Exploring The Best Way To Heat Your Home in Northern California

Let’s explore cost, efficiency, installation experience needed, DIY possibilities, footprint, maintenance, lifespan and more to help you determine the best way to heat your home in our Sierra Foothills of Northern California!

The 2 infographics below compare:

• natural gas furnaces
• multiple types of wood and pellet stoves
• mini-splits & heat pumps
• propane and more

Get some tea or coffee, turn up the heat and happy scrolling!

After you read the infographics, visit here for a DEEP DIVE into each section of the infographic with corresponding forums and learning from the great community at Permies.com!

2.

The Revolutionary Rocket Mass Heater: A Better Wood Burning Stove

As the world increasingly seeks sustainable and efficient heating solutions, one innovative design has been making waves recently, the rocket mass heater. Developed with principles of simplicity and resourcefulness, this heating system offers Northern California homeowners a way to stay warm while reducing their environmental impact. The only caveat unfortunately is that depending on your situation and home design, it may not be able to be built “to code.”  Some may see a full stop in this last sentence, others, an opportunity to innovate!

WAIT, even if you have already decided a rocket mass heater is not for you, scroll down to the middle of this article for an amazing infographic analyzing popular heating methods from electric heat pumps to wood stoves and more.

In this article we’ll dive into the specifics of the rocket mass heater, drawing insights from Paul Wheaton, a leading educator, founder of Permies.com an expert in the field, and explore how it can be a game-changer for home heating in our area.

Side note: I am sure a rocket mass heater would do well in greenhouses and hoophouses on top of a concrete slab or the ground. Perfect for our farming and cannabis community looking to save money on heating and emitting less smoke. I personally whish I had known about this earlier!  

What is a Rocket Mass Heater?

Watch Paul Wheaton explain it with some illustrations in the video below.

A rocket mass heater is a type of wood-burning stove that is part of the broader category of masonry heaters. It’s designed to offer high-efficiency heating with minimal wood usage. The system consists of a heavily insulated combustion chamber where wood burns at a high temperature, a vertical chimney to provide strong draft, and a large thermal mass, such as a bench or bed, to store and slowly release the heat over time.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Exceptional Efficiency and Sustainability: Rocket mass heaters are renowned for their efficiency, using about 1/10 the amount of wood while producing 1/100 the amount of smoke compared to traditional wood stoves. This efficiency translates into substantial savings for homeowners, especially relevant in the wood-rich environments of Northern California’s Sierra Foothills. It burns wood so completely that almost all the material is consumed, significantly reducing the amount of wood needed compared to traditional wood stoves.

2. Lower Emissions: Due to its high-efficiency burn, utilizing more oxygen, rocket mass heaters produce fewer emissions and smoke. The high temperatures in the combustion chamber (often exceeding 1100 degrees Fahrenheit) effectively break down most of the potential creosote & soot into simpler, less harmful compounds. As a result, there’s significantly less creosote residue to be concerned about, reducing the risk of chimney fires and the need for frequent cleaning.

3. Moreover, the design of rocket mass heaters often includes a secondary combustion zone. In this zone, any remaining combustible gases and particulates are burned off before being released into the atmosphere.

4. Affordability: These heaters can be built with recycled or locally sourced materials, making them an affordable option for many.

5. DIY Friendly: With basic construction skills, one can build a rocket mass heater, customizing it to fit their space and needs.

6. Radiant Heat: Unlike conventional heaters that heat air, rocket mass heaters emit radiant heat, which is more comfortable and evenly distributed.

7. Artistic Design: Each rocket mass heater can be a unique piece of functional art, designed to fit the aesthetic of your space.

Before we give you a wonderful DIY design and resources on rocket mass heaters, here is a bonus infographic on the multiple types of heating for you homes, analyzed. 

Go here to see another viewpoint on this infographic>>

Learn to Build Your Own

Ready to build your own rocket mass heater? Check out this comprehensive guide that walks you through the process step-by-step.

*This is not the only design and build styles that are out there and in the links and resources below you’ll find a whole lot more to check out. 

