What a horrible experience.  Sounds like it helped you to re-evaluate everything and make some different choices.  I commend you on going green.  As for the 13 year old freezer, don't you wish they made things as well as they did in the past?  Way to be positive!

Gotta love it.   I'm emailing my insurance agent now to ask about H15 coverage!  It's good to hear someone making a positive change in this kind of situation. =)  But I expect nothing less from you!

Enjoy your lemonade on the hot summer days.  And enjoy your green conversions.  We've started that same process.

Missy what a hard way to go green! We have already done the light bulbs a few weeks ago. Hopefully with the new surge protector on the house you won't have this happen again.

Missy - What a hassle! It sounds like you're making some positive changes. I did not know about the H15 rider; now I will check on it.

Bummer, but it does sound like you are making lemonade out of lemons.  Congrats on going green! As things go out on our 10 year old house we are trying to update to more energy efficient also; which would be the A/C and windows so far.  I expect the hot water heater here soon; a little scary that it is in the attic.

We had a lightening strike and lost  a Dell printer which was a bummer as we replaced with exactly the same thing.  We had it on surge protection but it came through our cable.  We now have DSL.  I guess I should not feel bad about one printer you wiped out quite a few items.

Missy,   Isn't Edison stepping up to the plate, or will the insurance company go after them?  BTW, I like the new widget.

Had the same issue but a lightning strike. My insurance company came through and paid for everything...even $500 for a tree in the backyard. I'm going to check into that H15 thing. Thanks

Missy.....   yes, so many are going green now and we need to move forward and look forward. I agree, it certainly sounds like a big hassle. And how funny is it that an older item makes it threw this whole ordeal. A little secret.....  some of the older appliances where made to last longer. They caught on....  ;o)   Profit and this doesn't come by the route of longevity, as sad as it may sound.

Missy,

Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to imagine what that was like. And on top of everything else you've been through in your family, yet things could be worse, right?  Two good things; it must have created a sales boost to local merchants and it sounds like a lot more folks are purchasing more efficient appliances.

Oh and one more thing, I don't think those old freezer in the garage every die! We still have one in my mom's garage.

I am so sorry you had to go through this - If I am reading between the lines... you may have purchased a front loader washer - I picked one when I replaced my washer - because of the amount of water and detergent it did not put into my septic system

I am glad to hear that things are working out.  What a horrible experience.  It is a great opportunity to go GREEN! 

Missy - what a great post - I need to look into a whole house surge protector since we are in like the lightening capital of the world here - what does something like that  cost? Do you know yet - if not let me know when you find out. Thanks   

Missy - replacing all those items must have been mighty expensive, but some good came out of it. Now you will have more efficient appliances thus less need for energy.  Being forced to go green is certainly not a bad thing.

Missy~

.3 cheers and a big Green Thumbs up for your energy efficient upgrades!! YAY-YAY-Yeah!

I had a neighbor lose their new refrigerator due to a power outage and the power company bought them a new one and well as replacing another friends TV.  I have never heard of someone losing so many items at once.  Wow.

Missy, I received this in my email earlier today... I though of creating a post out of it, but I don't like to just post stuff that floats around the Internet - however, I thought this would be the perfect place to use it as a comment...

If you don't think it is appropriate, please feel free to delete.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

House #1 A 20 room mansion (  not including 8 bathrooms ) heated by
natural gas. Add on  a pool ( and a pool house) and a separate guest
house, all heated by gas.  In one month this residence consumes more 
energy than the average American household does in a  year.  The
average bill for electricity and natural gas  runs over $2400.  In
natural gas alone, this property consumes  more  than 20 times the
national average for an American home.  This house is not situated
in a Northern or Midwestern "snow belt" area. It's in the South.     

     


