Cost of fuel...

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

There are two points I and others are making here:

1. That, on a thread about fuel costs, the answer isn't simply electric vehicles as there's much more to the equation than just fuel.

2. The "offhand" way people talk about buying EVs, solar, and other high-initial-cost systems that just isn't realistic for much/most of America.

I'd love a vehicle I don't have to put fuel in, but it would need to be overall cost effective, have a low initial buy-in, and be able to do what I need it to do beyond just driving.

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Agreed.

Keep in mind, that this forum isn’t average America

Many here have two homes (one on the lake).
Many have expensive boats.
Many have a home.
Many have multiple expensive cars.

So why do we keep bringing up folks that can’t afford Solar?

I think many are misinformed about Solar, incentives and EV’s.

And as you said there are other perks going with EV besides fuel.

One other thing I’d like to mention that is on topic.

Conserving:

Once I got Solar, I had them add a consumption meter as well.
That was a good move, albeit a bit over priced.

Once you could visually see what you produced and consumed it became a game.

What’s using all the power?

After digging around I found a lot of waste.
My high end active speakers were using 20 watts each on standby.

Do the math 9 speakers * 20 watts * 24 hrs * 365 days = 1.57 mega watts/year
That’s 20% of my entire Solar Production !!
I put a smart remote in that now powers them down when not used.

Also found a heater that runs 24/7 in my brand new “high efficiency” AC system.
It was like 80 watts. Now I flip the breaker off in Winter. I need to make sure I wait a few days after I turn breaker on before I run A/C.

That savings right there was enough to cover all my EV charging.

I found many more with diminishing returns. But I probably cut my electricity use in half.

Conservation on EV:

Don’t precondition. So many people think they save fuel because the car will run full regen in winter if they preheat the battery. It will cost more to heat the battery than regen will save.

Some say switch to scheduled charging in the morning. That wastes fuel too. Car will heat the battery before it charges. You are better off charging when you get home with a warm battery.

Don’t use auto precondition when navigating to supercharger. It will save time charging. But it will net cost you. I don’t care because supercharging is free. But it’s still a waste of fuel to save time.

Get an attached insulated garage. That’s yet another requirement for EV I’d recommend in snow country. Not required, but really really nice to have. Battery does not get as cold and you don’t need to use fuel to melt Ice and snow.

All cars:

Make sure your tire pressure is up. I tended to run a few pounds above door tag on my ICE cars. Especially in winter. I always did long drives at night so my tires never get that hot (and pressure to high). This can save a LOT on fuel. I don’t do that on EV’s. Why? because Elon already knows that trick and they run the tires on the high side. Tires still lasted great.

Keep your distance with cars in front of you so you can coast to slower your speed rather than use brakes. Every time you hit the brakes you’re wasting fuel. It’s also safer and more relaxing. One thing I don’t like about Auto Pilot is it follows to close.

You don’t need to warm up ICE, just suck it up, get in and go. Doable with a garage.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

Agreed.

Keep in mind, that this forum isn’t average America

Many here have two homes (one on the lake).
Many have expensive boats.
Many have a home.
Many have multiple expensive cars.

So why do we keep bringing up folks that can’t afford Solar?

I don't know the statistics, but I know enough people behind the scenes that are not as well off as you might assume and, even if they have second homes, toys, etc., they may do so much less expensively.

So, I bring up initial investment costs because having that amount of available money just isn't as common as it once was...especially if one wants to enjoy those cars, toys, etc....which in turn limits how quickly green options become mainstream...

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[Juiced06GTO]

People clearly do not have a lot of savings - this is just transactional account data, not retirement accounts. The average American is not paying up front to add solar to their house, or buying $96k Tesla's. Those that are doing that are taking on debt to make it happen.

Average savings by age (per 2019 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances) - the article I pulled this from - https://www.firstrepublic.com/articl...ricans-savings

Younger than 35
Median - $3,240 Mean - $11,250
35 to 44
Median - $4,710 Mean - $27,910
45 to 54
Median - $5,620 Mean - $48,200
55 to 64
Median - $6,400 Mean - $55,320
65 to 74
Median - $8,000 Mean - $57,670
75 and older
Median - $9,300 Mean - $60,410

[John Mercier]

I think the costs will come down and be comparable over time.
Solar will fill whatever space it can in the diversified supply of electricity... but I really see it jumping when green hydrogen becomes the norm. Amory was on cars when Elon was just learning to use the big boy potty... and even back then he was strong on hydrogen; just the technology was more blue hydrogen being looked at.

