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New England 2025 Warm Season Banter


bristolri_wx
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54 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

We’ve been seeing a ton of bear break-ins around Stowe.  They are getting into vehicles and even homes (all by opening doors).  I wish I could post videos… there’s two ring camera scenes of bears walking up to front doors in Stowe and just turning the handle and walking inside.

They have mastered car doors with an incredible efficiency.  7 cars got broken into last night in a condo complex.

The most startling one was at a local hotel, a bear broke into a car by opening the door, but then the door shut behind him.  Locking him in the vehicle.  The front desk got calls at 2am about a horn honking outside in the parking lot.

They find a bear in there honking but it absolutely totaled the vehicle on the inside.  He was trying to remove the door panels to get out.  They ended up popping the trunk and it barely got over the back seat and out.

IMG_4752.thumb.jpeg.2d3c942bd925aab1eaea6ff8ca836697.jpeg

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ummm, holy shit!

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1 hour ago, powderfreak said:

We’ve been seeing a ton of bear break-ins around Stowe.  They are getting into vehicles and even homes (all by opening doors).  I wish I could post videos… there’s two ring camera scenes of bears walking up to front doors in Stowe and just turning the handle and walking inside.

They have mastered car doors with an incredible efficiency.  7 cars got broken into last night in a condo complex.

The most startling one was at a local hotel, a bear broke into a car by opening the door, but then the door shut behind him.  Locking him in the vehicle.  The front desk got calls at 2am about a horn honking outside in the parking lot.

They find a bear in there honking but it absolutely totaled the vehicle on the inside.  He was trying to remove the door panels to get out.  They ended up popping the trunk and it barely got over the back seat and out.

IMG_4752.thumb.jpeg.2d3c942bd925aab1eaea6ff8ca836697.jpeg

IMG_4748.thumb.jpeg.6e5a7de11037bc069d1d05500d4f993e.jpeg
 

IMG_4747.thumb.jpeg.2cc0269e1631bd352873572746c9bbad.jpeg

 

IMG_4746.jpeg.652ae679e89065ebaadbac7a88d6c685.jpeg

IMG_4744.jpeg.c1e2b9adf17716d51898ff74e0752df3.jpeg
 

Are these people dressed up in bear costumes? 

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1 hour ago, powderfreak said:

“Man dressed in bear costume locks himself in vehicle, then destroys it” would be a much more catching story :lol:.

That car looks worse than one from which Customs dismantled to find all of the 100kg of meth.

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10 hours ago, powderfreak said:

We’ve been seeing a ton of bear break-ins around Stowe.  They are getting into vehicles and even homes (all by opening doors).  I wish I could post videos… there’s two ring camera scenes of bears walking up to front doors in Stowe and just turning the handle and walking inside.

They have mastered car doors with an incredible efficiency.  7 cars got broken into last night in a condo complex.

The most startling one was at a local hotel, a bear broke into a car by opening the door, but then the door shut behind him.  Locking him in the vehicle.  The front desk got calls at 2am about a horn honking outside in the parking lot.

They find a bear in there honking but it absolutely totaled the vehicle on the inside.  He was trying to remove the door panels to get out.  They ended up popping the trunk and it barely got over the back seat and out.

IMG_4752.thumb.jpeg.2d3c942bd925aab1eaea6ff8ca836697.jpeg

IMG_4748.thumb.jpeg.6e5a7de11037bc069d1d05500d4f993e.jpeg
 

IMG_4747.thumb.jpeg.2cc0269e1631bd352873572746c9bbad.jpeg

 

IMG_4746.jpeg.652ae679e89065ebaadbac7a88d6c685.jpeg

IMG_4744.jpeg.c1e2b9adf17716d51898ff74e0752df3.jpeg
 

Are the doors unlocked when they get in or are they able to get in anyway?

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On 5/11/2025 at 9:29 PM, bristolri_wx said:

I need to pick up some window air conditioners this season.  Unhappy with a GE unit I purchased last year.  What brands/models are folks having success with that last more than two or three seasons?  As much as I like to do things to help the environment, these high efficiency window units don't last like the units from the "good ole days".  And before you ask - can't afford mini-splits... yet...

Installing AC units is a PITA. Have you thought about a mini-split? I installed one for heat because my solar panels are overproducing, but it is so much better than window units and wasn't too difficult to install. I went with a Mr. Cool. 

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On 5/14/2025 at 5:45 AM, BrianW said:

Yeah. They are outstanding units that behave like a mini split. We have some of the most expensive electricty in the US in New England. Anyone not running one of these is just throwing money to Eversource. 

