Solar panels + backup battery in Houston (solely to run your A/C) would be useful right about now. Heat Index of 95F. (this, as big chunks of the city are still out of power). Hopefully folks are finding shelter at friends/relatives/etc. #TXwx#heat
@ai6yr If you have links to affordable solutions for that, I would be grateful. Alabama's infrastructure isn't that much better. We are smaller than Houston, though, so it is easier and faster to do some repairs. But in 2011 when the April 27th storms came through, my folks went two weeks without power.
@smallerdemon Yikes! Two weeks. Unfortunately, solar panel + battery backup is still quite cost prohibitive (the battery is the expensive part -- solar panels have gotten very inexpensive). Solar panels have a payback of 5-10 years depending on where you are, but the batteries are a lot, lot more.
@thehomespundays Smart! I really could use a backup battery (to run A/C in a heatwave emergency -- big energy consumer!)... but have not crossed that bridge yet.
@thehomespundays I have that in my pocket as backup, my inverter will output enough 120V to power a window AC, but nothing more. It would be acceptable as a survival measure. (but not comfortable, by any means).
Add comment