House #2 Designed by an architecture professor st a
leading national university.  This house  incorporates every
"green" feature current home construction can  provide.  The house is
4,000 square feet ( 4 bedrooms ) and  is nestled on a high prairie in the
American  southwest.  A central closet in the house holds  geothermal
heat-pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk  300 feet into the
ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F. )  heats the house in the winter
and cools it in the summer.  The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or
natural gas and it consumes one-quarter electricity required for a
conventional heating/cooling system.  Rainwater from the roof is collected
and funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern.  Wastewater from
showers, sinks and  toilets goes into underground purifying tanks and then
into the  cistern.  The collected water then irrigates the land 
surrounding the house.   Surrounding flowers and shrubs native to the area
enable the property to blend into the  surrounding rural landscape.     

~~~~~
HOUSE #1 is outside of Nashville , Tennessee; it is the abode of 
the  "environmentalist" Al Gore.   

HOUSE #2 is on  a ranch near Crawford,
Texas ; it is the residence the of the President of the United States ,
George W. Bush.   

An "inconvenient truth." 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now Have a Blessed Day,

by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®  
Mission Grove Realty  
Preforeclosure Specialist

Missy:  At first, I thought you were saying that you without them while the electricty was out - but to have them destroyed - what a pain.  As always, you seem to have a great attitude about it and making it the best possible experience.  I also learned more about energy efficient appliances by your post.  Thanks.

Missy,

I remember last week when you called me about that...especially tough when your daughter wanted to get comfortable at home and now she couldn't. We have solar panels for our pool ..it saved us about $1200 in gas heating for the pool...great thing for free energy and good for the environment. Not sure how many of my appliances are gauged that way...but we are looking to replace some.

John, the pictures you added aren't showing up, can you resubmit them ?

Valerie, that's what the electrician told me, the old ones last longer. They are manufactured differently.

Leigh, thanks for the compliment, it took a few days to write this, because had to have a attitude check. Actually, it was nothing compared to dealing with Allyssa, just NOT good timing.

Larry, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh love fresh lemonade !!

Ashley, we are slowly converting too.

Paula, :)

Marchel, all our computers and printers were on surge protectors too, but I only lost mine. The Dell warranty expired 3 days earlier.

Gary, I am going to call DTE, after I get my settlement and see if they will cover the items not covered by AAA.

Missy, what a total pain in the butt that is!  I'm surprised to hear you're having to deal with your insurance company on this and that the power company isn't having to step up to the plate.  Maybe your insurance company is easier to deal with?  Seems the power company certainly would have come culpability in this.

As I've had to replace appliances, etc., I've chosen the Energy Star ones, not really thinking about 'going green', but the cost savings in using them. 

I did not know about a "H15" insurance rider - will check that out.  Thanks for mentioning that!

Ann

Jeff, yea amazing isn't it ? I don't understand how in the same outlet some go out and some work. I don't understand electricity at all.

Lynda, yea the old things are still cranking, computers, freezers, dishwasher etc.

Thesa, no I purchased a top loader that uses the same amount as a front loader, I hate bending over but it is good on the septic field.....less water.

Joan, that is what I thought.

Cathy, your welcome.

Neal, anytime you need me for WIR, let me know, my computer is up and running. The solar panels on your pool sound neat. People in Michigan have to use heaters most of the summer. But, hey, your in lovely Florida.

Missy--How awful! And not even due to a storm either! Can you file a claim for damage with the power company like you can in MN? We are able to here when they caused the outage...Storm damage is different. Frustrating all the way around...But good of you to remain positive and think of the environment!:)

Teri, I am going to try and have them pick up what my insurance won't cover.

Wow, I can't imagine a power surge taking out this many appliances...OUCH!!!!

Missy, I am so glad you wrote this post, I need to run down and buy a new refrigerator soon.

Chris, me either.

Mana, good glad it helped.  Widgey

Hey Missy,

You guys have some real crappy luck but I am glad you can see some positive out of this. 

Never heard of H 15 - have to check that out.

We had a whole house surge protector put in some years back (a necessity here in lightning land). Had one hit that toasted the surge protector and char marks up the outside wall of the garage, but didn't even touch any of our appliances or computer equipment. Called Ditek and they custom built a replacement and had it installed within 24 hours - and didn't charge a penny. I'm a raving fan customer for life. 

Missy, how did I miss this post?  I can't believe so many things went out at once!  Sounds like my house.  Argh.  I think it's awesome that you went ahead and did Energy Star appliances.  They seem to be quieter too. 

I'm waiting on my range to kick the bucket any day now.  Already shopping prices.  :) 

That's just unbelievable.  8 day old Washer?  I hope they didn't make you pay for another one.

Jeff, not sure I can take much more.

Sharon, that's good to know. Mine was suppose to be installed today but they didn't show up. So maybe tomorrow.

Stephanie, I bought a warranty something I never do, so yes it is covered, but the laundry is once again piling up.

Missy - how ironic that a power outage, of all things, has brought the good fortune of energy saving appliances! You'll get through it but what a mess! I don't envy you! Maybe when it's all over you should send Detroit Edison a thank you note for helping reduce your expenses!

Mary, that's a great way to look at it. I was thinking of sending THEM a bill, first !

Missy, thanks for posting this; I too have not heard of an H-15 rider on an insurance policy, but I'll ask my insurance agent at this morning's BNI chapter breakfast.

Mike in Tucson 

Mike, let me know what he says, thanks.

Missy, hard way to upgrade.  I didn't have an outage, but had to buy a new washer and dryer - energy efficient, quiet, front loader, and great on the clothes.  Had to help a friend a few months ago, when they had a power surge.  I've never heard of a whole house power surger.  Great idea.

Missy,

Sorry to hear you lost so many appliances - you have had a tough few weeks!  I wish you nothing but smooth sailing for a while.  Great to hear you saw this as an opportunity to go green. 

Hi Missy,
Something we all should be striving for, good for you. Sorry you lost so much, hope the HO insurance helped with that.

Last week when our temps were in the upper 90s, I was afraid of losing power but we were lucky.

I did not think that could happen - I hope insurance covers. I am in the habit of unplugging everything but not major appliances.

Kay, I will let you know how it goes, during our first storm. My sister in law in D.C told me about it. Up there the electric company adds them for 5.00 per month.

Rita, yes the last month has been a bugger.

Cynthia, you never know when everyone is running ac at the maximum.

Rebecca, I unplug everything but the major appliances too.

Missy,

Wow, I missed this....you are an unbelievable person,  So many crisis lately yet you are so positive........Maybe you can hire Erin Brockowich she is good at going after these big companies for the damage they do :) :)

Mark your calendar that no more bad things can happen in September....you have used them all up in July and August :)

From your mouth ( words ) to Gods' ears.

Missy...

Well. This really sucks. I am wondering if you have called Detroit Edison?

I had something similar happen and the power company stepped up and paid the bill.

TLW...ROAR!

TLW, I am waiting until I see what my insurance company will pay but it won't be the sound system, TV's. etc.

That's a creative way to get all new stuff Missy!  Ugghhh....  the frustration  and heat must've been a bit annoying but hopefully you're insurance company will come through.  I'm always amazed at how much "you don't know" with the insurance policies you pay dearly for in every fashion!!

Enjoy your new GREEN WAY OF LIFE!! 

Susie, yes we assume our agents are giving us the best. But, we who are in Real estate should read the contract more often.

Missy,

I believe Green is going to be huge.  It has been there for awhile, people are just now starting to become aware of it.  I will say this.  I listed a home that had "green" features and because of the extra added things they did including the energy star appliances etc... their gas bill in the winter was $80/mo while mine was $150/mo.  The savings in one month was enough to make me see the benefits of "green".