On (06 Oct 96) Elaine Roberts wrote to Ian Woofenden...
 IW> We have the Aquastar 120 and we're quite happy with it.
 ER> Appreciate your response.
 ER> Your signature doesn't say where you're from.  I imagine these
 ER> water heaters would be available all over the States, would it
 ER> not?
 ER> We are looking to install it in a Mobile in Florida.
I'm in Washington state. They are available all over. Actually,
CTTOI, I'm a dealer for an AE company that carries the two major
brands. Send me netmail if you want pricing.
Take care---------------

FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 272 HOME POWER    Ref: DEH00001 Date: 10/09/96
From: ARLO HAGLER                                           Time: 08:41pm
\/To: DAVE HALLIDAY                                       (Read 3 times)
Subj: HYDROGEN              1/2

 DH> People who advocate a total withdrawal from non-renewable energy 
 DH> sources are shooting themselves and the cause in the foot...  
 DH> 
In your humble opinion? :)
 DH> True - however, I still hold to my thought that generating hydrogen, 
 DH> storing it and then converting it back into energy is not at all 
 DH> efficient given todays technology.
 DH> A high-tech hydrogen / fuel cell setup would require almost daily 
 DH> maintenance.
That may not always be true. Don't underestimate the bright girls and boys 
at the forefront of research. 
True. You can't just order such a device at local RE supplier, YET.
Not long ago we didn't have true sine wave inverters. As soon as the tech 
problems are solved and someone goes into production with the result, you 
can bet there will be a market, particularly among rural RE users.
Though it may happen sooner with methane, or ...
 DH> > DH> Any excess power will be needed for evening and cloudy days - 
 DH> not
 DH>   > DH> pissing it away on something that will yield at best a 20% 
 DH> return
That is up to the user. And try to remember, I said 'excess'.
 
DH> Plus, the deep-cycle batteries are a lot more efficient
 Any RE home owner can tell you, electricity is the least efficient way to 
heat and/or cook. If you were to use electric heating, range, dryer, water 
heater, etc., You would need a god-awful lot of batteries, and a much 
larger inverter, or inverters.
 DH>  I think that a more realistic goal would be to severely curtail our 
 DH> use of non-renewable fuels but to still continue using them where 
 DH> they represent the best solution. Cutting off entirely is unrealistic
I agree. To dump one system w/o a replacement in place would be very 
foolish. But I never suggested such a thing, so, no problem.
Propane serves at present, in my area. As you say, it is currently the 
cheapest thing available, But in time it will not be so cheap. Indeed, the 
time will come when it is not available at all. That is why it is called 
'non-renewable'. And who is going to let us know when we're nearly out? 
The government, perhaps? I would prefer not to be caught with my 
figurative pants down, thank you. Yes, at present I will continue to use 
LP, but I refuse to throw a wet blanket on the possibility of a sustaiable 
alternative. As soon as the tech is there, affordable and reliable, I am 
sure a significant number 'round here will make the switch, myself 
included.
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