Comments on: Measuring to Get a Handle on Energy Costs http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-costs/ We Can Do This Together Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:15:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mary Gatch http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-costs/#comment-25930 Mary Gatch Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:01:33 +0000 http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-cost/#comment-25930 We like the Kill A Watt and have it in stock in our store for $39.50. We also have two different types of Smart Strips to help reduce the phantom loads associated with the peripheral equipment for TV's and computers. The Smart Power Strips will automatically shut down the power going to peripheral devices (cable boxes, modems, printers, etc.) when the main device (e.g. TV or Computer) is shut down. Please see more at: http://www.dwellsmart.com/Products/Conservation We like the Kill A Watt and have it in stock in our store for $39.50.

We also have two different types of Smart Strips to help reduce the phantom loads associated with the peripheral equipment for TV’s and computers. The Smart Power Strips will automatically shut down the power going to peripheral devices (cable boxes, modems, printers, etc.) when the main device (e.g. TV or Computer) is shut down.

Please see more at:

http://www.dwellsmart.com/Products/Conservation

]]> By: Chad Norman http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-costs/#comment-25853 Chad Norman Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:20:07 +0000 http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-cost/#comment-25853 Yeah, we've been using a powerstrip to turn off the entertainment center - that sucks a ton, even when it's all off. The only problem is that power strips are often in hard to reach places...there are a few solutions that fix that, but there needs to be more. Also, I had Thane from Solar Hot Water Works come out to our house a few months ago. You can read about it <a href="http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/02/28/a-solar-hot-water-solution-served-locally/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Yeah, we’ve been using a powerstrip to turn off the entertainment center - that sucks a ton, even when it’s all off. The only problem is that power strips are often in hard to reach places…there are a few solutions that fix that, but there needs to be more.

Also, I had Thane from Solar Hot Water Works come out to our house a few months ago. You can read about it here.

]]> By: Joshua Mueller http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-costs/#comment-25846 Joshua Mueller Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:42:58 +0000 http://www.gogreencharleston.org/2008/04/14/energy-cost/#comment-25846 I did this as well. How informative! The most interesting thing to me was that my house was full of phantom loads! Have you ever wondered why your electric meter keeps spinning when everything in your house is turned off? Every electric appliance with an adapter, or a clock (this includes practically everything electronic) continues to sap power as we go about doing other things! A few I found that amazed me: my digital cable box conumes 25W on OR off! my cable modem and wireless router gobble 50W combined 24/7. my computer printer uses 75W in the off position. all the digital alarm clocks around my home totaled 10W. That's a lot of energy wasted. I don't mind using electricity, but it's hard to defend carelessly wasting it. I've since put my entire computer station and entertainment center on a power strip. I use the strips to be sure all power is cut when these items are not in use. I unplug all the alarm clocks that aren't used daily (guest room, etc.). I felt good about all these things until I found out my "energy efficient" clothes dryer sucks 3,000W when tumbling! I've since been line drying whenever possible. I find it strangely therapeutic. I'm kinda weird like that, though. While I hang my clothes, I fantasize about the solar hot water heater I'm saving up for! Check it out: http://www.solarhotwaterworks.com/ Josh I did this as well. How informative! The most interesting thing to me was that my house was full of phantom loads! Have you ever wondered why your electric meter keeps spinning when everything in your house is turned off? Every electric appliance with an adapter, or a clock (this includes practically everything electronic) continues to sap power as we go about doing other things! A few I found that amazed me:

my digital cable box conumes 25W on OR off!
my cable modem and wireless router gobble 50W combined 24/7.
my computer printer uses 75W in the off position.
all the digital alarm clocks around my home totaled 10W.

That’s a lot of energy wasted. I don’t mind using electricity, but it’s hard to defend carelessly wasting it. I’ve since put my entire computer station and entertainment center on a power strip. I use the strips to be sure all power is cut when these items are not in use. I unplug all the alarm clocks that aren’t used daily (guest room, etc.). I felt good about all these things until I found out my “energy efficient” clothes dryer sucks 3,000W when tumbling! I’ve since been line drying whenever possible. I find it strangely therapeutic. I’m kinda weird like that, though. While I hang my clothes, I fantasize about the solar hot water heater I’m saving up for! Check it out:

http://www.solarhotwaterworks.com/

Josh

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