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I don't know the statistics, but I know enough people behind the scenes that are not as well off as you might assume and, even if they have second homes, toys, etc., they may do so much less expensively.

So, I bring up initial investment costs because having that amount of available money just isn't as common as it once was...especially if one wants to enjoy those cars, toys, etc....which in turn limits how quickly green options become mainstream...

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Stop assuming you need to be rich to do Solar.
All your doing is convincing folks it’s out of reach.

You DO NOT need all cash up front. But that will give the best ROI.

Some lease deals go something like this. They lock you in at a lower electric rate. They upgrade your service for free. All repairs are free for 20 years. If system does not produce (broken or snow covered) they pay your electric bill. You pay nothing out of pocket. And system is yours free and clear after 20 years. Even folks that do have the cash go that route because they rather invest that cash.

Enough about being too poor for Solar. Too naive maybe.

It’s a no brainer.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

Stop assuming you need to be rich to do Solar.
All your doing is convincing folks it’s out of reach.

You DO NOT need all cash up front. But that will give the best ROI.

Some lease deals go something like this. They lock you in at a lower electric rate. They upgrade your service for free. All repairs are free for 20 years. If system does not produce (broken or snow covered) they pay your electric bill. You pay nothing out of pocket. And system is yours free and clear after 20 years. Even folks that do have the cash go that route because they rather invest that cash.

Enough about being too poor for Solar. Too naive maybe.

It’s a no brainer.

The resident solar guy himself said that leasing is not an awesome idea (#80), and I've had friends who got porked by roof issues that "weren't covered" and resale issues when putting their houses on the market. Add to that a much different ROI calculation, and blech.

I've done the math to have solar installed twice, with two different installers, and the money I would've had to front—or take loans on—would have prohibited other things in my life. I think that's the simple reality for most people in America and that, frankly, you're out of touch.

It takes money to save money!

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[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

The resident solar guy himself said that leasing is not an awesome idea (#80), and I've had friends who got porked by roof issues that "weren't covered" and resale issues when putting their houses on the market. Add to that a much different ROI calculation, and blech.

I've done the math to have solar installed twice, with two different installers, and the money I would've had to front—or take loans on—would have prohibited other things in my life. I think that's the simple reality for most people in America and that, frankly, you're out of touch.

It takes money to save money!

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I have friends that leased and it worked out great for them

Your right about tricky selling your home with roof leased out. There are ways of dealing with that. Oh many companies will put in a new roof too.

All methods save money. Like anything, you need to stay on top of things and not sit back and let the “professionals” run the show. That goes for purchased or leased.

You can also do a loan. That’s right poor people have bad credit.
With a loan. You own it. You get tax break. You get all incentives like SRECs in MA.

With a loan. What you used to pay in electricity you pay towards the loan. So initially you save nothing. But as time goes on it pays back. Especially if electric rates go up.

https://www.consumerreports.org/ener...-solar-panels/

Great, you talked yourself out of it. I don’t know anyone that is unhappy with going with Solar by any means.

Is anyone here unhappy they got Solar?

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

The resident solar guy himself said that leasing is not an awesome idea (#80), and I've had friends who got porked by roof issues that "weren't covered" and resale issues when putting their houses on the market. Add to that a much different ROI calculation, and blech.

I've done the math to have solar installed twice, with two different installers, and the money I would've had to front—or take loans on—would have prohibited other things in my life. I think that's the simple reality for most people in America and that, frankly, you're out of touch.

It takes money to save money!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I was skeptical about solar but it made sense for me. I ended up with no money down, a state and federal refund (I was able to spread the federal over two years), 10 years of SREC credits that provide a quarterly check, a below market rate loan, and net metering. The loan program I qualified for wrote off 25% of the cost of the install the day the system went live (but I could still deduct 100% of the cost on my taxes). Since having it installed my electric bill is nothing for 9 months of the year and the three months I do pay are lower than what they were before the panels. The monthly electric bill coupled with the SREC checks offsets the loan. I would have liked to make the system bigger as I had the space, but if I had, I would not have been eligible for the 25% write off and favorable loan rate.