Go down the Rocket Mass Heater Rabbit Hole at Permies.com >> www.permies.com/w/rmh-resources

Challenges in Building to Code

While rocket mass heaters offer numerous advantages, building them to code can be challenging. Compliance with local building codes is crucial, and these regulations can vary significantly. The main concerns usually revolve around EPA requirements, weight loads, structural support, and clearances to combustibles. Homeowners interested in installing a rocket mass heater should consult with local building authorities and builders to navigate these complexities … and report back to us what you find!

Go ahead and dive into a compressive explanation of walkthroughs and walkarounds for Rocket Mass Heaters. Follow the link here and scroll down to Erica Wisner for a long explanation on code concerns before your plan your build >> www.permies.com/t/25954/Rocket-Mass-Heater-Compliance-Code

Rocket mass heaters are simply a better way to burn wood for heating our homes and buildings. It’s technologies like these innovative and historical that can open our eyes to better, alternative ways to live using the resources that we have close to us. Let’s get the fire burning! 

Let us know your thoughts on rocket mass heaters by visiting our social media pages which are linked at the top of this page!

One Step Closer to Car Nirvana : Built-in Solar Rooftops

Do you know the mpg for a 2023 Toyota Prius Prime?

133 mpg-e. Yup, 1-3-3 miles per gallon (add the “e” for factoring the in the electric capabilities).

Do you know some cars and trucks still roll in below 20 mpg?!

That means the gas you buy in the new Prius is worth 6 times more than a gas guzzler.

Plus with the new Prius Prime you can include SOLAR PANELS BUILT INTO THE ROOF!

Yes, we do understand that in the Sierra Foothills many us need 4WD and trucks. That is why after you read this article, check out our other article where we recommend the best options for trucks in 2023 –  “Gas Guzzling Giants: The Absurdity of 16-MPG Trucks in a 2023 World.”

This is a game changing milestone for transportation.

There have been some cars that have solar built in their roofs and panels, but not a mass produced trusted brand like Toyota. Before this, the closest we had was the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and that was for an only electric car, not a plugin hybrid like the Prius Prime. Other cars had solar panels but they did not charge the hybrid electric battery, only charging accessories or the 12 volt battery. These solar panels charge the hybrid battery.

Let’s break down what this means.

1. The big issue for a regular hybrid vehicles is that they do not store energy well in their smaller ev  batteries.  On a vacation, if you let a hybrid battery drain to zero, it becomes a very expensive fix. In a regular combustion vehicle it’s easy to charge the 12 volt battery or simply replace it, but a hybrid will cost you thousands to replace the much larger hybrid lithium battery and they are not chargeable with jumper cables.
2. Having solar panels on a hybrid car is like having a built in trickle charger, making sure that your hybrid battery never goes dead when you are away. This is a huge difference between a regular hybrid vs a plugin hybrid with solar panels. It saves the risk of a huge potential expense, and saves the owner from having to find a driver while on vacation.
3. Also to consider: A plugin hybrid engine being a mix of  an electric motor and a hybrid/electric battery bank always needs to have gasoline to function correctly. So in an emergency you would have to be aware to never run your gas to empty. You could however leave some gas in, and charge the car via the solar panels to continue to get miles without having to plugin or fuel up. It would last longer but possibly not indefinitely. 
4. Therefore an electric car with solar panels would probably be the most emergency proof vehicle on the market.  When there is no gas, and no electric to plugin (which does happen in emergencies in California) your car could keep on running. But depending on the amount of solar panels built in, you may only get around 2-6 miles per day with the Prius Prime but more if you charged with the solar from your home. 

Again not a perfect solution, but a step in the right direction.

Bottomline:

For $600 you can add solar panels to the 2023 Prius Prime hybrid plugin vehicle. Essentially owning a car that can not only travel 44 miles without using gas but can also charge itself and, has a built in “trickle charger” for vacations.

It is affordable at $30k, and feels like a smart buy for a customer thinking about living sustainably, efficiently, and economically. It has also been redesigned to look more sporty as the older Prius versions looked sort of clunky.

