Daydream thread continues.....

Alexelisey

rozeepozee wrote: »

What concerns me about GSHP, ASHP, solar etc is the need for electricity. In my apocalyptic worst case scenario, what do we do when there are regular power cuts? Hopefully, it won't come to that How prepared can one be? Has anyone looked at some of the Prepper sites in the US? They can get me, a worrier, all a fluster. I think we'll be looking at an adaptable system. Some Solar, perhaps a GSHP, a woodburner and major insulation. All very expensive....

When we do ours, we want to have a combination of PV panels, wind turbine and, if situation allows, micro-hydro turbine. I actually want a water wheel, but DH says they're not efficient enough And maybe wood burners too, either just for heating or hot water as well. Mains electricity is nice but I'd rather be more self-reliant. I don't remember the blackouts of the 70s very well because I was born in '71, but I always knew where the candles and a box of matches were. We had mains gas too, so we'd at least have heat - just not much light.

In these modern days though, I wouldn't be too happy about losing power to my pc :rotfl:

COOLTRIKERCHICK

We havent got gas, but I thought you needed electricity for the pump with gas?

I can remember the black outs in the 70's ( well flash backs..lol)

I personally think, things like the black-outs the bread shortages in the 70's/80's? etc really do make you think, and not to take things for granted...and not to become too complaceant.

Hubby hates these darker nights ( will be even worse after saturday when the clocks go back:eek:)as he cant get one with anything up on the ranch...

Hubby was going to take a week off work to get some ground work done around the actual house etc, but one member of staff has left, and another one is off sick...( long story) so we have had to put that on hold now...

on the plus side, my nylons are selling well ( well I mean not mega money, but they are selling which all adds up), so will try and list a few more today:D

lostinrates

Alexelisey wrote: »

When we do ours, we want to have a combination of PV panels, wind turbine and, if situation allows, micro-hydro turbine. I actually want a water wheel, but DH says they're not efficient enough And maybe wood burners too, either just for heating or hot water as well. Mains electricity is nice but I'd rather be more self-reliant. I don't remember the blackouts of the 70s very well because I was born in '71, but I always knew where the candles and a box of matches were. We had mains gas too, so we'd at least have heat - just not much light.

In these modern days though, I wouldn't be too happy about losing power to my pc :rotfl:

Our architect did a lot of research into wind (we live in a good position for wind power) and it was really felt the smaller 'domestic' units were not all they promised to be.

I would really like to see the results of these in practise because the possibilities seem so good, so clean, so positive.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Just seen this on a facebook page, homestading..

looks loe a good idea, especially as there are loads of abandoned trampolines in people's gardens:D

rhiwfield

Alexelisey wrote: »

When we do ours, we want to have a combination of PV panels, wind turbine and, if situation allows, micro-hydro turbine. I actually want a water wheel, but DH says they're not efficient enough And maybe wood burners too, either just for heating or hot water as well. Mains electricity is nice but I'd rather be more self-reliant. I don't remember the blackouts of the 70s very well because I was born in '71, but I always knew where the candles and a box of matches were. We had mains gas too, so we'd at least have heat - just not much light.

In these modern days though, I wouldn't be too happy about losing power to my pc :rotfl:

Alex, I well remember the blackouts, rubbish not being collected, 3 day weeks and even bodies not being buried. But just about everyone managed at the time. Nowadays its very unusual for a power out (normally caused by adverse weather) to affect people for more than a few hours unless you are in a remote location.

But with more weather extremes forecast, having a form of heating that doesnt rely on electricity in the mix is becoming more desirable, so a woodburner is great for that and for cooking too. For communication a solar powered charger for laptops/mobiles might be a good back up.

Davesnave

rhiwfield wrote: »

Alex, I well remember the blackouts, rubbish not being collected, 3 day weeks and even bodies not being buried.

I once wrote/produced a kids historical musical and put all that into the 70s section, complete with 'Abba' singing "Money, Money, Money" and throwing fake fivers into the audience....

Didn't half get it in the neck from a few parents who were left of centre! *:rotfl:

As I recall, the real thing wasn't a heap of fun, causing me some extreme difficulties with teaching practice, and later, some tricky hours at the factory I worked in.

*Edit: Not one person complained about the incredibly risque George Formby song though!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Being realistic, I think it is a good idea to think of alternative energy/heating sources.

for us its the prices that are driving us mainly..

same as food....

Its all about improvising, and seeing what can be adapted, ( things in general)

I just wish my grandparents where around today, as they were brilliant for this type of thing, and it was suprising what my grandfather had in his shed, never threw anything out, even odd bits of wood. table legs, even my grans tights and stockings, nothing kinky...lol... used to use them to store his onions and used them to tie his tomatoes to the canes same with old shoes laces etc

lostinrates

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Just seen this on a facebook page, homestading..

looks loe a good idea, especially as there are loads of abandoned trampolines in people's gardens:D

It looks amazing, but don"t big trampolines take off in strong winds?

rozeepozee

Alexelisey wrote: »

When we do ours, we want to have a combination of PV panels, wind turbine and, if situation allows, micro-hydro turbine. I actually want a water wheel, but DH says they're not efficient enough And maybe wood burners too, either just for heating or hot water as well. Mains electricity is nice but I'd rather be more self-reliant. I don't remember the blackouts of the 70s very well because I was born in '71, but I always knew where the candles and a box of matches were. We had mains gas too, so we'd at least have heat - just not much light.

In these modern days though, I wouldn't be too happy about losing power to my pc :rotfl:

We are on a hill and there are a couple of wind turbines nearby so I think wind power would be feasible for us. I've been told the capital outlay would be somewhere about £80K though. According to one of our friends who is a Green Deal advisor, you'd more than get this money back over the long term, but I'm afraid we don't have a spare 80 grand....

We have a stream but i don't think the drop is sufficient to generate energy unless it was dammed somewhere. I don't think that would do down well with the neighbours as the houses below us get flooded sometimes and there were recent quite bad floods near us in Cardigan town and the surrounds if you guys saw the news.

rozeepozee

lostinrates wrote: »

It looks amazing, but don"t big trampolines take off in strong winds?

Oh wow! We've just bought a trampoline for the kids but I shall now be looking for disused ones....