Small Moves You Can Take at Home to Conserve
These gadgets save power without breaking the bank
Most people concerned about greenhouse gases know to install compact fluorescent light bulbs and shop for Energy Star appliances. Some might invest in getting their electricity from the sun or wind, but those expensive options can take decades to pay back. Gadget makers are offering new ways to cut energy use today with much smaller outlays. Most pay for themselves in saved energy and offer benefits of less noise, more natural light, or greater convenience.
Know the enemy. Simple meters can help identify energy hogs. The Kill A Watt (about $25 online) monitors the electricity used at one outlet. The EZ model ($40 online) stores the data for easier viewing and calculates electrical costs. The Energy Detective ($140) monitors a whole house's electrical use.
Vampire power. Even when switched off, most electronics continue sucking small streams of current. That phantom load can consume 5 to 20 percent of a home's total electrical bill. The Bye Bye Standby starter kit (about $30) uses a wireless remote control to completely cut power to two outlets. Cover additional sockets for $15 each. The Smart Strip ($33 and up) automatically senses when a primary device, such as a computer or television, is shut off and cuts power to peripherals, such as a monitor or cable box.
Sun power. Skylights use sunshine to cut energy use, but you can't put them everywhere. The Solatube ($300 and up) gathers and delivers sunlight through a long reflective tube to many areas of a home while leaving the heat outside. The Voltaic Generator ($600 later this spring) will be the first bag to collect enough solar juice to power a laptop.
Wind power. Efficient wind turbines are dotting the landscape. But their big towers limit them to rural areas or homes on large lots, and it can take years to recoup their cost. The HYmini ($50) can put wind power into a handset. A battery stores electricity for small devices, such as cellphones, and can be charged from an outlet.
Quiet cuts. Rechargeable lawn mowers not only cut more cheaply than conventional, gas-powered models, but they're quieter and require much less maintenance. The Black & Decker CMM1200 ($400) packs enough of a charge to cut a third of an acre. It's also the first mower to earn an Energy Star rating.
Endless hot water. Tankless heaters deliver water on demand, instead of repeatedly warming a full tank. In southern climates, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 (about $350) can provide enough water for one satisfying shower at a time. The Rheem RTG-53 (about $800) can supply two showers at a time, including north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Flat and frugal. LCD panels consume less electricity than plasmas, and the Philips 42pfl5603d Eco tv ($1,400) achieves new efficiency. The 42-inch screen senses room light, dimming its backlighting when appropriate to use less than 100 watts. That's less than half of what other LCDs continually consume. And when switched off, the TV draws less than 1 watt. All this with a top-quality, high-definition picture.
Reader Comments
world court, war criminals, trials
can bush give pardons to his entire gang? would they be reconized?
Driving a Stake Through the Vampires
After nearly fainting this morning when I saw my e-bill from San Diego Gas and Electric, I am looking into getting rid of my vampires. Thanks for this article.
IdealInvestment.blogspot.com
Great post!
Would be even better with links to all the products.
Re; Wind Turbines (and "wind bags.)
For information on wind turbines I'd check out "Popular Mechanic's" website. From what I understand these wind turbines are pretty big and still very expensive (I read somewhere that it could take in excess of a decade to recoup the costs.) As far as permits are concerned, most counties can be a real pain in the rear about issuing them (or even agreeing between different agencies to issue them) and like to fleece you in the process by charging you for all kinds of “environmental” and “geological” surveys on top of the cost of the permit (if you are lucky enough to even get one, particularly if you want to put one in Nantucket Sound, about six miles off the coast from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis…heh.) As for the “wind bags” who have posted the BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) comments and the meaningless Arabic language crap (in response to an English language post) please try to use your miniscule minds to stay on topic…idiots, hopefully your worthless comments will have been removed the next time I check back. If you want to post garbage, go to the Daily Kos.
World Court
I got a summons to appear there for speeding once and blew it off. Now I'm in hiding.
OT: To save electricity, I run an extension cord to my neighbor's porch outlet.
Real Freedom
Real freedom doesn't mean you can cry "fire!" in a crowded theater or own an assault rifle. The most real freedom we can now achieve is freedom from foreign oil. If Obama is elected we will finally get that freedom because he will *change* our energy policy and make the tips provided in this article mandatory for every American household!
Conspicuous Consumption for Enviro-Snobs
$600 to charge your laptop from the sun? You've got to be nuts to buy that.
In fact most (but not all!) of these gizmos are just status symbols with no financial or environmental justification. Guess the payback is really "psychic income."