If I were to buy a new car, this would be on the top of the list because it is a very high mpg plugin hybrid with solar panels. To me, the closest thing to car nirvana considering all the factors.

Why wouldn’t I prefer just an electric car with solar panels? Well, when the power is out, and you can’t get a charge, you’ll be happy you have the gas engine to keep you rolling under any situation.

Yes, I did just say I would be happy to still have a gas engine… as long as it’s efficient!  This is the Sierra Foothills, and charging stations are not prevalent. 

Why not just a gasoline car? Knowing the benefits of hybrid cars, the innovation and advancements they bring (check out regenerative braking!), I think having an “only gas” engine is a thing of the past. It’s simply not that efficient in it’s current design. Also when they turn the gas pumps off in emergencies or when gas prices skyrocket, I can charge my car with solar on my home and on my car!

The 2023 Prius Prime is not the only car to have solar panels built in, but it is the first to hit the mass market from a maker like Toyota.

Check out the chart we compiled below to see other vehicles that incorporate solar panels into their designs.

SEG & Chill – How Sustainable Are EV’s really?

A critical look at EV’s from a CO2 and GHG (greenhouse gas) perspective.

Although we should always remember vehicles emit more than just GHG like CO2 but also pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and many volatile organic compounds that contribute to smog.

Powering Homes With Electric Vehicles: Are We There Yet?

From compact cars to large, robust trucks, the landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly diversifying, ushering in a new era of electric mobility. With battery capacities skyrocketing to a staggering 200 kWh in some electric trucks, these vehicles are turning into sizeable mobile power hubs. But beyond just driving, these changes promise a transformative influence on how we perceive and use energy.

EVs today are not just about transportation; they’re potentially mobile power stations. The implications are enormous.

Powering Homes with EVs: The Dichotomy of Utility and Endurance

Editor’s Note: Now that we will have huge electric batteries in our cars, wouldn’t that make a home battery unnecessary?   This is a great question! The short answer is, even though I prefer to buy less, and mine less minerals, we here at SEG would still recommend a battery or some form of backup power for your home aside from depending on your vehicle only. It’s all about resiliency, economy, redundancy and energy independence.

One of the most intriguing applications of EVs with large batteries is their potential to power homes, particularly during power outages. Given that an average American home consumes approximately 30 kWh of energy per day, an electric truck with a large battery capacity could theoretically support a home for multiple days. But while this potential sounds impressive, it does present significant challenges:

1. Battery Life Cycle: Using the EV as an auxiliary power source increases battery cycles, potentially shortening its overall lifespan.
2. Driving Range: If a significant amount of the EV’s battery is used to power a home, the driving range could be compromised, affecting the vehicle’s primary function – mobility.
3. Charging Time: With battery capacities increasing, the charging time is also increasing correspondingly. Charging a massive 200 kWh battery from home could take between 12-14 hours, necessitating a careful consideration of charging strategies.

The added utility of EVs as power backup is tantalizing, but it’s a delicate balancing act between utility, endurance, and longevity

Solar Energy Policies: A Need for Reformation

To support EV adoption and sustainability, home solar installations are the most reliance and energy independent option for energy. But as the size of EV batteries increases, so too does the solar capacity needed to charge them efficiently. Current regulations, particularly in solar-rich states like California, impose limitations on the size of home solar installations, and these limits may need revisiting.

Policies need to evolve with the technology. If EVs are to be charged sustainably, larger solar installations will be necessary. It’s a policy issue that needs urgent attention

The Future of Battery Production: Emphasizing Sustainability

The anticipated surge in EVs also signifies a boom in battery demand, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable and ethical battery production practices. The industry’s reliance on cobalt, a mineral often associated with conflict mining, needs addressing.

Sustainability in EVs extends beyond zero tailpipe emissions. The EV revolution will only be genuinely green when the batteries that power these vehicles are produced ethically and sustainably.

