Author Topic: Making use of the sun power  (Read 5272 times)

annod

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Making use of the sun power
« on: May 16, 2016, 10:00:07 AM »
1) drying bath towels in the sun.
My bathroom doesn't have very good ventilation. I realized that when hang dry my bath towels (on my deck on a drying rack, on a sunny day anyway) the bath towels don't get the mildewy smell that it used to after a few days. Not only do the towels dry faster, sunlight also kill germs. This prolong the number of days the towels can go before being washed.

I also sun dry our bath mat, hand towels every few days.

2) I make my own almond milk. I used to dump the almond meal after making the milk. A big waste but I didn't know what to do with it, Then my husband started buying these $9/lb almond meal to make paleo tea cakes. ....So what I do now is, after I make the almond milk, i scattered the wet almond meal in a glass baking tray, and sit it on top of the Charbroil Grill on the deck. On a sunny day, it dries the same day. We will then either use it right away, or freeze them.

We also just installed solar panels on the roof...

But i would like to hear what other low tech ways other people make sure of the sun energy.
 

Tyson

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2016, 01:13:01 PM »
I did something that is "sort of" sun power, so I'll post it here.  We got a new roof and the contractor pointed out that we had vents at the top of our roof (output vents), but we didn't have any input vents anywhere on our house.  Paid him and extra $350 and he installed 8 input vents for us under the roof overhang.  Now air can flow and not get trapped in our roof.

Result?  Electricity bill just dropped $30 and we no longer have hot spots (or cold spots) in certain parts of the house like we did before.  If we keep saving $30 per bill it'll pay for itself in less than a year. 

CLB

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2016, 10:47:12 AM »
We line dry everything except the bed sheets.

I read by sunlight!

I'd like to get into solar cooking but I don't know if I should DIY a solar oven or just pony up the cash for one already built.

Tom Bri

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2016, 10:21:29 PM »
We line dry everything except the bed sheets.

I read by sunlight!

I'd like to get into solar cooking but I don't know if I should DIY a solar oven or just pony up the cash for one already built.

Last year I made a cheap solar 'cooker' with some cardboard boxes and foil. We don't actually cook with it, but we do pre-heat all the water we use to make coffee, tea and for cooking. It hits about 180F on a cool, sunny day. I have assembled the materials to make a better cooker, I plan to be able to actually boil water so can use it to cook.
Eventually, I want to make one that will hit about 400F so I can recycle plastic, and/or try baking.

Jakejake

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2016, 08:17:34 PM »
I have a homemade solar food dehydrator that converts back to a lawn mower cart.

bobechs

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2016, 01:27:56 AM »
Use it to kill fungus on my skin.

It will kill fungus on your skin, too.

Plus, I use it at the same time to synthesize vitamin D.  Doesn't work on dogs, despite the same initial letter.

HenryDavid

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2016, 02:14:02 AM »
Everyone, almost, dries laundry in the sun here I rural Europe where we pre-tired for part of each year. Houses are less closed off from outdoors so everyone is more clued in to weather. So when the day promises sun and breeze all the washing machines start up and the lines are full in an hour.
Really clued in people know farmers are planning to cut hay the next day so they set the washer to run at night. Cheaper energy. Then fast drying in the sun.

And of course it's common to see bedding like duvets draped out of sunny windows to air it out at every opportunity. Another solar technique.

Back in Canada for winter we use this supposed Afghan dry cleaning trick: at -30 or below, rub carpets and cushions with the dry as dust snow, then prop in bright sun till dry. Seems to work well!


stashgrower

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2016, 05:20:34 AM »
I line dry everything and don't use lights during the daytime (yes my office is darker than everyone else's).

fattest_foot

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2016, 08:55:26 AM »
I hooked up a clothesline a few months ago and it's one of the best things I ever did. Not only does it save a ton of money (I was shocked how much), but it makes our clothes smell so much better.

The only thing that I don't like it for is my socks (but I still line dry them) and towels. The towels just become way too crunchy and abrasive. I'm sure there's probably a fix for this, but I haven't looked into it.


I'm curious about the attic vents that tyort1 mentioned. We live in the Mojave and so it gets incredibly hot. Our attic is completely closed off, however, so I feel like that heat just builds up in the attic with nowhere to go. I installed some recessed LED lights back in February and it was still probably 100+ up there (despite being in the 50's outside).

OmahaSteph

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2016, 10:17:50 AM »
I hooked up a clothesline a few months ago and it's one of the best things I ever did. Not only does it save a ton of money (I was shocked how much), but it makes our clothes smell so much better.

The only thing that I don't like it for is my socks (but I still line dry them) and towels. The towels just become way too crunchy and abrasive. I'm sure there's probably a fix for this, but I haven't looked into it.


To fix crunchy clothes/linens, just throw them in the dyer for a few minutes (obviously not a full cycle) to soften them up.

RetiredAt63

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2016, 07:26:59 PM »
My socks don't turn out crunchy, but I line dry them inside (sun fades them too much).  Towels - hey, free exfoliation, and I find by the second use they are fine. 

If things are really crunchy, you may be using too much soap or not enough rinse (or both).  Most people don't really measure how much detergent they use (same with dish washers), they just pour in a cap full.  Unless things are truly filthy, not much soap is needed.

BFGirl

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2016, 08:51:02 AM »
We line dry everything except the bed sheets.

I read by sunlight!

I'd like to get into solar cooking but I don't know if I should DIY a solar oven or just pony up the cash for one already built.

I have several solar cookers and try to cook in them on the weekends during the summer.  Here is a very good site http://www.solarcooker-at-cantinawest.com/

I recommend the Sun Oven, the Sport and the Hot Pot.  I haven't had much luck with pasta/rice, but anything slow cooked has worked like a charm.  I've even made banana bread in the Sun Oven.

CLB

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2016, 07:41:56 PM »
We line dry everything except the bed sheets.

I read by sunlight!

I'd like to get into solar cooking but I don't know if I should DIY a solar oven or just pony up the cash for one already built.

I have several solar cookers and try to cook in them on the weekends during the summer.  Here is a very good site http://www.solarcooker-at-cantinawest.com/

I recommend the Sun Oven, the Sport and the Hot Pot.  I haven't had much luck with pasta/rice, but anything slow cooked has worked like a charm.  I've even made banana bread in the Sun Oven.

Thanks!

Spiffsome

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2016, 12:41:51 AM »
I make tea using sun power. Fill a large jar with water, add a teabag (black or green) and put it on the windowsill for a few days. It will steep nicely then you can keep it in the fridge.

CLB

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Re: Making use of the sun power
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2016, 12:13:24 PM »
I make tea using sun power. Fill a large jar with water, add a teabag (black or green) and put it on the windowsill for a few days. It will steep nicely then you can keep it in the fridge.

You don't even need the sun to do that. You can put the jar anywhere ... in a closet, in a dim room, in a pantry or do what I do: just put the jar in the fridge and it'll brew. Plus it'll be cold once it's brewed.