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Smart Grid Energy Efficiency Meters

solarblogger — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:17:14 +0000

Funds from the economic stimulus package have called attention to the importance of monitoring energy efficiency in the home. In 2009, a number of companies launched new wireless energy dashboards that take away some of the mystery in how our energy usage and statements are assessed. The “fully digital home” has been on the horizon for years, with automated lighting, talking computers and computerized refrigerators, but the need for better technology, eco-friendly choices and energy efficient homes is finally driving the revolution forward. If an all-new home isn’t on your horizon, then you’ll be happy to know there are affordable hardware solutions.

One of the meter options is EnergyHub, which “produces smart, simple, and cost-effective energy management tools that strengthen the relationship between consumers and utilities and help solve the energy problems of today and tomorrow.” Time Magazine recently called this energy monitor dashboard “one of the best inventions of 2009″ for its ability to rein in real power-hogs. “In a car you can usually see how much gas you’re using,” wrote senior writer Lev Grossman. “With electricity in a home, you never could before. But now… in real time you can, using EnergyHub, and I think it’s going to save America billions and billions of dollars.”

The cool thing about the EnergyHub monitor is that consumers will be able to receive information on how much energy each appliance or electronic uses. They’ll see how much they can save if they upgrade their air conditioning unit or refrigerator. They’ll learn how much savings they can see by turning the thermostat down a few degrees in the winter. They’ll see what they waste on “vampire power,” when their unused devices are still plugged in. They’ll also be able to see how their energy efficiency compares to the neighbors’, notice when the whole neighborhood is in danger of a blackout, and be able to communicate directly with the utility company.

The future is looking bright with all these tools for monitoring energy efficiency. Rather than fight consumers tooth and nail as they have in the past, the utility companies are finally willing to work with consumers to find better power save alternatives. Many utility giants are, in fact, investing in green technology and alternative energy to keep their empires sustainable. Therefore, they don’t mind if people try to limit their use of finite resources and electricity. After all, people still need power from somewhere, no matter if it comes from the sun, wind, water or the grid, so long as these companies remain innovative and one step ahead. Energy conservation and independence is a “win” for us all.

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Types Of Save Energy Devices

solarblogger — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:16:44 +0000

It’s common knowledge that we can save money on our energy statements if we restrict our usage. We can turn off lights, program our thermostats to turn down at night, watch less television and use fans instead of air conditioners. Yet there are other alternatives with energy saving devices that allow individuals to save energy without changing their current habits. It may sound too good to be true (like those diets that let you eat steak and sweets), but the following home devices may revolutionize your life and save you money.

Since heating and cooling system expenses count for the largest portion of your overall home energy consumption, we’ll first look at this realm of home energy saving devices. Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to set specific room temperatures for certain times of the day, without needing to manually adjust the dial. For instance, many people program their thermostats to turn down at night or while they’re at work and not using the heat. They can also program the heat to automatically turn back up just before they come home at night. For the forgetful, there are also remote control heating systems that let you change the temperature even after you leave home. With a quick phone call, you can change the temperature of your home. Centralized heating and cooling also helps households with individual thermostats to maintain better consistency.

Another way to save energy is with water heating system devices. Reducing water consumption will also save on electricity. For instance, a low-flow showerhead can save up to 40% of your water consumption, thus taking the burden off your heating system. Similarly, a multi-setting showerhead (with pulse, spray, pause, turbo pulse, etc.) can save water. A water saving toilet lets homeowners save up to 25% of their water consumption. Energy experts say you’ll see the energy savings from these devices after they pay for themselves within the first few months.

One last way to save energy at home is to ask your electricity provider what your options are for saving energy in the home. Some independent green homes energy suppliers are offering discounted rates. Regular providers may allow consumers to sign up for programs using wind power or solar power. In fact, homeowners may be able to supply some power to their own homes by installing a small windmill or solar panels in their yards. For more information on converting your home to solar energy or wind energy, visit www.solarpowerwindenergy.org/2010/01/07/how-you-can-convert-your-home-to-solar-power.