Concluding Thoughts: Unpacking the Future of Energy

In summary, EVs—particularly those with large batteries—are more than just vehicles; they’re significant pieces in the future energy puzzle. While this evolution opens up exciting possibilities, it’s a transition that comes with its share of complexities. Navigating these challenges effectively will help realize the true potential of EVs in our quest for a sustainable and energy-efficient future. The journey has begun, and it promises to be a fascinating one.

Especially as we try and “game” or triage the soaring costs from utilities like PG&E.

Let’s be real, energy is about to get a lot more interesting!

Sorry Tesla: Why I still think a plugin hybrid is better than a full electric vehicle

Alternate Quirky Title: “Here is why I would buy a plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) instead of an all electric car (EV) and I work for a solar company.”

The “all things should be electric” mantra is great until you live in the Sierras.

We have the full spectrum of issues when it comes to reliable energy.

We experience:

1. PSPS’s – warm weather
2. Fires – warm weather
3. Snowmageddons – cold weather & snow

Our energy and transportation challenges happen in warm and cold weather, therefor our solutions have to be more complex than “let’s electrify everything.” 

With that said, for our homes, I still believe in the energy trifecta. Solar + batteries and a backup generator. However, transportation introduces a different set of challenges.

Electric vs hybrid vs combustions vehicles in 2023

As I contemplate my next vehicle purchase, I can’t help but consider several scenarios:

1. What happens when your electric is out, but you need to charge your car?
2. What if a fire breaks out and your EV’s battery is depleted from driving all day, and you don’t have time to charge? To top it off, PG&E decides to preemptively cut the power.  *Suddenly your EV becomes an immovable object at a very crucial time.
3. What if the nearest charging station is “out of order,” and there are no others within your car’s range?
4. What if you’re stuck in the snow, the road’s impassable and your EV’s battery runs out? With a hybrid or gas-powered vehicle, a gas can could save the day.
5. For combustion-only vehicles, what if a fire forces evacuation and your car’s low gas mileage creates an emergency scenario when you find out gas stations are out of service, out of gas or closed?
6. On the flip side, there is also a benefit to being able charge a car at home, especially if gas pumps are out of fuel which can happen before/during emergencies. 

All of these scenarios are possible, and unfortunately they happen in our area.

How about range?

Heard this question before?

A fully charged Tesla can travel approximately 300-360 miles, nearly enough to reach Los Angeles.

However, a fully charged and filled 2023 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid car (which employs both electric motors and gas combustion engines) can cover an impressive range of 600-660 miles.

Simply put, you could travel twice as far on a full charge plus a full tank of gas in a 2023 Prius PHEV than you can in a Tesla EV.

To break it down even further:

• A fully charged Tesla EV could potentially take me as far as Oregon and Nevada.
• A fully charged Prius Plugin Hybrid could take me to Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.

When I buy a vehicle I like to consider the extremes and unfortunately these scenarios have become all too real in our community.  Recent fires and snowmageddons along with Covid, created a need to evaluate what our vehicles can do. 

This is why we at SEG we focus on appropriate AND sustainable technology. That is why we install solar, batteries AND generators.

In Conclusion

Given all these factors, and with the reasonable prices of these cars currently in production, I personally would buy a plug-in hybrid over any other type of vehicle.  The plugin hybrid can be charged by my home’s solar panels and the electric battery is big enough to get me to work and back without gas. Also because they also have a gasoline engine, which I can fill up anywhere and they can get over 100 mpge!

I will be writing about the Prius PHEV in a future article because it also has solar panels built into the roof as an option! Imagine that, even if all the power was down, I could still keep on going, indefinitely, even it I could only charge up to 6 miles a day. 

Read our article about the 2023 Prius Prime PHEV, to be published in late August 2023 here or subscribe to our newsletter for more (see the side bar or below). 

Also, if you were wondering… there is such a thing as a Solar Electric Vehicles or SEV’s. These concept cars insert solar cells everywhere they can, to gain the most chargeable miles per day. The Lightyear SEV claims it can charge about 44 miles in full sun, per day, which is exciting! But I still believe the extra combustion engine makes a PHEV a more appropriate form of technology for transportation at this moment, in Northern California.

