Lets do a poll. Best heat source for your house. 4 choices.

[jamesb]

After I saw that video from Klaus Schwab about the power grid getting hacked, on farm solar looks better and better everyday.

IMO the power grid in rural Sask is the most fragile its ever been. There is a lot of 1950's vintage power poles out there. There has been many gen sets bought the past few years. With the oil patch the way it is there are real deals on power plants nowadays. Just upgraded our this year cheap compared to new.

[MBgrower]

IMO the power grid in rural Sask is the most fragile its ever been. There is a lot of 1950's vintage power poles out there. There has been many gen sets bought the past few years. With the oil patch the way it is there are real deals on power plants nowadays. Just upgraded our this year cheap compared to new.

I'm concerned about the power grid here too in MB, looking into getting a back up diesel genset big enough to power the entire home, electric furnace included. I could go cheap and just get a pto powered one, but a fully automated backup system would be awesome.

[shtferbrains]

IMO the power grid in rural Sask is the most fragile its ever been. There is a lot of 1950's vintage power poles out there. There has been many gen sets bought the past few years. With the oil patch the way it is there are real deals on power plants nowadays. Just upgraded our this year cheap compared to new.

I think your right about the grid . The other looming problem is the last of the boomers are timing out and question who is going to drag thier ass out of bed on those cold stormy nights get those repairs done.
I been thinking cheap genset too. What kind of price range for a decent ocasional use 3 or 4 cyl unit?

[seldomseen]

Mostly wood heat here from an air tight wood stove in the corner of the living room. Old 1928 two story farm house with an open interior to let heat go up stairs. Added insulation to the exterior walls and then put 1 1/2 of Styrofoam on the outside but still a little drafty. Also have a propane furnace with a fan that runs all the time and that helps keep the heat even throughout the house.
I have lots of poplar on the farm and if it is seasoned gives decent heat. I have never tried birch but have heard it is nice. It always feels good to get out in the bush and cut wood for a few day in the winter.

[blackpowder]

JamesB, your story sounds a little familiar. Dad said "dont take the gas, they'll have you for good then!"
Of course I vetoed and brought it in for free.
To some degree he now sounds right LoL.
BTW, I'd have to be 25 years younger and gas would have to quadruple for me to give a shit and consider a change.

[jamesb]

I think your right about the grid . The other looming problem is the last of the boomers are timing out and question who is going to drag thier ass out of bed on those cold stormy nights get those repairs done.
I been thinking cheap genset too. What kind of price range for a decent ocasional use 3 or 4 cyl unit?

RB has had lots go cheap but the gen set rental shops for the oil patch have their lots full of them and everything is for sale at a price. Last year before we upgraded powder to new bins I was looking at a generator in the 125 KW range to run a couple fans and the prices was from a few thousand to new price. Sask powder ended up trenching in more power quicker than we expected so went that way. Wasn't expecting to but this spring at auction ended up buying a complete oil rig generator power shack from an oil field auction. 320 KW generator powered by 3406 Cat. Under $20 K . Will power everything for sure.

[oneoff]

RB has had lots go cheap but the gen set rental shops for the oil patch have their lots full of them and everything is for sale at a price. Last year before we upgraded powder to new bins I was looking at a generator in the 125 KW range to run a couple fans and the prices was from a few thousand to new price. Sask powder ended up trenching in more power quicker than we expected so went that way. Wasn't expecting to but this spring at auction ended up buying a complete oil rig generator power shack from an oil field auction. 320 KW generator powered by 3406 Cat. Under $20 K . Will power everything for sure.

Holy Geez You're not going to stall that one.

[chuckChuck]

For residences

building construction (vapor barrier, 2x6's; double wall construction);
natural gas where you add your voice to right to trench 3 feet deep and supply of CSA gas line at what it actually is sold for; installation cost should be about $1000 plus above costs
Chip away at solar or preferably cogeneration and other supplemental supply where opportunity arises and is within budget or capability.

For rest of farm and way more substantial energy costs
aeration, large shop and electrical bills in thousands of dollars...... this warrants serious thought. Carbon taxes will be onerous and we're going to suffer and absorb those costs. Is it worth planning and fighting for some relief?. Don't expect it from the politicians or electorate who will have decreasing sympathy. They'd foolhardedly expect those costs to be absorbed.

That's why the provinces should design their own carbon price system. Then they can rebate the revenue back to farmers if that is what is needed.

Back at the peak of oil prices and high diesel prices everyone just absorbed the increased costs and most farms survived very well.

And saskpower's net metering program for solar which was available to anyone who wanted it, provides carbon tax free electricity at rate lower than what Sask Power charges.

[chuckChuck]

As pointed out by several posts, insulation and proper building design is the most important strategy in reducing energy costs.

Once you have done that then any heat source works well.

Passive solar design with lots of thermal mass will also increase efficiency a lot.

There are several builders that will build you a Net Zero house in Edmonton and Calgary.

[Guest]

Natural gas , hands down
Daughter likes wood
I enjoy cutting it
True dope is gonna plant a billion trees
He will need more than that for this wood chip scam/pellet thing going on

[foragefarmer]

[ATTACH]7279[/ATTACH]
Natural gas , hands down
Daughter likes wood
I enjoy cutting it
True dope is gonna plant a billion trees
He will need more than that for this wood chip scam/pellet thing going on

Your son in law, is a lucky guy! Sorry, couldn't let that one go!

[Guest]

yea he appreciates it , he is about the hardest worker i have ever saw , in construction
grew up in the city , but puts most farm kids to shame