Thanks, I will check out the 8 circuit switch and I like the sounds of the Paloma water heater. I am also checking out wind, solar and hydro generators. I am considering making my own wind powered generator. The prices for the models on the market seem outrageous for what they are. I have read where there have been some major strides made in solar energy producing cells. I don’t like the idea of the large windfarms...to me they are a blight on the land. But, individual small windmills are great. I think in the future if we can slow the government down in their pushing of the large windfarms individuals may become independent of the monopolies the government set up and control in energy. Wouldn’t that be grand?
When I built my house, circa 1996, the Paloma was the only "on demand" water heater I could find at the time. By chance, it is sold by a local Ace hardware near where I live. It's made in Japan, is of excellent quality and has performed flawlessly for nigh onto 14 years. There have been several others that have come on the market since then. Rush advertises the "Renai" water heater. I don't have any familiarity with it, other than his advertisements, but it might be worth a look.
I am also checking out wind, solar and hydro generators.
I've got a close friend who is building an off grid home right now. He intends to use solar and wind to charge batteries. In fact, he's got the solar part working now with enough power through an inverter to run saws, lights, etc. He also has a small wind generator that uses a permanent magnet alternator of automotive origin. Not sure of the brand, but I think he paid around $500 for it, minus the mounting pole.
Wouldn’t that be grand?
Yes. I've toyed with the idea of changing my farm house to an off grid home. We're in the process of moving there and will be for the next six months or so. The house I built where I live now is a passive solar design that I engineered. It works beautifully. I supplement the solar heat with radiant floor heat through an LP fired boiler. I intend to install a similar system in my farm house, only with a solar loop and an outdoor wood fired boiler loop that will also heat my pool and shop. My shop also has radiant floor heat installed. Here's a website that gives the details of radiant floor heat: www.radiantmax.com
Radiant floor heat is the nicest heat there is. It's very easy to adapt to solar and it feels as if the Sun is shining out of the floor. I love it!