I found out about this program (I am in MA) through a friend who is a green energy consultant. Once I connected with an installer who also knew about the program, things went smoothly.

I don't believe this specific program is still around, but do agree that there are affordable ways to go solar for many people (but of course not everyone).

[John Mercier]

I believe that MA did a lot more toward solar - renewable in general - than NH did.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I believe that MA did a lot more toward solar - renewable in general - than NH did.

When I put mine in I was told that MA was #2 in the nation for clean energy incentives. This was a few years ago - I don't know how accurate that was then or now.

[Juiced06GTO]

Most of the sweet heart deals are going by the wayside in Mass. if not already expired, my guess is because all that "free" stuff that went along with the programs got to expensive to sustain. The new SREC program is nowhere near as lucrative as the previous one, the quote I showed above shows "potential" payouts by the program.

That being said, it can work for some people. Once I can get National Grid off their arse, and my new service into my barn, I will be strongly considering adding it to the roof to help offset some of my electrical usage. I will be doing quite a bit of electrical intensive activities in there (welding/plasma cutting/air compressor) and am hoping this will help offset some of the increase in my expected electrical usage at the expense of outlaying the 40 grand up front...

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I've done the math to have solar installed twice, with two different installers, and the money I would've had to front—or take loans on—would have prohibited other things in my life. I think that's the simple reality for most people in America and that, frankly, you're out of touch.

It takes money to save money!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I don't know your roof or your financial situation (although you have found cash for awesome stuff such as a camp and a fleet of watercraft), so I can't tell you that solar would be a good investment for you...

But for many people with a sunny roof, the annual financial return on solar is >15%, and home equity loans are available for much less than that. In this context, a solar roof is the best investment that a "normal" person can make--much better than the expected returns on stocks, real estate, etc. That's not to say that there have not been years better than 15% for stocks and real estate, only that the average annual return is much less and the risk is much higher on these other things. The right comparison is not against a boat or other fun toy, it is against retirement savings, such as a 401K.

(Please do not tell me I am out of touch to suggest you bet your retirement. I am not suggesting that, only that you might think of this as part of a portfolio of investments. It's a high yield bond with relatively low risk.)

[LakeDad]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I don't know your roof or your financial situation (although you have found cash for awesome stuff such as a camp and a fleet of watercraft), so I can't tell you that solar would be a good investment for you...

But for many people with a sunny roof, the annual financial return on solar is >15%, and home equity loans are available for much less than that. In this context, a solar roof is the best investment that a "normal" person can make--much better than the expected returns on stocks, real estate, etc. That's not to say that there have not been years better than 15% for stocks and real estate, only that the average annual return is much less and the risk is much higher on these other things. The right comparison is not against a boat or other fun toy, it is against retirement savings, such as a 401K.

(Please do not tell me I am out of touch to suggest you bet your retirement. I am not suggesting that, only that you might think of this as part of a portfolio of investments. It's a high yield bond with relatively low risk.)

My problem is lack of house commitment.
I buy one, make careful upgrades that are likely to yield a return (or at least not a loss), find another home, and do it again.

My longest ownership ever was 4 years. I’ve owned 4 homes since 2014.

It’s always “the one” until it isn’t.

Because of that, it would make no sense to install solar under any circumstances, unless I was stone cold settled on staying for 20 years. Of course, as soon as I make that commitment, I’ll see another house the next day

I’m not complaining: It’s been financially favorable, but we always joke about never going too far with upgrades.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by LakeDad

My problem is lack of house commitment.
I buy one, make careful upgrades that are likely to yield a return (or at least not a loss), find another home, and do it again.

My longest ownership ever was 4 years. I’ve owned 4 homes since 2014.

It’s always “the one” until it isn’t.

Because of that, it would make no sense to install solar under any circumstances, unless I was stone cold settled on staying for 20 years. Of course, as soon as I make that commitment, I’ll see another house the next day

I’m not complaining: It’s been financially favorable, but we always joke about never going too far with upgrades.

