how can i power my house without access to mains elec??

alfie_1

btw is there a cold storage room in the house - a cellar or similar, where you could put the freezer? This house wasn't built to have a fridge, so there will very likely be a larder / cold storage room or cupboard somewhere.

even though i have grounds with this house ,it has a type of walled yard on the back with two out houses and i do have what was a cold store type outhouse. the floor is about 2ft below ground level and doesnt get the sun on it, only very early morning. maybe good for a small freezer ??

re the shower. i have mains gas [ still got all the old gas lamps but cant use them as cant be tested, thus disconnected at mains] and its a combi boiler so only heats water when needed. as said shower takes little power...
i think i may be ok if i maybe change tack and produce cheaper fuel for the genny ??? i have 2 x backup portable petrol genny's 2.5 kv and 3 k.v.
i learnt to do a full service on the genny to save nearly £200 the shop wanted. i change oil regular and filters monthly. [good job im not a prissy female when i end up black from doing this:rotfl:]

im gratefull for all your advice/help....
i love this house and try to keep it as old fashioned as poss.

ailuro2

Ah, I didn't realise you had gas...


It's all fine being clever and doing your own servicing, but there's no shame in wearing a pair of latex gloves to do it - it saves getting your hands so dirty.

alfie_1

ailuro2 wrote: »

Ah, I didn't realise you had gas...


It's all fine being clever and doing your own servicing, but there's no shame in wearing a pair of latex gloves to do it - it saves getting your hands so dirty.

if only it was my hands ! i do wear gloves but i end up with smears on face and clothes !....all washes off

Owain_Moneysaver

You should be able to run a freezer off an appropriate inverter (although you need a generous allowance for starting current - up to 10x to start a compressor).

Gas lighting - Sugg still make gas lights (usually for exterior display in historic locations) but might be able to suggest contemporary interior gas lights. However 24V DC lights would probably be better and safer.

Running a generator off mains gas might be an option, unlikely to be cheap in running costs, but avoids the need for fuel tanks.

This site (about half way down) has details of one person using an inverter on a barge.

Owain_Moneysaver

alfie_1 wrote: »

p.s. iv been quoted a minimum £ 26,000 to be put "on line" !!

If that was a quote from the local network operator (DNO) then you need to be aware that some of the work is 'contestable' i.e. can be done by other contractors.

So you do not necessarily need to pay DNO rates for poling, trenching, etc.

Another way of looking at it - if you're living in the house for 26 more years, it'll cost £1000 a year

alfie_1

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

If that was a quote from the local network operator (DNO) then you need to be aware that some of the work is 'contestable' i.e. can be done by other contractors.

So you do not necessarily need to pay DNO rates for poling, trenching, etc.

Another way of looking at it - if you're living in the house for 26 more years, it'll cost £1000 a year

i have permission to pole across the neighbouring field from the nearest elec source. alas national park have told me they do not want overhead cable work.
to go underground it has to cross 2/3 roads dependant on route.
iv been told "highways " must do the road work and that is the expensive bit!
ditches along the road side make it difficult to lay cables too..
im stuck on whats like an island..... no wonder it was never connected years ago !!
the gas main luckily just goes from a to b down the road so im just a spur off.
i will look into the poss of gas lights tho...thankyou

lawrie28

The cold room may not be suitable for a freezer. Some freezers (and fridges) have a external thermometer that will cut the cooling system if the ambient temperature is too low. So if it gets very cold in the outhouse, it could make the freezer turn off.

I agree with the woodstove idea.

It is a shame you don't have a stream nearby for some kind of waterwheel generation. Do you have anywhere to put a wind turbine?

And can you look at using an alternative fuel type for the generator? Would it work on say Biodiesel/old cooking oil etc? Or could you look at a gas generator instead?

If you can't put solar on your roof, can you put them on the outhouse roof?

Failing that, hook a generator up to your excercise bike......

savemoney

I remember years ago you could get a boiler than was powered by gas to convert to electric it was on working lunch, it fitted into a kitchen cabinet

savemoney

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/1632835.stm

Mankysteve

alfie_1 wrote: »

grade 2 listed 1882 detached house
3 sides tall big trees ...north, east, southish.
field to the southish up to the north west, wind from the solent fairly/very strong.
no natural water but lots of bogs in the woods.
national park status .... so your guess is as good as mine as to what they will allow !!

i have at the moment a 6.5 kv generator which does the job fine but is VERY expensive to run at the moment and i really want to supliment this.

National park are not necessary against wind turbines and the such and will consider each application on merit.

same with being a grade two listed they may allow things such as solar panels.

Take a look at the navitron forum some very knowledgeable people on there.