Solar Pontoons and Appliance Life Span
Hydroponic Solar Panels I guess they are calling it Floatovoltaics, solar panels that are set on pontoons floating on a pond.
And not just one or two panels on a pond your hubby dug in the back yard, but 1000's of solar panels producing 400 kilowatts of power.
The sea of panels was installed about two years ago at a winery in California's famous wine country.
The floating solar array supplies all of the winery's electrical needs and then some.
The access energy is donated back into the grid with a net metering agreement with the power provider.
So, what about floating solar panels on a pond, let's look at some of the advantages.
1.
By putting the solar array on an existing pond, the precious land was preserved for growing grapes.
2.
The pond is a natural for keeping the panels cooler than on land.
Cool panels produce more juice.
3.
The ponds needed less treatments for algae 4.
Panels covering the pond reduced evaporation and conserved water.
Now, let's take a sinking look at a couple disadvantages of floating solar panels.
1.
A boat is needed to complete routine maintenance.
2.
Water skiing is seriously restricted.
All considered, this solar project is a win-win.
It has worked out better than the winery imagined.
What is the Life Expectancy of an Appliance Purchased since the Year 2007? As with most things involving big business or the government, a study was funded to determine what we pretty well know already.
In this case, the study was to determine how long we can expect some popular appliances to last if they were produced in 2007 or later.
In reading the findings, we need to keep in mind that for new appliances today, technology has changed some in just the last three years.
As far as life span goes, advancing technology may be good or bad.
Thankfully, a number of major appliances can be expected to have a lifespan of a decade or more.
Sadly, none of the appliances match up to the refrigerator in my old family farm house that lasted 55 years.
As I remember, the handle fell off, but the inner workings were never serviced or repaired.
Appliances: * Dishwasher: 9 years - I wonder if this includes the rubberized coating on the racks? * Microwave Oven: 9 years - this is a really good microwave in my opinion.
* Electric Range: 13 years * Gas Range:15 years - interesting that the gas range is expected to last longer than electric.
* Range/Oven Hoods: 14 years - clean those filters if you are going to reach 14 years.
* Compact Refrigerator: 9 years * Standard Refrigerator: 13 years - I guess the standard refrigerator is made better than the compact.
* Freezer: 11 years * Washer: 10 years - I would think this really depends on the size of the family and the size of the farmers coveralls.
* Electric Dryer: 11 years - here again, clean those dryer ducts to reduce drying time.
* Furnaces: 15 to 20 years - I love this, 15 to 20 years, why not just say 17.
5 years.
* Tankless Water Heater: 20+ years - How many daughters do you have? * Electric Water Heater: 11 years - most water heaters have a 6 year warranty you'll never use.
* Gas Water Heater: 10 years Now, plan ahead a little concerning your appliances and the expected replacement date.
Perhaps it's not too soon to start looking at different models and efficiency ratings.
Research efficiency ratings by visiting the Energy Star dot gov.
web site.
As far as cost effective replacement goes, it's almost always cheaper to maintain or repair an appliance than to replace it, even if the new appliance has a higher energy efficiency rating.
Thanks again for stopping by, come back soon, but I won't leave the refrigerator door open for you...
Don Ames
And not just one or two panels on a pond your hubby dug in the back yard, but 1000's of solar panels producing 400 kilowatts of power.
The sea of panels was installed about two years ago at a winery in California's famous wine country.
The floating solar array supplies all of the winery's electrical needs and then some.
The access energy is donated back into the grid with a net metering agreement with the power provider.
So, what about floating solar panels on a pond, let's look at some of the advantages.
1.
By putting the solar array on an existing pond, the precious land was preserved for growing grapes.
2.
The pond is a natural for keeping the panels cooler than on land.
Cool panels produce more juice.
3.
The ponds needed less treatments for algae 4.
Panels covering the pond reduced evaporation and conserved water.
Now, let's take a sinking look at a couple disadvantages of floating solar panels.
1.
A boat is needed to complete routine maintenance.
2.
Water skiing is seriously restricted.
All considered, this solar project is a win-win.
It has worked out better than the winery imagined.
What is the Life Expectancy of an Appliance Purchased since the Year 2007? As with most things involving big business or the government, a study was funded to determine what we pretty well know already.
In this case, the study was to determine how long we can expect some popular appliances to last if they were produced in 2007 or later.
In reading the findings, we need to keep in mind that for new appliances today, technology has changed some in just the last three years.
As far as life span goes, advancing technology may be good or bad.
Thankfully, a number of major appliances can be expected to have a lifespan of a decade or more.
Sadly, none of the appliances match up to the refrigerator in my old family farm house that lasted 55 years.
As I remember, the handle fell off, but the inner workings were never serviced or repaired.
Appliances: * Dishwasher: 9 years - I wonder if this includes the rubberized coating on the racks? * Microwave Oven: 9 years - this is a really good microwave in my opinion.
* Electric Range: 13 years * Gas Range:15 years - interesting that the gas range is expected to last longer than electric.
* Range/Oven Hoods: 14 years - clean those filters if you are going to reach 14 years.
* Compact Refrigerator: 9 years * Standard Refrigerator: 13 years - I guess the standard refrigerator is made better than the compact.
* Freezer: 11 years * Washer: 10 years - I would think this really depends on the size of the family and the size of the farmers coveralls.
* Electric Dryer: 11 years - here again, clean those dryer ducts to reduce drying time.
* Furnaces: 15 to 20 years - I love this, 15 to 20 years, why not just say 17.
5 years.
* Tankless Water Heater: 20+ years - How many daughters do you have? * Electric Water Heater: 11 years - most water heaters have a 6 year warranty you'll never use.
* Gas Water Heater: 10 years Now, plan ahead a little concerning your appliances and the expected replacement date.
Perhaps it's not too soon to start looking at different models and efficiency ratings.
Research efficiency ratings by visiting the Energy Star dot gov.
web site.
As far as cost effective replacement goes, it's almost always cheaper to maintain or repair an appliance than to replace it, even if the new appliance has a higher energy efficiency rating.
Thanks again for stopping by, come back soon, but I won't leave the refrigerator door open for you...
Don Ames