Woke up to 2.5 inches of snow overnight, as measured by what’s piled on my laundry table. May have been more, since the snow plastered on the windward side of everything tells me I slept through a snowstorm with considerable wind.
9:30, and I just now turned the power on because I’m finally getting some joy from the solar panels. Last summer I acquired a long-handled squeegee, but unfortunately that’s as high as I can reach on my scrounged termite-bait 6′ wooden stepladder.
That’s about to change. Remember a couple of days ago, when I was congratulating myself on how totally nonmaterialistic I am? Well, in that building I’m supposed to empty out anyway there’s an aluminum extension ladder. Hadn’t given it a thought before about 6:30 this morning, when I was out trying to clear the panels. Used to be, I just passively waited for the sun to clear them when it would but more proactive is better.
Oh, and by the way…
Came back from morning walkies to find the Lair far too warm. 🙂
Some of that is improved firewood, since I cut up a bunch of badly-weathered pallets made of nice dense hardwood. The stove got hot this morning, on no more actual fire than I normally build. But I’ll also credit the Lair’s walls now being covered with more than one sheet of OSB and lots of wishful thinking.
So once again, many thanks to those who made it possible.
That’s just darn amazing… It was 31 degrees outside when I got up at 4AM, but we only had a few dribbles of rain overnight. I’m ready for the snow, but I do wonder when we’re going to get any!!
Really glad you found a ladder. The rickety old wooden one probably needs to go into the firewood pile. 🙂
That ladder was a great find. The nice thing about the replacement ladder is that the old wooden one can be cut up, metal salvaged for some other use and the old dry wood can go into the fireplace.
Living where I do up in the great white north and in a snow belt area to boot, we normally see 6 to 8 feet of snow over the course of winter with 6 to 12 inch dumps being a regular event. The snow is a major issue that has to be taken into account when doing anything outside and that includes solar. If I could find a way to deal with the snow on the roof of a 2 story home I would go solar in a heartbeat.
Right now I am waiting for the new home batteries (Tesla) to hit the market. I figure they will help reduce my hydro bill by my running the house off them during peak periods and charging them in off peak times. As a bonus there is the ability to keep things going when there is a power failure. Gotta have them toys going ya know…
I wouldn’t be to hasty in cutting up that wooden ladder as there are places an aluminum extension ladder is not desirable or safe.
Not sure how many power lines he has around the homestead, Judy…
Well, there’s still the lightning. I don’t leave metal ladders upright around my house when it’s stormy.
Is there any way you could vent a small bit of that heat near the panels?
Sounds like the first test of your new home sheathing went well and you will be more comfortable and warmer with less work. Now to just get rid of those steps… If that anti-slip tape you got in a care package will stick to the aluminum ladder rungs, it might be a good safety improvement. Is there any of that tape on the steps?
The top step is paved with it. I got some wider material, which hopefully will prove more durable than the original strips did. Didn’t have enough for the lower steps, though. I do that only to annoy you, Z. 🙂
Hmmm, sounds like we need to make a surprise visit and play safety nazi. Between us, I suspect we could make the hermit’s life very “interesting” for at least a few days. Unfortunately, it’s much too far away for me. If you do visit, please consider keeping me in the loop – even though I’m quite sure you wouldn’t miss anything important. LOL
(Just kidding, Joel.) 🙂
Previous post addressed to Zelda, just in case anyone missed the joke. 🙂
I have always wondered if you (Joel) have considered the use of a solar heat panel.
There are many differing designs, most of which can be built from scrounged material. (See also: http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/AirColTesting/Index.htm )
Not much use overnight, but could possibly save firewood during the day.