does your latest bill
reflect the electric water heater? man I hate buying propane
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | In January, PG&E raised residential electric rates 8%, and gas 11%! This morning it was announced that electricity will go up another 9% on March
1st.
It won't affect me as much as most homes, because I heat with wood, and cool with fans. Shade trees and air flow management are part of the comfort
level scenario. |
Gas bill when from $84 to $300 from a year ago. Electric bill when up $140 ($380 to $520) compared to January last year with the same usage.
All the neighbors are crying about it on NextDoor (neighborhood social media).
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5818
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I qualify for PG&E's lowest rate, and I don't use much energy. My monthly bill for gas, and electricity, has rarely topped $50.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17335
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | In January, PG&E raised residential electric rates 8%, and gas 11%! This morning it was announced that electricity will go up another 9% on March
1st.
It won't affect me as much as most homes, because I heat with wood, and cool with fans. Shade trees and air flow management are part of the comfort
level scenario. |
Gas bill when from $84 to $300 from a year ago. Electric bill when up $140 ($380 to $520) compared to January last year with the same usage.
All the neighbors are crying about it on NextDoor (neighborhood social media).
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with solar, my SDG&E annual elec bill is about $100. i put in solar 7 years ago, figure i already paid off the cost and am now coasting on
almost "free" elec cost.
we run the AC whenever we feel like it, and have converted our water heating from gas to elec. waiting for the gas dryer to die before we convert
dryer to elec.
still got nat gas heat... not bad costwise, does not get too cold in san diego.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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JDCanuck
Super Nomad
Posts: 1162
Registered: 2-22-2020
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Based on what I am reading here, lets hope the Fed is correct in saying this is temporary and about to be fixed. Mexico is somehow resisting the high
inflation in energy and drinking water costs we are seeing north of the border.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy | | Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck | It really is looking like the bottled gas (Propane or Butane) prices in Baja are going to be the killers in the near future. I would look at reducing
gas use rather than electricity costs at only 40USD per month for electricity. Solar hot water or dual element electric hot water with one element
powered by solar cells would be a good beginning. But as you are only there 2 months a year even that doesn't seem worthwhile.
[Edited on 2-14-2022 by JDCanuck] |
We just bought a new propane tank. We buy the middle sized one. The price went from about 840 pesos to 925 pesos. It took about 7 months for us to
use it. We use our stove and oven often. So for us, propane is very inexpensive. |
So you fuel cost have increased 10%, but it is no skin off your back,…
With core inflation running at 7%, some less affluent Mexicans may be losing skin off their backs, eh?
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Most people I know in town can handle paying 85 more pesos over a 6 month period. 
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto | | Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider | | Since Electricity so cheap I just got new bill today 2 months 8 bucks. I removed gas tankless water heater. That nobody that I know likes bought 10
gal elect water heater . Cost Ensenada 180.00 DL same water heater home depo. across border so cal 390.00 dl . |
interesting Larry! I've been intrigued with Shari's lodge set up mounting small electric water heaters right in the bathrooms, does your latest bill
reflect the electric water heater? man I hate buying propane |
Most people in town have electric water heaters. We have two of them. Some people have them wired to be constantly on while others turn them on as
needed. It normally takes about 10 minutes to warm up.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
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I have on off switch in house for E water heater . turn on about 5pm eat dinner bath then wash dishes turn off. Yes new bill is one month e heater
one month old no good for nothing tankless heater. Im little worried they made mistake on my two month bill 168 pesos v old bill of 300 pesos.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by lencho |
Something you happened to neglect mentioning when you were detailing all those other low-consumption appliances. 
You're in great solar hot-water country; you might be surprised at the impact of shutting down your resistance-element water heaters.
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We have two showers hence two 5 gallon tanks. They are operated by flipping a switch when in use. I really doubt they would be the deal breaker.
Now I did forget to mention my brewing equipment, kegarator, and pellet bbq
A few neighbors have solar hot water but with mixed results.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Back in 2005 we had a couple summer months were our electric bill hit $2,000 USD in Sonora.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
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Location: Mexico
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The Point why go to Sonora in summer time? When all people live there go to Ensenada?
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JDCanuck
Super Nomad
Posts: 1162
Registered: 2-22-2020
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider | | I have on off switch in house for E water heater . turn on about 5pm eat dinner bath then wash dishes turn off. Yes new bill is one month e heater
one month old no good for nothing tankless heater. Im little worried they made mistake on my two month bill 168 pesos v old bill of 300 pesos.
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Electric heaters are troublesome with my house on full solar. Still trying to work out how to get sufficient hot water at night without running down
the batteries excessively. Going to try a timer so it only preheats when we have excess solar in the afternoon and maintain the temperature up with
following gas instantaneous heater at occasional higher load periods.
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