Be careful. Sounds like a lot of eggs in one basket. Another 2008 will come again and the eggs will all break at the same time.

[LakeDad]

Originally Posted by Descant

Be careful. Sounds like a lot of eggs in one basket. Another 2008 will come again and the eggs will all break at the same time.

I’m fine, thank you.
I just happen to change houses a lot.
It’s not an investment strategy. I have other holdings.

The nerve of people

I’m well aware of 2008 and weathered it.

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by LakeDad

My problem is lack of house commitment.
I buy one, make careful upgrades that are likely to yield a return (or at least not a loss), find another home, and do it again.

My longest ownership ever was 4 years. I’ve owned 4 homes since 2014.

It’s always “the one” until it isn’t.

Because of that, it would make no sense to install solar under any circumstances, unless I was stone cold settled on staying for 20 years. Of course, as soon as I make that commitment, I’ll see another house the next day

I’m not complaining: It’s been financially favorable, but we always joke about never going too far with upgrades.

On average, houses will sell better with Solar.
It’s like any other investment in your home.

They ask for utility bills, right?
Buyer sees $0.00, you think theirs eyes would light up!

It’s hard to go wrong with Solar.
Folks here seem to try real hard to find reasons to give power companies their money.

[LakeDad]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

On average, houses will sell better with Solar.
It’s like any other investment in your home.

They ask for utility bills, right?
Buyer sees $0.00, you think theirs eyes would light up!

It’s hard to go wrong with Solar.
Folks here seem to try real hard to find reasons to give power companies their money.

Who cares if it sells for more, but you still lose $ in the sale overall? Do you sell solar?

Should you do an $80k upgrade to get $50k more sale price?

Installing solar in a short term own would not work out well for anyone other than a solar salesman.

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by LakeDad

Who cares if it sells for more, but you still lose $ in the sale overall? Do you sell solar?

Should you do an $80k upgrade to get $50k more sale price?

Installing solar in a short term own would not work out well for anyone other than a solar salesman.

Right now, I bet people that paid $20K will get $40K
Or with the housing market likely to crash soon, Solar could be the edge that makes your house sell and your neighbors not.

Must be fun moving every 4 years.

I don’t make my home my profit center.

[webmaster]

The topic of this thread is "what effect high fuel costs will have on boating this summer."

Please stop hijacking threads. Stay with the topic or don't post.

[Garcia]

My boat will be launched in late April - I'm excited to be back on the water and opening up the house regardless of the price of fuel!

I don't think fuel prices will have much impact on boating in the short term. If prices stay high I think any impact will show up in 2023.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Garcia

My boat will be launched in late April - I'm excited to be back on the water and opening up the house regardless of the price of fuel!

I don't think fuel prices will have much impact on boating in the short term. If prices stay high I think any impact will show up in 2023.

I expect that most will be.
High fuel, or any other item, tends to only change our behavior at the fringe.

If the prices went ballistic, well, I think that would be different.
It would impact the economy so badly that politicians would need to pull out all the stops. Something that I think we have not seen in my adult lifetime.

[Juiced06GTO]

Sorry for contributing to the off topic mess...

That being said, oil slid today, so it is anyone's guess at this point what the summer prices will look like! I trailer my boat, so will make sure to be filling on land, the week we stay at Winni, we have lots of friends with us who are overly generous with helping fuel the boat for the week we are there adventuring. All together it is still way cheaper than a week at someplace like disney, and in my opinion, way more fun! See you guys on the lake!

[MAXUM]

Hopefully it doesn't get any worse than this..... then again we out here are a little on the expensive side - cheapo ethanol laced gas is about 10 cents cheaper per gallon. I steer clear of that crap though. Love this stuff is everywhere and my vehicles love it. So will my boat which may get splashed this weekend. Hopefully nobody pays attention to my expired 2021 NH reg on it.

[Juiced06GTO]

Maxum did you move off the lake?

The guys in the hot rod world love E85 if you can set the EFI up the right way with larger fuel pump, injectors, etc., it makes lots o power! I never bothered with my race car because E85 is tough to find out here.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Juiced06GTO

Maxum did you move off the lake?

