chickenlittle

Kill-a-Watt Device for monitoring home electricity usage

Green Team,

Here’s an idea for a stocking stuffer…

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=kill%20a%20watt&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_7428458_2&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20

The Kill-A-Watt is not a very romantic gift, but I’ve found it very useful in determining how much energy is being used by appliances over the course of a day, especially ones that “cycle” on and off -  like window AC’s, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, etc -  where the electrical ratings on the back of the unit aren’t enough info.   It can help you make smart choices: should you run a lot of fans or just one AC to cool the house in the summer…how much money will you save by replacing your fridge, etc, etc…

I was also amazed to find that some electronics were major drains, while others were not at all.  For example, my VCR and stereo use 15 W EACH when they’re TURNED OFF!!!  That’s like leaving a 30 W bulb on 24/7/365.  (so I put them on a separate on/off switch)  In contrast, my DVD player and TV barely use 1 W together when they are off (standby).  My camcorder and digital cameras kept sucking lots of power just sitting on their docks (even after the batteries are fully charged), while my cell phone did not (once the battery was recharged). 

Hope you find it useful…anyone in

Cambridge

is welcome to borrow at the next GNO.

Happy Holidays!

Tom

Better Lightbulbs

GEOFF SWIFT WROTE:

And don’t forget that the least sexy (but most cost-effective), means to reduce electricity is to use the CF lightbulbs.  Anyone see the Starbucks full page ad over the weekend?  Called for doing just this.

TOM WIDEMAN WROTE: We replaced put in CF lightbulbs anywhere that the bulbs were protected (from our kids).  Most of the lights in our house are standing or desk lamps, though, and I didn’t want the lamps being knocked over, bulbs broken, and the mercury released.  (It’s only about 4 mg per bulb, but I’m kind of kooky about chemicals - odd, considering my background, huh?).

Anyhow, I saw this news release a while back: http://www.polybrite.com/News/Marquee60_04PR_1.pdf#search=%22polybrite%20bulb%22  I contacted Polybrite and Westinghouse and they will be releasing 60 W equivalent LED bulbs in the first quarter or 2007.  They use even less energy, contain no mercury, and are solid state so they can’t break.  They’ll probably cost a lot, but they pay off in the very long run. Thought you might be interested.

Another idea list for emission reduction

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/takeaction.asp?items

Also, seems like a useful information source and, by joining the "virtual march" a small way to demonstrate support for the cause.

Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Does anyone know if  you need to be concerned with the mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs?

I know they should be recycled when they die, but do you have to be concerned about them breaking inside your home?  Currently, I'm only using them in outdoor fixtures or interior fixtures where the bulb is well protected (like dome ceiling lights).  Most of the lights in our house, though, are standing desk lamps, and with a toddler, baby, and dog (soon?), so a bulb is bound to break at some point.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Cool energy saving device (from Ethan Ayer)

http://www.energybuddy.com/kvar.html

Per Ethan: "I haven't used this actual device (being that I live in a rental in manhattan) but the concept it sound and with battery technology as advanced as it is, it makes sense to have a home device to smooth out the peaks and valleys. Here is a fact that you probably didn't know. In Germany, the electricity prices at 9:00 on Monday are nearly double the average rate for the rest of the week. This is because German households are particularly regimented in their desire to start laundry on Monday morning. Through a combination of public education and the installation of battery devices, a German town near Frankfurt was able to reduce their "spike" but 40%."