[Vwdiesel] Re: vwdiesel digest, Vol 1 #406 - 7 msgs

[Harmon Seaver]

On Sat, Jan 25, 2003 at 07:31:31AM -0800, Dan MacArthur wrote:
> Re: co-generation: You all seem to forget that co-generation means just that, getting two by products out of the genset. Electricity AND heat. Set the gen-set up where the radiator can be plumbed to a nearby warmed space and the heat (or the electricity) are absolutely free. Since even diesels are only about 20% efficient the remaining BTUs otherwise wasted as heat are recaptured in this scenario. A local sawmill did this for years using the heat to dry lumber.

   Yes, as I said, I want to use it to heat my house. That was my primary
motivation before I found out about net-metering. Our utility bill, on the
budget plan, is $350 @ month year around, so heating my house and greenhouse
would be a *big* help. And you can also use that surplus heat in the Summer to
provide air-conditioning by using gas-absorbtion refridgeration units.
   If I ever get to the point of building a bigger unit, I'd use the heat to
heat some really large greenhouses and aquaculture tanks.


--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com