[V8] V8 Digest, Vol 70, Issue 7

[Roger Woodbury]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 19:37:47 EDT
From: J123fs at aol.com
Subject: Re: [V8] Your milage may vary
To: v8 at audifans.com
Message-ID: <cb9.53965dc7.37acc34b at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

My actual using gallons per miles driven (not the computer which is ALWAYS  
2-3 MPG optimistic) has been 16.2-16.4.
Maxing out at 23 with 100% highway (at 75-80MPH). 
Someone getting close to 30 must drive like....er, I mean be responsible -  
and not have heavy aftermarket wheels, roof rack, ect to get that good 
actual  milage!!
Winter warmups and stop in go in bad weather means 13-15 all winter- never  
better (with new OXY sensor ) city 19.5 Highway- maybe cold weather mix  
gas??
BTW, Roger you really need to look into geothermal if you want off the grid 
 self-sufficiency- email me off list and I can turn you on to some good 
info  and food for thought.
Jack


------------------------------
 Actually, I've done a great deal of research into geothermal energy,
principally for a large condominium project that I was working on in the mid
1990's.  There is a company in New Brunswick, Canada that makes cold climate
geothermal heat pump systems and has been in business for more than twenty
years.  

The biggest issue with geothermal heat pumps here in Maine is the the amount
of electricity that they consume and the cost of electricity from the
utility:  fifteen cents per kilowatt hour means that in a best case
scenario, a geothermal heatpump system of three or four tons will cost a LOT
to use.  Add to that the cost of well drilling, and the systems become
pricey.  

There is NO way that we will be able to develop enough electricity by wind
turbine to drive a geothermal system of, say 3 tons capacity. The systems
require around 2500 watts to operate.

Now, with Passive House (or in Germany, "Passivhaus"), the emphasis is on
insulation and elimination of thermal bridging in wall, door and window
systems.  We do not manufacture windows in this country that would qualify
as Passive House widows.  With a Passive House standard of 15 kwh per square
meter annually for heat, the heat load is exceptionally low, and we intend
to develop sufficient heat by a very small resistance element in the
heat/energy recovery ventilation system. The resistance element should be
needed only in those coldest of period, which normally coincide with bright
clear and windy winter days.  

As a fall back position, we can run a small electric resistance heating
unit, and develop power by generator in the worst of it if necessary.

Geothermal energy as it is normally available now is contraindicated for
Passive House because the heat produced by such systems overload the house's
need.

Roger