Micro-CHP units in individual homes are half-nonsense, because...

Have to disagree here in USA circumstances. With most homes heated by natural gas (at least presently), the CHP unit does not necessarily mean more maintenance than present if current furnaces/boilers are swapped out with CHP. It also gives the homeowner electric power that is competitive with utility-based power (due to addition of taxes, etc), and also gives backup power during (the rare) outages.

Here in Connecticut, with some of the highest rates in the country (Long Island and Hawaii are the only higher areas), the CHP unit I'm installing will pay for itself in under 8 years. It helps that we have net-metering. If we could get hourly net-metering, the unit would pay for itself in probably 5 years or less.

Hi goinggreen,

thanks for the reply.

You are right - there are of course places and circumstances in which micro-CHP actually makes sense.

However, please note that what might make sense for you as an individual might not make sense for society. The capital cost point remains, as does the fuel switching point and the speed of propagation point.

Also, micro-CHP units are more complicated than simple gas boilers, so probably subject to more or more expensive maintenance.

Cheers,

Davidyson