But hey, it's your money.
@Real Freedom
Real Freedom means that when you have the balls to come take my assault rifle and voicebox away yourself, I can cure your intra-cranial lead deficiency.
A great way to cut your summer AC cost's
My first visit to your site. I was going to add a great way to save $$$ for very little money, but with only two thoughtful comments posted. All I read about was blame, hate , & complaining.
So I'll keep it to myself.
Enjoy your higher cost's this summer.
jackass of NJ
"So I'll keep it to myself.
Enjoy your higher cost's this summer. "
In other words, since your comments got hijacked by idiots, I will be keeping my highly informative information from those who have nothing to do with it.
Do as we say, not as we do
How much energy would be "Saved" if a newspaper was not printed for a week? Just think of all the trees that would be saved alone!
And why do we need to conserve? Are there global brown outs? Energy is produced on-demand anyway, excess generation capacity, if any, is sold to other markets because its easier (and cheaper) than building new generation capacity.
more small moves
Ceiling fans (any fans) don't cool, the cool you while you're in the room, and heat the room whenever they're running.
Your basement is always cooler. Stand on the steps with the door slightly open while your A/C is on. There's a gush of cold air flowing down like water leaking through. Seal that door! My basement is now warm - that tells me something.
Put a screen door in between your garage & laudry room. The dryer will suck in air from the outside, rather than your comfort area.
Re: Diana Moon Glampers of PA
Uh...let me see if I understand this, real "freedom" is making windmill technology mandatory, and not being allowed to own an assault rifle for home defense??? I think what you really mean is; real “totalitarianism”!!! Real freedom is being able to make a choice in whether to go for wind technology or perhaps going solar, some regions are better suited than others for a specific technology. I think that a combination of technologies would be ideal, let’s also not forget about geothermal and home made bio-diesel. As a matter of fact, if we want to tout real freedom, let’s remove all of the government imposed restrictions and taxes on home generated energy, now that’s what I’d call “real freedom” as well as some incentive to go to alternatives. As for Obama, thanks for letting me know who not to vote for, if we really wanted near term energy independence we’d be drilling for oil off our coasts and in Alaska.
Re
world court, war criminals, trials
can bush give pardons to his entire gang? would they be reconized?
And this has exactly WHAT to do with saving energy costs? Tard!
Rechargeable mowers
Even better than an elctric mower, is a manual reel mower. No enery use at all. It's quieter, safer, and environmentally cleaner than any other alternative. And, it does a great job mowing the grass as well.
Energy bill
My energy bill shows that we used $20 less than neighbors with same set up as us. We must be doing something right like not keeping lights on all the time or owning an LCD/Plasma TV. What I am saying is this is not MY fault!
off topic. Freedom also means being able to double post
Energy Savings
Energy saving is best shown on our bottom-line when your bill shows up at the end of the month. We should also discuss the earth's core heat being used to save us energy. I understand this may be the best idea especially if we can run the system using solar or wind power. What are your thoughts?? (besides religion)
JW
Energy Bill
What the heck Mostafa? English is the primary language here - if you have something to say?say it in English!
Short term savings?
How funny it is that to install energy saving devices we must spend a tremendous amount of money on these gadgets. Where are the savings after all?. The makers of these gadgets laugh all the way to the bank because they are taking advantage of our ignorance and fears. Who says that the U. S. is not the perfect place to make money under our freedom to let others dig into our packets in such a blatant way?. And for the restrictions on drilling off our coasts and in Alaska, blame it on our anti-american environmentalists (Al Gore, et. al) and coward members of Congress (the Democrats) and the socialist Media.
Energy
Since this subject matter has been turned into a large collection of empty comments and politics ... few will benefit from the cumulative savings possible.
As for the politics, none of the 3 are worth a damn and each has their own agenda in selling the country to the highest bidder and stuffing their pockets.
What I see here is more dangerous than any terrorist this nation may face.
What I see here is growing APATHY and the ' give me mindset ' . GOD help these United States.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759
Semper Fi
MACS 26 2nd Air Wing
wind power
I cannot help but think that the "electric companies" are against wind power. Who stands to lose? Why? They have to buy the amount of electricity you don't use. Why so negative? Why do they always say it too expensive, what about my electric bill today? We put toys on Mars surely we can work together and provide cheap electric power with no harmfull side effects. It's all about money. Doesn't matter if it is the electric company or gasoline czars, it is all about money and the bulk of the money hungry politicans we put into their palace are not worried about us. Something is very wrong here. The system is broken and needs repair.
prices
soon one will have to pay to breath
High Energy Cost
We Are Not All ediots! Please , If you know how to save energy,Spead the word. Some of us really want to know! I hate when a small few makes it hard on everyone else. Please, help us help the World !!!!!!
tips on conserving
I am very unthoughtful.. I have tried and failed at unplugging the appliance when not in use.. maybe when my 480.00 e-bill rolls in I try some more.. living in Az.. sucks.. the cost of living, the cost of food,the energy cost and now the gasoline prices.. My husbands health is the only reason we stay here or otherwise I would definitely pack up and move back to Ky.
