How Do You Power Your Homestead?

[SS Project Manager]

The easiest way for most homeowners to reduce their utility bills is by cutting back on energy consumption through self-discipline and increased efficiency.

So we're interested to find out: How Do You Power Your Homestead?

Place your vote above - if you select "Other" please indicate in the comments section your power source.

 

[baymule]

Who needs ice? I take the short cut and sit in the freezer.

 

[CrealCritter]

This thread reminded me... So I picked up my wife's wood stove out of the barn at her mom's. It has been sitting there for about 10 years. I loaded it in the back of my truck with her father's engine hoist. I took it to my neighbor John and he welded on it a little and brought it over with his tractor and we set it in "the Man Cave" my wife came home and saw it and she was happy happy happy... I need to get new fire brick for the inside and it needs to be de-rusted, painted and hooked up. But at least it's here now and safe to use, thanks to my neighbor. It's a Fisher Papa Bear make and model and heavy about 486 lbs. Supposed to heat up to 2250 Sqft home. Which is about right we used it to heat our 2500 sqft home in NC with 10 foot ceilings down stairs and 9 foot ceilings upstairs and it would run you out of the house. It will do fine in "the Man Cave" here in southern IL with small fires.

More info on Fisher "Bear" Series wood stoves. --->https://www.firewood-for-life.com/fisher-wood-stove.html

 

[farmerjan]

The house I just bought is oil furnace with baseboard hot water heat. Hasn't been run in 7 + years, so waiting on getting the tank reset on the blocks so I can get oil delivered and the furnace checked and all. I am looking at an outside wood furnace which will work perfectly with the baseboard hot water heat....they are expensive, and the model I am looking at is said to be the best by 2 friends that have it compared to other types....But he said that the payback is about 5-8 years and then.... there is PLENTY of wood available here and with us always cutting trees around hayfields and all.... plus I can get on a "drop list" for a tree trimming company... they are always looking for places to dump wood that is taken down when they are in a certain area... and also for chips when they are chipping stuff.... and my ds works for the DOT so there are always ways to get wood from trees down... with the ash trees dying from the infestation of the emerald ash borer, they are talking of having to start next year of removing trees that are in danger of falling into roadways and such. Ash burns good and splits well.....
My stove will be propane as I hate electric stoves. There is an outlet for an electric dryer, but I have a propane one that has been in storage for 20 years. I use the clothesline and prefer it. The current hot water is electric.... The electric company has an incentive to add solar panels so that will be something to look into next year when I get some trees and scrub brush and HUGE way overgrown boxwoods taken down. I will only put panels if they can go on the roof of a building... not wanting them using up lawn space.
Also considering a hybrid wind system to add because this ridge has a nearly constant breeze blowing here. Need to see what I have to do to check out the feasibility of it. I would give my eye teeth to be where I could have hydro/water power.... but no stream/creek here.
After I am into this house will have a better idea of what it costs for the electric monthly, and then will be able to make better decisions as to what needs to be upgraded first...

 

[wyoDreamer]

LED lights save a lot of money. WE added a wood-pellet insert to our big drafty granite fireplace in the family room when we bought the place. It really helps to make the place cozy warm. It will run off battery if we need to.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I appreciate a good-natured exchange of ideas. We can give each other encouragement and share what does and does not work well for us. If folks don't want to participate they are certainly not forced to, but discouragement and negativity certainly isn't needed here.

Oh - I'm on the grid and have a generator for back-up. We keep a bit of gasoline to run said generator. Do I worry about divulging such private personal information - nope. I refuse to live a life based in fear and paranoia!

 

[wyoDreamer]

Our german shepherd prefers to sleep in the shower stall ...

 

[Mini Horses]

Watch consumption. Close off upstairs unless someone here to visit. Use propane heater downstairs, vice central unit. Good insulation and multi paned, gasvfilled windows at build. Solar heat gain or restriction (seasonal) with shades on windows. Also cut water heater off/on by breaker for an every other day reheat. All insulated so stays hot just fine! I've even gone 2 days off & 1/2 day on with good results. It saves a lot.

 

[flowerbug]

uh, it's on topic for the site and purely voluntary.

if you're that wound up into paranoia and suspicion i'm sure you can simply not answer the question at all...

 

[Finnie]

Here's a question: Why do you want to know these things, Project Manager?

It’s the business model to have active conversation and participation, which draws in advertising clients. Starting topics which may be of interest to members here is one way to encourage that activity. Isn’t the whole point of being a member of boards like this to chat and share information? Get to know each other, compare notes?

As @flowerbug said, no one has to post anything personal on the internet that they don’t want to divulge.