Power grid challenges in Texas

[TankTop5]

Nuclear power is easy, just have the president declare a national emergency and then direct the US Navy to share some tech.

The waste isn’t an issue, it’s simply against the law to recycle nuclear waste because have stupid feel good laws regarding nuclear power.

 

[panteragstk]

The slab may lower the temperature, but not as much as a badly insulated exterior wall since the ground temperature isn't as low, other than at the perimeter. Too bad the slab isn't insulated. If I was on slab, I would consider adding radiant floor heat if the flooring was going to be replaced.

Funny you should mention that. I told my wife as much during this. The only issue is that a lot of the tile in our house won't be getting replace do the radiant heating won't be everywhere. I'm going to have to see how much it costs, because this sucks.

 

[panteragstk]

While 4" isn't a lot of space for insulation, a 2x4 wall with fiberboard sheathing and other better material choices for insulation can be in the R-20 area and that HAS TO be better than what was used prior to the most recent builds. Then, think about the number of houses that have single-glazed windows- that and infiltration are huge contributors to heat loss.

When I was in college, our house was so poorly insulated that and had ancient single pane windows that regularly let TONS of dust in so we bought styrofoam insulation and sealed up our windows. Caulked around the foam too. It made a huge difference in our heat/cool loss. At the time we lived in a place that went down to -5F in winter to 105F+ in the summer so you can imagine how much of a difference that made.

 

[Mikado463]

Nuclear power is easy, just have the president declare a national emergency and then direct the US Navy to share some tech.

The waste isn’t an issue, it’s simply against the law to recycle nuclear waste because have stupid feel good laws regarding nuclear power.

Besides it looks like Biden is going to start re-talking to Iran. It will be interesting to see where it goes relative to their nuclear program.

As for waste issues I thought the French had a very workable solution for that ?

 

[highfigh]

Nuclear power is easy, just have the president declare a national emergency and then direct the US Navy to share some tech.

The waste isn’t an issue, it’s simply against the law to recycle nuclear waste because have stupid feel good laws regarding nuclear power.

What does the Navy know that the DOE scientists, engineers and researchers don't? I assume they learned the same material.

 

[highfigh]

Besides it looks like Biden is going to start re-talking to Iran. It will be interesting to see where it goes relative to their nuclear program.

As for waste issues I thought the French had a very workable solution for that ?

What was their plan- ship it somewhere else?

 

[panteragstk]

What does the Navy know that the DOE scientists, engineers and researchers don't? I assume they learned the same material.

It's probably more in the way they use the tech in that the DOE scientists and engineers could build off of if they don't already have access to it. I don't see why they wouldn't, but I can see the need for cooperation.

 

[Mikado463]

What was their plan- ship it somewhere else?

I thought they had some kind of 're-cycle' answer ?

 

[highfigh]

When I was in college, our house was so poorly insulated that and had ancient single pane windows that regularly let TONS of dust in so we bought styrofoam insulation and sealed up our windows. Caulked around the foam too. It made a huge difference in our heat/cool loss. At the time we lived in a place that went down to -5F in winter to 105F+ in the summer so you can imagine how much of a difference that made.

In '76, when oil prices skyrocketed, my dad decided that we were going to insulate the rec room in our basement- it had a couple of supply vents, but they would blow such hot air that being near them was very uncomfortable. We removed anything from the concrete block walls that didn't need to be there, used construction adhesive to attach 1" EPS and put 1/4" plywood paneling up. Made a huge difference, although not as much as pink foam, especially if it had been thicker. Still, it was much better. That house was built in 1953/54, when fuel oil was cheap. To make it better, my mom was the secretary for the owner of a lumber company that also sold coal and fuel oil, so the discount she got put the price for oil at about 2-1/2 cents per gallon until natural gas became a better option in about 1980.

I recently replaced a basement window that was leaking with an insulated one- one stinking window made a big difference and it has a storm window on the outside.

 

[highfigh]

It's probably more in the way they use the tech in that the DOE scientists and engineers could build off of if they don't already have access to it. I don't see why they wouldn't, but I can see the need for cooperation.

I would be surprised if they don't already share a lot of information but they ARE part of the US government, so......

 

[Mikado463]

I thought they had some kind of 're-cycle' answer ?

https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/producing-climate-friendly-energy/nuclear-energy/our-expertise/radioactive-waste

 

[highfigh]

I thought they had some kind of 're-cycle' answer ?

"Run away"?

 

[TankTop5]

What does the Navy know that the DOE scientists, engineers and researchers don't? I assume they learned the same material.

Nothing, but it’s classified so they can’t use it commercially.

I’m willing to bet commercial nuclear is much more efficient than military submarines but the military stuff will run for 100 years with very low maintenance.

 

[Irvrobinson]

The slab may lower the temperature, but not as much as a badly insulated exterior wall since the ground temperature isn't as low, other than at the perimeter. Too bad the slab isn't insulated. If I was on slab, I would consider adding radiant floor heat if the flooring was going to be replaced.

