The Rural Voice, 2003-04, Page 400 0 0
Safe & Professional
Dismantling of Barns & Wooden Structures
• Insured •
NOSTALGIC SALVAGE INC.
Danny Farrow
519-323-0175 565 Perth St. N., Mount Forest 1-888-643-8410
VANS & TRUCKS - WIDE CHOICE - BEST CHOICE
IN MOUNT FOREST
2002 CARAVAN SE
PW., PL., cruise, tilt, A.C., as low as 8,000 kms.,
remaining factory warranty.
-5f 38 to choose from $19,990.
2001 AND 2002 DODGE RAM TRUCKS 1500'S
Regular cabs, quad cabs, 4x4's, 2x4's, short
box, long box.
as low as $17,990.
• Many others to choose from • Bank financing available O.A.C.
ARTHUR CHRYSLER
Q SALES dic LEASING
wy. #6 North, MOUNT FOREST (519) 323-1981 or 1-800-461-2632
36 THE RURAL VOICE
most of his customers. It's like cars:
everyone drives them but not all of
us are mechanics. If you're going to
purchase a system, it is important to
have a qualified person install it, and
to have them on call in case there is a
problem.
Kim Delaney is one person who
relies on John's expertise and close
proximity. A horticulturalist by trade,
she admits she doesn't have the skills
to do her own repairs. Her Minto
Township home uses two types of
solar panels to supplement her energy
needs. On her roof, solar thermal
panels use biodegradable anti -freeze
heated up by the sun to provide hot
water through a heat exchanger
system. Fifty feet or so from the
house, a small array of photovoltaic
(solar electric) cells provide her with
electricity for lights, a computer, a
TV and satellite dish, and a modest
sound system. Like the Martin
household, her system utilizes a large
battery and a power inverter. She
keeps warm with a wood stove and
uses propane to cook and to power
"You really need to do
your research and
convey your needs"
her refrigerator.
Kim says trying to live off the
grid has presented her with a
few challenges. For one, she
has learned that items like the igniter
in her oven require a lot of energy.
"When I bought the oven, I
specifically asked the dealer if it
required any electricity, and he
assured me the need was minimal.
John came over one day and
informed me otherwise. It draws
1200 watts just to get the oven lit,
which is like turning on a hairdryer.
It the middle of winter, when there's
not much sunlight around here, that's
enough to flatten my battery. I found
out the hard way that you really need
to do your research, and convey to
salespeople how specific your needs
are."
Indeed, some items such as
hairdryers, toasters, curling irons,
vacuum cleaners and refrigerators
draw a lot of power, so unless your