The Lightyear SEV

Gas Guzzling Giants: The Absurdity of 16-MPG Trucks in a 2023 World

*Really?! Worse than prior years? Is this a joke? Who does this delay benefit?

Automotive technology has seen significant shifts in recent years, with particular emphasis on fuel efficiency. Trucks, traditionally seen as gas-guzzlers, are finally seeing some improvements. But just how far have we come in creating the efficient truck of the future?

*Read until the end for a our comprehensive spreadsheet comparison.

Hybrid Trucks

When examining the hybrid offerings, three trucks vie for the top spot. The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra hybrids both hover at a similar price point (approximately $40k), but the F-150 offers a more impressive electric ability able to drive 39 miles on electric compared to the Tundra’s 22 miles. However, the real disruptor in the hybrid truck category is the 2024 Ford Maverick. This well priced truck ($21,490) outperforms the more expensive models with an electric range of 42 miles and a whopping 40 MPGe.

Let’s remember that it’s “whopping,” because the average, for a long time, for a lot of pickup trucks, has been lower than 20 mpg. Also compared to a new hybrid electric car, which can drive more than 100 mpge, 40 mpge for a vehicle is not as impressive. 

Ford Maverick Hybrid – 40 mpg : $20-25k

Side Note – Cost:

We all can agree that burning less gas, will create less pollution and use less finite resources. This is what makes fuel efficiency so important. But how about the cost?

Check out this graph for the average cost per year vs miles per gallon in the USA. In California it would cost more because our gas is some of the most expensive in the nation, especially in our region. Each MPG below 20 becomes exponentially more expensive per year. 

– image from www.gizmodriver.com/fuel-economy/average-and-median-mpg-for-all-types-of-pickup-trucks/

FYI: Below are average gas prices per state for July 2023. 

Gas prices in July 2023 from AAA

Here the different counties in California… ouch. 

PHEV Trucks?

The Plug-In Hybrid Electric Truck (PHEV) scene sees a lone contender, the Ford Ranger. Sitting at $36,285, this truck delivers 34 miles of electric range and a 42 MPGe rating, numbers that make it a worthy competitor to the traditional hybrids and can be charged from home. 

Electric Trucks?

When we venture into the electric truck territory, the efficiency numbers take a leap. Here, the electric Ford F-150 Lightning (68mpge) and the Chevrolet Silverado EV (47mpge) both present a interesting value proposition, with starting prices around $40k and electric ranges of 230 miles and 400 miles, respectively. However, the Rivian R1T, despite its hefty price tag ($67,500), delivers an impressive 314 miles electric range and leads the pack with a 105 MPGe rating.

The GMC Hummer EV and the future Ram 1500 REV are both decent offerings that present solid electric ranges and MPGe ratings, yet their high prices and the Hummer’s weight (a hefty 9,063 lbs or 4.5 tons!) makes it a tougher buy.

The EV Hummer is morbidly obese.

In sharp contrast, traditional combustion trucks continue to lag in the efficiency race. The Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, and GMC Sierra all hover between 14-19 MPG, with no electric range to speak of. This reality underscores the significant leaps made in hybrid and electric technology.

Let’s dive a little deeper.

Batteries on trucks are HUGE, and they take a lot of energy to charge and a lot of energy to create.

When analyzing battery size, electric trucks lead the way. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and the Ram 1500 REV have enormous 200.0 kWh and 215.0 kWh batteries. In contrast, hybrid trucks utilize significantly smaller batteries, with the Ford Maverick leading this category with its 13.8 kWh battery.

Battery power used for home backup is normally around 10-20kWh.

— Can we use our vehicles to charge our homes? Short answer, you will be, and in some cases yes. But you’ll want read our article about it, to be published in part 2 of our Transportation Issue coming out late August 2023 here or subscribe to our newsletter (side bar or below). 

In terms of production numbers, it’s clear that combustion trucks continue to dominate the market, with Ford’s F-150 seeing an estimated 800,000 units produced in 2023. However, it’s impressive to see electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV projecting decent numbers (150,000 units each).