I don't think people realize how  expensive electricty in New England is compared to the US. 

Top 5 most expensive according to the EIA monthly data..

Hawaii .4269

Connecticut .3325

RI .3307

California .3166

MA .3044

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a

A traditional window AC unit just cycles the compressor on and off at full speed at like 800 watts. They usually end up running non-stop at like 800 watts when that much cooling power is often not necessary.

These Midea U are using variable speed dc fans and compressor. They  can throttle the compressor down to as low as like 150 watts and run up to max at the exact cooling load for the room. They are also like 10 times quieter at low speed. I

100%! I got so fed up with my monthly bill ageraging $230, I gave in, cut some trees and went with solar. If you do go with solar, buy it outright, and oversize it. It will take 6 years to pay for itself. I have a 7 pitch rear roof (30º) that's 10 degrees west of due south, so almost ideal, but I still have neighbors trees that affect my production, especially in October. 

Since my installation, my meter has been on the positive side of 0 for a few months, but I'm currently at 99,335, and I'm at $295 in credit according to my last bill. If I can accurately calculate how much to use for heat, I shouldn't have another electric bill for as long as I live here. 

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53 minutes ago, MarkO said:

Installing AC units is a PITA. Have you thought about a mini-split? I installed one for heat because my solar panels are overproducing, but it is so much better than window units and wasn't too difficult to install. I went with a Mr. Cool. 

Did you have an electrician wire a line for it?

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15 hours ago, Brewbeer said:

this.  did this 8 years ago, haven't paid an electric bill in 8 years, currently have a $1k credit with Eversource and it is peak generating season and the ACs still aren't installed yet :D

 

 

 

I've also noticed the solar panels keep my roof cooler, so it's a win/win. I'm only at $295 credit on my latest bill, but that will probably increase by a few more hundred come September. 

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On 5/11/2025 at 10:20 PM, mreaves said:

I can’t recommend the Midea u-shaped AC high enough. Quiet and efficient. I’ve had one for 2 years and I love it. 
image.jpeg.247f1556d569c6950dc514baee5ce5f9.jpeg

 

On 5/12/2025 at 7:39 AM, SJonesWX said:

same here

 

On 5/12/2025 at 12:53 PM, backedgeapproaching said:

I have 4 units, its amazing how much more efficient they are at cooling my house. Keeps whole house comfortable.  Previously had 3 older window units and a Portable AC it's laugable how much better the Midea's are. The Portable AC was absolutely awful. 

 

On 5/13/2025 at 8:59 PM, bristolri_wx said:

Thanks everyone for the suggestion of the Midea's.  I have seen those on Amazon.  Is the install as easy as a standard window unit with the U shape of these?

Welp.  The Mideas have been recalled.

Midea Recall

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1 hour ago, mreaves said:

 

 

 

Welp.  The Mideas have been recalled.

Midea Recall

Yea, I saw that..oof.  I took mine apart as much as I could and did a bleach cleaning and let it dry.  I think every window AC prob has some type of issue with water and some mold, but yea looks like a design flaw.

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3 hours ago, mreaves said:

 

 

 

Welp.  The Mideas have been recalled.

Midea Recall

Yes, I saw that.  Mold-city!

I ended up getting 3 of these at BJ's:

https://www.bjs.com/product/midea-smart-8000-btu-window-air-conditioner/3000000000004840251/

They were on sale for $189 until this past Sunday.  Not the ideal solution, but they are working better than the 2 Honeywell portables and 1 Zenith/LG window unit I had that is from 2002 that seemed to be on their last legs this summer.  Will see how they all hold up next week.  The inverter window units looked a little to complicated for me to install at this time - I'm not that handy.  Hopefully what I have will work until I'm ready to get mini-splits or something similar.

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10 hours ago, backedgeapproaching said:

Yea, I saw that..oof.  I took mine apart as much as I could and did a bleach cleaning and let it dry.  I think every window AC prob has some type of issue with water and some mold, but yea looks like a design flaw.

I filed for the money. Mine didn’t seem to be cooling right anyway so I figured might as well get paid. I threw the old unit in for now. Haven’t really needed it. 

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15 minutes ago, Brewbeer said:

It's here !  done

put both units in this evening, took about 40 minutes, identical LG units 8,000 BTUs about 8 years old purchased from costco.  they are showing their age

 

Unfortunately, window units have 10 to 12 year lifespan in my experience.  

 

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