We have radiant heat in a slab. In fact, it's our only heat source (outside of one gas insert). I almost didn't buy the house because of it, as I couldn't imagine how the system could sufficiently heat the house if the temps went to 0F or below. We're at 6200 feet, so it happens. This is now our 5th winter in the house and the radiant system still amazes me. Not only does it easily keep the house at 70F if we choose (we normally use 68F), at 4F outside and high winds (just happened in this storm that eventually hit Texas), it does so silently, and we've never had a natural gas bill higher than about $220 for a 3650 sq-ft single-level house. Since the only electricity it uses is a control board and a small pump, I can easily use one of these:

Duracell PowerSource 660 - UPS - 1440 Watt - DR660PSS - Laptop Chargers & Adapters - CDW.com

Buy a Duracell PowerSource 660 - UPS - 1440 Watt at CDW.com

www.cdw.com

To keep the entire heating system running for about a day, assuming the gas isn't affected. Each room and bathroom has a separate zone which is nice.

One weakness of radiant is that it likes tile or stone floors best. If you have carpet you really need to use low-pile dense stuff with rubber padding. When we bought the house several rooms were carpeted with a short shag (considered fashionable in 2006 when the house was built; ugh) and foam padding. Using rubber padding and low dense pile as the boiler company recommended made a big difference in heating efficiency.

 

[panteragstk]

We have radiant heat in a slab. In fact, it's our only heat source (outside of one gas insert). I almost didn't buy the house because of it, as I couldn't imagine how the system could sufficiently heat the house if the temps went to 0F or below. We're at 6200 feet, so it happens. This is now our 5th winter in the house and the radiant system still amazes me. Not only does it easily keep the house at 70F if we choose (we normally use 68F), at 4F outside and high winds (just happened in this storm that eventually hit Texas), it does so silently, and we've never had a natural gas bill higher than about $220 for a 3650 sq-ft single-level house. Since the only electricity it uses is a control board and a small pump, I can easily use one of these:

Duracell PowerSource 660 - UPS - 1440 Watt - DR660PSS - Laptop Chargers & Adapters - CDW.com

Buy a Duracell PowerSource 660 - UPS - 1440 Watt at CDW.com

www.cdw.com

To keep the entire heating system running for about a day, assuming the gas isn't affected. Each room and bathroom has a separate zone which is nice.

One weakness of radiant is that it likes tile or stone floors best. If you have carpet you really need to use low-pile dense stuff with rubber padding. When we bought the house several rooms were carpeted with a short shag (considered fashionable in 2006 when the house was built; ugh) and foam padding. Using rubber padding and low dense pile as the boiler company recommended made a big difference in heating efficiency.

For me, the carpet is what's getting removed so no issue there.

What type of radiant heat do you have? Electric that goes between the flooring and the slab, or hot water moving through the slab or under the flooring?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It's not just wall insulation, though thin 2x4 walls leave little room for insulation, doors and windows are significant issues, homes with open crawl spaces, homes with "window walls", and ceilings/roofs that have no significant space for insulation. Retrofitting would be a huge expense, and for all but the smallest jobs the occupants can't live there while the project is going on. That doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be done, but it'll be a huge expense at a national level that'll take who knows how many years. It wouldn't surprise me if the work took decades and cost trillions.

I get retrofitting is both expensive, unpractical, or both. My question is why newer homes (let's say built after 2005
aren't built as energy-efficient? Am I wrong to assume so? (thin exterior walls could be insulated with thinner spray-on foam which doesn't need much space as cheaper/traditional mineral wool insulation and more efficient

 

[Irvrobinson]

For me, the carpet is what's getting removed so no issue there.

What type of radiant heat do you have? Electric that goes between the flooring and the slab, or hot water moving through the slab or under the flooring?

It's a hot water system in the slab. It uses a Weil-McLain gas boiler with a 115v Grundfos electric pump. There was another Irv who used to post here, who was in the boiler / HVAC business, and he seemed mildly impressed by the choices the builder made. The most convenient part is the integrated electronics and pump are powered by one power cable with a three-prong plug, so hooking up a UPS is easy.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I get retrofitting is both expensive, unpractical, or both. My question is why newer homes (let's say built after 2005
aren't built as energy-efficient? Am I wrong to assume so? (thin exterior walls could be insulated with thinner spray-on foam which doesn't need much space as cheaper/traditional mineral wool insulation and more efficient

Most newer homes are much better, but, as I'm sure you know, residential buildings vary widely by state and even counties. I don't think anyone uses single-pane windows anymore. Many areas now specify 2x6 exterior walls. Many areas have insulation codes. But older homes are still a problem.

 

[TankTop5]

Most newer homes are much better, but, as I'm sure you know, residential buildings vary widely by state and even counties. I don't think anyone uses single-pane windows anymore. Many areas now specify 2x6 exterior walls. Many areas have insulation codes. But older homes are still a problem.

Yep, I think Colorado is now 2x6 plus Tyvek.

 

[panteragstk]

I get retrofitting is both expensive, unpractical, or both. My question is why newer homes (let's say built after 2005
aren't built as energy-efficient? Am I wrong to assume so? (thin exterior walls could be insulated with thinner spray-on foam which doesn't need much space as cheaper/traditional mineral wool insulation and more efficient

They are better, but minimum code is minimum code. Some builders go above and advertise that, some don't. It really depends.

My house in DFW was fully brick. My current house is only brick in the front and is cement board siding on the rest. It's not good enough and the house is only 4.5 years old. Spray foam wasn't an option becauses it's "too expensive".

Our code specifies 2x4 exterior walls. Less than the colder areas. Insulation having a specific R value here is also less. It makes sense 95% of the time. Now is that outlier that exposes all the things people neglect when they build, or neglect when they buy or do maintenance.