IssacZachary
Well-known member
I'd like to switch to as much solar heat and solar electricity as possible.
But with temperatures as low as -40° during the winter I don't think a heat pump with resistive heat as a backup would cut it. I'd like to continue using natural gas (which would he much cheaper than electricity off the grid) or wood for backup heat. But I'd also like to first put that heat, be it wood or gas, to a steam engine to generate electricity when the sun is scarce, and using the waste heat to heat the house.
Of course I've started where it counts the most by adding more insulation and better windows first.
But with temperatures as low as -40° during the winter I don't think a heat pump with resistive heat as a backup would cut it. I'd like to continue using natural gas (which would he much cheaper than electricity off the grid) or wood for backup heat. But I'd also like to first put that heat, be it wood or gas, to a steam engine to generate electricity when the sun is scarce, and using the waste heat to heat the house.
Of course I've started where it counts the most by adding more insulation and better windows first.