To sum it all up, the shift toward more efficient trucks is evident but not yet at a point of dominance. Hybrids like the Ford Maverick and PHEVs like the Ford Ranger make efficiency accessible at a lower cost. Electric trucks promise the greatest efficiency, but at a significantly higher price point and higher impact in mining the materials and have the greatest need for electricity to charge them.

Meanwhile, traditional combustion trucks continue to hold a significant market share, although their efficiency metrics remain stuck in the past. Why is that?

One thing is clear: as technology progresses, the future of efficient pickup trucks lies in electric and hybrid innovations but this change will present some interesting challenges. 

Data, coming at ya!

Here is a rough run down compiled by SEG of the available types of trucks and their key metrics. 

What do you think? Are you happy to see some new trucks on the scene? I know we are.

*Share your thoughts with us on our social media (Facebook and Instagram)! 

Also…

Some of the Most Fuel-Efficient Pickups (not including Rivian) You Can Buy 

from the Motor Trends 2023 Truck Efficiency Article 

Concrete Is Out: SEG’s Groundbreaking Switch to Ground Screws (pun intended!)

At SEG, we are dedicated to innovating for the well-being of our planet and helping our customers feel good about working with us, knowing sustainability and innovation are our core values. Ground-mounted solar systems, which have traditionally relied on concrete footings and piers, now have an eco-friendlier alternative to secure them to the earth, RESUSABLE ground screws.  

By using ground screws instead of concrete, SEG saves an average of 7 cubic yards of concrete per installation. This is the equivalent of over 28,000 lbs or 14 tons of concrete that is not manufactured and transported to the site. 

To be clear, steel ground screws also need to be manufactured and transported but they can be REUSED while still holding their integrity and function, while concrete cannot be reused in the same fashion.

Not only are ground screws reusable, they also better preserve soil ecosystems and reduce site disturbance.  Their lightweight and maneuverable design enables faster installation, immediate loadability, ability to cut through any ground and rock, while also functioning well on slopes and challenging construction sites.

Why has concrete come under fire as being un-sustainable?

Here is what 14 tons or 7 cubic yards of concrete for a solar installation represents:

• Energy consumption: The process of producing cement for concrete is energy-intensive and involves heating raw materials, such as limestone and clay, to very high temperatures in a kiln. This process is typically powered by fossil fuels. Producing and transporting 7 cubic yards of concrete demands around 7,000 megajoules of energy. This amount is equivalent to the energy used by an average US household in approximately 63 days.  

• Waste generation: Producing 7 cubic yards of concrete generates around 0.7 metric tons of waste materials, such as dust and sludge. This waste contributes to air and water pollution and creates challenges for disposal.

• Limited reuse potential: Although some concrete can be crushed and reused as aggregate, only an estimated 10-15% can be effectively repurposed. This means that up to 5.95 cubic yards of the 7 cubic yards produced could end up in landfills, taking centuries to decompose and occupying valuable space.

• Greenhouse gas emissions: Producing 7 cubic yards of concrete generates a substantial amount of greenhouse gases other than CO2, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

• Resource depletion: Creating 7 cubic yards of concrete requires a large quantity of raw materials, including limestone, sand, and gravel. This process contributes to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and exhaustion of non-renewable resources.

• Water consumption: The production of 7 cubic yards of concrete necessitates approximately 770 gallons of water. This consumption contributes to water scarcity and puts a strain on local water resources.

• Longer construction times: The use of concrete footings for solar panel installations typically requires and extra day or two of labor increasing costs.

• Lastly, this amount of concrete is hard on our vehicles and the backs of our amazing SEG crews, making ground screws a better technology in a whole picture point of view.

Hopefully you can see that SEG’s switch from concrete to the successful implementation of ground screws in our ground mounted solar projects highlights our commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative practices in the solar industry and our community.

SEG ground mount solar array with bifacial solar panels and ground screws

Ground screws are reliable, strong and most of all, moveable and sustainably re-usable.  Our choices matter and a little change in thinking can go a long way. Can you think of any upgrades (small to big) that you can do in your business and at home?