We went to an open day put on by the local firm who fitted our solar panels and air source heat pump. We were interested in looking at electric cars and taking a test drive. But what a price! I'm going to wait for the technology to develop and the price to drop (by a substantial amount.)
BUT, on our way out there was a display about converting Aga cookers to electricity. Convert my greedy, oil-guzzling Aga to run off the solar panels on our roof? Yes please!
Last week the workmen came. They arrived dressed in dark clothes. Our Aga is old, built in the '50's with Fuller's earth used as insulation.
They set to work dismantling the various parts. They had a very large vacuum cleaner for removing the earth. Can you see the navy jeans that have already gone beige? That young man went home at the end of the day covered in Fuller's earth, I should have photographed him then!
It was fascinating to look inside. I've been cooking on this machine for over thirty-four years. The workman told me it would,"see me out"!
When you look at the individual components you can tell that it was built to last!
Finally it was time to put in some 21st century insulation
and start to put the cooker back together again.
We are now an oil-free household!
Aga-Saga!
ReplyDeleteNot quite the usual Aga Saga, but all you'll get from me!
DeleteBuilt to last is not in the vocabulary these days.
ReplyDeleteOh, don't I know it, Doc, but just how short a life some gadgets are expected to have really disgusts me - I hang on to everything for as long as I can.
DeleteStunned that you can now cook by solar on your Aga! WOW.
ReplyDelete(Curious, I appreciated the look inside...)
Well, more accurately I now cook by electricity, but we do generate it with our solar panels. Now we are looking into adding a few more panels so that we will have adequate supplies during the winter months.
DeleteI shouldn't think solar power will help much this week! Fascinating to see the insides of your Aga - who knew!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't have to be sunny to generate electricity (luckily!) but it helps!
DeleteWe were fascinated to look inside at the guts of a machine that has been part of our lives for so long. Very solid stuff!
wow! Good for you!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's working well, Wendy.
DeleteThe whole Aga thing is quite a mystery to me so this is really fascinating both to see the inside and to know it can be converted to solar. It's so 21st Century! Who could have imagined it would be filled with Fuller's earth? This is the earth of my ancestors.
ReplyDeleteEarth of your ancestors? Tell me the story, Steve.
DeleteWe have solar panels on our roof but no Aga, should like to have one. I learned to cook with an Aga when I was in England, but you don't often see them in our country.
ReplyDeleteGood idea to convert it to solar.
I'm pleased with the result, Janneke, it is more responsive and should be a whole lot cheaper to run.
DeleteGosh, you've got an AGA! And now even one that doesn't need oil. Well, I'm green too... of envy *LoL*.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
Alex
And it will no longer need to be serviced every six months - how good is that!
DeleteIt's actually brilliant that aside from powering up your house via the sun's rays, you can get the sun to cook your food for you. Not only are your saving on electricity costs, but on gas as well! Now, if everyone could avail of such options, I'm sure they'd love to switch to solar too. Thanks for sharing your idea!
ReplyDeleteJohnie Schueller @ Terratek Energy Solutions
Hi, yours is one of the few blogs about connecting an aga to solar pv which is a fascinating idea. I'd love it if you might be able to post some more info as my wife would love one but I find the costs offputting. Would you be able to elaborate on the savings you have made? Is it possible to make your aga store the heat in the day and tick over at night? Cheers Andy
ReplyDelete