[theultdev]

I see. For others with existing systems, you'd have to save $333/mo to break even over 3 years assuming a $12k install.

My combined gas and electric bills don't even reach $200/mo during peak months.

I'd expect that is why most people don't switch.

New installs, sure I think it makes sense.

[johnea]

In the long run, it all pays for itself. Every homeowner should pursue it. The sooner the better.

Especially once complete independence from an electric utility is achieved.

I totally agree with you that the time to install this stuff is at time of construction. Unfortunately real estate developers don't really care about how much it costs to _operate_ a building, they only care about building it as cheaply as possible, and selling for as high a price as possible.

The cost to increase insulation, add solar and batteries, all electric appliances, would all pay for itself over a decade or so.

Most homes in the US are occupied for many decades (not all by the same owner) so the savings are substantial over the lifetime of the building.

Of course, the consumer's savings are the electric utilities losses, and we know who has the pull in policy creation...

[theultdev]

You'd at best break even over the decade, that's not really a sound financial strategy.

And many of these things, like heat pumps last twice that at best, so you have to account for depreciation.

It's more economically sound to invest the money or pay off your auto loan / credit card bills.

It makes no sense to switch when you have a working system, only to replace a failing one or during construction.

See my comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44425004 for a breakdown of one scenario.

Again, I do think this tech is great, but I see no upside in switching when you have a working system.