Oops! It looks like I wrote a blog, not merely a comment.
It's too bad that some inconsiderate people have tried to take the thread off-task. Perhaps they were absent the day their local elementary school taught manners and respect. However, I read to the end of the comments and most were interesting.
Manual reel lawn mower? I used one when I was a stay-at-home mom with less about 1/3 an acre of grass. Now I work outside the home and have about 3/4 of an acre of grass and can't even imagine how much time it would take to cut the grass with one of those. It takes us an hour for the front yard and two hours for the back yard as it is...
Bummer that it's the refrigerators bought before 1993--I was hoping I'd need to buy a new one. LOL I guess this one will be good for a few more years. I did get rid of my heavy metal antique freezer a few years ago--it worked beatifully, but I suspect it sucked tons of electricity.
Flourescent lights are NOT good for some people with Irlen Syndrome and/or those with some neurological disorders. They can cause shadows to appear, headaches, and the minute flickering can trigger seizures. So test them out...we've found that we can use the twisty flourescent bulbs in hallways, utility rooms and outdoors--but not in the house. They make me crazy--it's actually painful. However, I can put them in my daughter's room (they don't bother her) because I don't spend vast amounts of time in there. I don't have such a strong reaction to the twisty bulbs that look like regular bulbs. It costs a little to experiment, but it's worth it. (I also have a small flourescent bulb under the counter in the kitchen. I can handle it because the fixture is not exposed. I couldn't deal with the flourescent lights in the ceiling and we had to replace the fixtures.)
As for gasoline/diesel usage...we have Park-n-Ride lots all over this city. Considering the use I've observed, they have cut down significantly on air pollution and fuel consumption. I don't use one...I live 11.1 miles from my job, 1 mile from shopping, and 10 miles from church--when I'm feeling the pinch, I'll air up the tires on my bicycle. (My 17 yr old daughter already uses her bike when she goes to the store...no driver's license. It works for us.) I foresee a time when we'll both use our bicycles when the weather is nice...or at least not freezing. Here in Texas, that could be 10 months out of the year. We'll have to get used to getting ready and leaving earlier, but it's doable.
To noank of NV..."Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Oh, my! He couldn't have said it better! We are in a political bind...and a financial bind...and an energy bind. Last week, when I griped about the cost of groceries, my son told me I'd been predicting it for a year and asked why I was complaining. He's right...I had been and now it is here. I guess I was hoping that I was wrong.
Saving Electric
For a long time now I have been using a power strip...simply because with computers....and with tvs..and all the wires and gadjets used that go with them....I can turn the power strip off and on when needed ..therefore I do not waste electric for all that to be in a READY mode.
Hope it helps.
Are these tips?
I read a lot of worthless garble. The old fashioned lawn mower was the only "tip" that I read. The other posts belonged on a political site.
Thanks for the Tips
Actually I wrote down many products and ideas that were listed in this article. We have to help ourselves as we cannot rely on the government or politicians for any assisstance.. I liked the rechargeable mower. With gas prices what they are - 3.41 here in Mo and rising - it will definetly pay for itself this summer. I'm also going to see if I can work 4 ten hour days instead of 5. That would save on gas driving to work.. I'm using canvas bags for groceries instead of accumulating hundreds of plastic bags. I work at a supermarket and lots of people are using these. We switched last year to the curly light bulbs in most of our lamps at home. It's not a matter anymore of saving the environment - it's spending our money more wisely with the increase of gas, food, and propane that we use. There's a lot of food that you can cut out.. Soda - just drink water.. Chips, they're really not good for you. Red meat - maybe once a week. Shop the sale items and stock up on them.. Not hoarding. Produce is good for you. Buy more of that than fast foods- frozen dinners that are loaded with salt.. It will take some real soul-searching and figuring out what we can do without, but it can be done - has to be done.
The Real Costs to the Eco-Minded Consumer?