The guys in the hot rod world love E85 if you can set the EFI up the right way with larger fuel pump, injectors, etc., it makes lots o power! I never bothered with my race car because E85 is tough to find out here.

I didn't just move off the lake, I moved to Idaho. For sure the hardest thing was to part ways with was my place on Bear Island. Thing is as I was weighing a lot of things, the property taxes in NH are just plain stupid and long term planning for retirement was looking bleak at the prospects of being able to hang on to two properties in NH as the amount of the checks I was stroking for taxes alone was getting to be insane now never mind 10 or 30 years from now.

No worries I'll be back to visit.

[John Mercier]

They estimate that your investment portfolio must be about 7.5 times the value of your home(s) to maintain your standard of living.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/th...41.4%20million.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I didn't just move off the lake, I moved to Idaho. For sure the hardest thing was to part ways with was my place on Bear Island. Thing is as I was weighing a lot of things, the property taxes in NH are just plain stupid and long term planning for retirement was looking bleak at the prospects of being able to hang on to two properties in NH as the amount of the checks I was stroking for taxes alone was getting to be insane now never mind 10 or 30 years from now.

No worries I'll be back to visit.

I've been to Kuna. I was stationed at Mountain Home AFB in the 1972-74. There was an exit off the interstate that said "Kuna" that we passed by the times. We took the exit one time and it was not much more than a cross road. It sure has grown.

Enjoy your time out there. We spent a lot of time camping around Anderson Ranch Dam and up toward the Trinity Lake area.

Back to the subject at hand.

Dave

[mswlogo]

“cost of fuel” last I looked.

[LakeDad]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

Right now, I bet people that paid $20K will get $40K
Or with the housing market likely to crash soon, Solar could be the edge that makes your house sell and your neighbors not.

Must be fun moving every 4 years.

I don’t make my home my profit center.

“Must be fun moving every 4 years.”

How about minding your own business?

People like you, making judgement with little to no information. It says a lot more about you than it does me. You have no idea why I moved a lot, do you?

You’re just another salesman who thinks everyone should be your customer.

“Everyone needs solar”. Ok, buddy.

I don’t care what you do or don’t do with your home.
See how that works? Got nothing useful to interact with? Move on.

Edit: “Ignore” feature activated.

[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by LakeDad

“Must be fun moving every 4 years.”

How about minding your own business?

People like you, making judgement with little to no information. It says a lot more about you than it does me. You have no idea why I moved a lot, do you?

You’re just another salesman who thinks everyone should be your customer.

“Everyone needs solar”. Ok, buddy.

I don’t care what you do or don’t do with your home.
See how that works? Got nothing useful to interact with? Move on.

Edit: “Ignore” feature activated.

Warden said… Stay on topic.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I don't know your roof or your financial situation (although you have found cash for awesome stuff such as a camp and a fleet of watercraft), so I can't tell you that solar would be a good investment for you...

But for many people with a sunny roof, the annual financial return on solar is >15%, and home equity loans are available for much less than that. In this context, a solar roof is the best investment that a "normal" person can make--much better than the expected returns on stocks, real estate, etc. That's not to say that there have not been years better than 15% for stocks and real estate, only that the average annual return is much less and the risk is much higher on these other things. The right comparison is not against a boat or other fun toy, it is against retirement savings, such as a 401K.

(Please do not tell me I am out of touch to suggest you bet your retirement. I am not suggesting that, only that you might think of this as part of a portfolio of investments. It's a high yield bond with relatively low risk.)

It's an equation with many variables, among which is the cost now vs. the cost over 30 years.

Other variables—for us—were roof age, roof orientation and tree cover questions, town tax codes (my town was, until recently, increasing home values with solar so there was an increase in taxes), initial investment costs, etc.

It's been a couple years, but when we'd looked we had heard too many horror stories about leasing and the other variables just didn't add up.

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[John Mercier]

Afford and ''waste'' are two different items.

People always tell me that saving more, when I will never need it, is stupid... but it is the way that I and others work.
We don't see depreciating assets as value, except for the monetary equation.

Solar, at least what I have been told, is based on location and system sizing for the most part. My location allows for some... but the biggest effect would be if I used more electricity, or if I wanted to replace domestic water heating.

The domestic water heating will be more of my focus as I redesign my raised beds.