Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

[Feba]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

But as Feba says, the cost of these renewable energy devices is still high and things like photovoltaics can take 50 years to break even on the purchase cost.

I've always heard the figure from 10-20 years. That would depend on what technology went into them, how you buy them (buying off ebay and buying from the manufacturer usually has wildly different price ranges), where you live (Seattle isn't going to have as much luck as Phoenix), and so on, but 50 years seems like a bit of a stretch. Maybe earlier models, which weren't nearly as efficient?

You also remind me of another benefit to having an at home power system-- buying power off peak, and using it during peak hours.

[Jarre]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

I've always heard the figure from 10-20 years. That would depend on what technology went into them, how you buy them (buying off ebay and buying from the manufacturer usually has wildly different price ranges), where you live (Seattle isn't going to have as much luck as Phoenix), and so on, but 50 years seems like a bit of a stretch. Maybe earlier models, which weren't nearly as efficient?

You also remind me of another benefit to having an at home power system-- buying power off peak, and using it during peak hours.

My figures are based off a 4kw photovoltaics for a house we were converting. we were asked to produce life cost cycles of the product and after getting 3 quotes off manufacturers in the uk, the cheapest was £12k ($23k) for 12 sq metres of panels fixed on top of an existing tiled roof. working out how much energy they produced using the manufacturers data and comparing it with the energy use of the household by taking an average consumption of 4 years worth of bills, we worked out the energy saved and the cost saved to take 50 years to pay off the £12k installation cost.

Prices wills lowly come down as the technology gains more popularity and use, in Germany this is happening and the prices are half that in the UK. But here in rip off britain....

Other life cycle costings we have worked out with an environmental consultant are...

2kw wind turbine. (15m high) cost to install £8000, life cost cycle = 10 years to break even.

solar heating (solar panels) for a 4 bedroomed house - 3kw tube reflector panels - £4k, pay back in 5 years.

Ground source heat pump = £10k installation - 8 year pay back.

These are genuine figures as worked out by ourselves and an environmental consultant when giving options for a client on how they can use renewable energy in their property refurbishment.

[kaibelf]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

Thank god I live in an actual city and don't have to worry about this shit. Public transit ftw, and it costs me a total of 65 bucks a month. No need for gas, tickets, insurance, or worry. I don't envy anyone who's stuck with having to drive to get basic necessities.

That being said, what DOES kill me about many of my American kinsman is the fact that so many of them are so damn lazy that they feel compelled to drive to a store that's at the end of their block, or circle around 8-9 times to find a spot to park that's 10 feet closer to their door. Then they bitch about how much money they waste on gas. It's pitiful.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

...or circle around 8-9 times to find a spot to park that's 10 feet closer to their door.

My husband does this and it drives me crazy. Granted he only has one leg but he gets along just fine on his prosthetic, an extra 20 feet isn't going to kill him. >< But on the other hand, half the cars parked in the handicapped spaces don't have handicapped occupants.

[Jarre]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

You get a ticket in the Uk if you park in a disabled space and don't have a proper disabled parking badge and clock showing.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

Well you get a ticket here also if someone calls the police and reports your car. It's a 154 GBP for a ticket but by the time an officer is dispatched to the scene the person has already come out and left usually.

Clock? Is that like a timer or something? We don't have anything like that here.

[Blonde]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

First I wanted to comment on the AC in cars issue. Actually running the AC is slightly better gas mileage in most situations, as opposed to rolling the window down due to the increased drag.

And I also thought I mention the Automotive X Prize Competition. Progressive Automotive X PRIZE I have a few friends who are submitting a car for this. Seeing what they are coming up with I have no doubts that at least a few teams will come up with a prodution quality car that can achieve the 100mpg mark. I think this will show how the auto manufactures have been in Big Oil's pocket to keep the money rolling in.

[Jarre]

Re: Properly inflated tires - Too avant garde for the U.S.?

Well you get a ticket here also if someone calls the police and reports your car. It's a 154 GBP for a ticket but by the time an officer is dispatched to the scene the person has already come out and left usually.

Clock? Is that like a timer or something? We don't have anything like that here.

Disabled parking permit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Its not a timer, you show time of arrival on it thats all, the wiki link explains it all.