Keep in mind that the manual for the Kill-A-Watt indicates that you should let your tests run for a "period of time" ("the longer, the better") to get a "true indication" of actual usage of an appliance, which means that such appliances that cycle on and off could take up to a month to determine an accurate power consumption rate, in order for you to see how much energy you're using in a year. So, depending on how many items you have to test in your home (and how many others you buy throughout the year and test when you bring them home), it may take you almost a year to find out how much it's costing you.
Upon reading the users manual for the Kill-A-Watt, it indicates that it uses 10Watts, which comes to 87.6KWH per year. At a low rate of 14-cents/KWH, that comes to 12.26/year.
So, to find out that your microwave oven display clock is costing you $2/year or a 4W night-light is costing you $3/year or that your 5W desk lamp is costing you $6 year (if these were all left on 24/7), you have used more power trying to determine how much you can save, than it cost you to determine the costs of those units.
When you're doing your cost analysis, don't forget to add in the $20 average cost of the unit... after all, those pennies add up. Has anyone asked how much energy the manufacturer is using in a year, to build these units? How much is this adding to the "greenhouse effect" on the Earth's environment.
And while we're calculating the costs to the consumer... it would be interesting to find out if the company received any federal grants to design & build the device and if they get tax credits/deductions for their contribution of an energy-saving device. If so, then we would have to determine how much this is costing the average taxpayer each year.
How much would we all save if we threw out our computers? Instead of sitting here reading about how much energy we could save by buying one of these units and unplugging our microwave or toaster when not in use. Of course, that would lead to more landfill rubbish and the environmental problems that would cause... and the cycle continues... we're doomed?
Expensive!!!!
If you think that food is expensive and gasoline is out of sight.... that is only the start.
Watch the price of water. Big money investors are buying control of water companies and water rights.
If you live wher you can have a subsistence garden, look into greywater systems.
If you live where you can have only a small garden, look into a recycle of your water. Do Not recyle garbage disposal water, it is considered BLACK water .. as is comode water.
We can make a change if we try
It seems to me the real need for change, ability to save energy, cut costs, as well as restore faith in a secure and positive future for America, lays with regulating the government and industrial sectors. These are the two wolves that can be tamed and must be soon. We the people need to monitor our government, and this government needs to monitor the corporate and military sectors more effectively. Every government employee should be accountable for their
work and be paid according to their performance (and reprimanded if needed). We the people are their employers, and the creators of our laws, or at least we should / can be. We should review all the rules / laws on the books legislate these by popular vote done incrementally on a monthly basis, adding new ones in a similar fashion. The new advances in telecommunications makes this
possible, as never before in our history. Then we the people should do the same for the rules concerning all non-private sector scenarios.
If we can wean off any gluttony, laziness, greed, and negativity, then we can make a difference that is lasting and healthy. Moderation, balance, and honesty are elements in our society that face extinction, it seems. Saving in energy costs will benefit the entire world, if done correctly. It could also pollute it and cause reason for unnecessary death and destruction. The answer is simple: know and be ourselves, while choosing to do the right thing (as outlined by our super-ego
/ greater man / holy spirit / etc.).
Just as we should not be forced into doing the right thing by a totalitarian government, we need to allow for differences amongst individuals in our and other societies, and preserve everyone's freedoms who abide by our mutually agreed upon rules. The time has come to return to the tenants of our founding fathers, review the changes made through time for current relevance, and be the person / country we want to become.
Consider these cost saving tips:
-Ban law office advertisements designed to enlist large class-action suits (and legal fees in the process). These generate huge costs to every consumer indirectly.
-Encourage government subsidies for purchases and upgrades that result in tangible energy efficiency and conservation (instead of an extremely limited number of vehicle models that change like the wind, or paying farmers and other businesses to not grow a certain crop or do anything, as it is now).
-Create a system of credit for all politician’s personal and professional expenses, while removing their ability to increase their wealth outside of an agreed upon yearly budget and post-service benefits. Any bribe or incentive received in connection with their role while in office should have stronger consequences, including mandatory jail time and government seizure of all assets -
regardless of when obtained - when convicted. Spending some money watching them very closely, starting when they accept a position in our service, would more than pay for itself, and we would be assured the highest quality of government..
-Create and follow through with a plan to eliminate all foreign debt and / or dependence as a priority of our government, and do so in a way that does not affect the private sector other than as noted above.
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Wind Turbines
These sound great. How can I find information about costs, amount of electricity produced, procedure to get approved by county.
Apr 18, 2008 10:40:27 AM [permalink] [report comment]