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Investments For Long-Term Energy Savings

solarblogger — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:33:45 +0000

If you’re low on cash, there are still many ways to derive energy savings in your home. For instance, you could turn your water heater down to the warm setting (125 degrees). You could replace your furnace filter once a month. You can seal off leaky doors and windows with caulking and weather stripping. At night when you’re sleeping or when you’re away at work, you can turn your heater down 10-15 degrees to save 10% annually on your energy costs. You can use shades or drapes to heat or cool your house as well. You can look into energy efficient lighting for inexpensive savings. However, if you’re looking for a more long-term strategy to drastically lower expenses, then you may want to consider one of the following energy-saving investments.

Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to maximize your savings. With an Energy Star programmable thermostat, you can store and set different temperatures for different times of the day. Why bother having the house at seventy degrees if you’re asleep under your warm comforter or away from the house at work for forty-five hours a week? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning our thermostat back 10Â°â€“15Â° for eight hours.” For maximum efficiency, your thermostat should be located away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights and windows. You can program up to six different settings to automatically switch on throughout the day to correlate with your schedule.

Adding insulation to your home is another way to seek energy savings. You may want to insulate attics, crawl spaces, ducts, cathedral ceilings, foundations and basements. Insulating wide-open heating ducts in attics and crawl spaces and maintaining your ducts can prevent heat loss of up to 60%, says the Department of Energy. Even if you don’t have major gaps to fill, Energy Star says you can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs by sealing and insulating the smaller leaks. The attic is the most common area for this sort of renovation. You should have approximately 12-15 inches of insulation installed. Also, if you have an older water heater, they also recommend insulating it with an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss.

Energy savings doesn’t have to bankrupt you. In addition to the federal government’s tax incentives and rebate programs, you can also look up your state’s energy conservation incentives at www.dsireusa.org. If you purchase any energy efficient appliances with the Energy Star label, you will likely qualify for a rebate. Visit www.energystar.gov for a list of products that apply. The Department of Energy also provides a comprehensive section on obtaining financing or mortgaging an energy efficient home at www.energysavers.gov/financial/index.cfm/mytopic=70030.

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Direct & Indirect Energy Saving Devices

solarblogger — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:33:16 +0000

Energy saving tools can range from energy efficient lights and Energy Star appliances to energy monitors and insulation. In this article, you’ll learn about different types of monitor that will show you how much energy you’re using. You’ll also learn about devices that will save you money on your electric bill — like programmable thermostats — and devices that indirectly save your electricity — like dimmer switches. While there are some tricks and gimmicks out there, you will find many ways to cut down on your bills each month.

The first step toward energy saving comes with a realistic assessment of your home’s energy use and where changes can be made. Meters and monitors will show you how much energy you’re using — and, in the end, how much energy you’ve saved. Thermometers are perhaps the simplest of the home energy saving devices. Thermometers help you measure the temperature of your refrigerator, freezer, water heater and various rooms of the house. If you’re having trouble finding the drafts in your home, try using an infrared heat gun to show you an instant temperature reading wherever you point your gun. Your electrical meter and gas meter can also reveal a lot about your energy usage. If you record the data each day, you may see patterns of spikes or declines which will help you determine what might be wasting energy in your home.

The next step in your quest to save energy is to invest in some direct power conserving devices for the home. Programmable thermostats can save up to 1% of your energy costs for every degree you turn down the heat or turn up the air conditioning for an eight hour period each day, states the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy agency of the US government. For instance, if you dropped the thermostat from 68 to 61 from 9 am – 5 pm while you’re at work, you can cut your heating costs by 7%. Your thermostat will let you automatically time when these temperature changes take place, so you won’t even have to think about it. Smart Power Strips are another one of the great ways to save electricity. For $35, you could divide your electricity uses into three sections: the control outlet, one or more hot outlets and one or more switched outlets. For example, you can plug your desktop computer into the control outlet, the cable modem and router into the constant hot outlet and all the other devices (printers, speakers, etc) into an easy on/off switch outlet.

If you’re looking for energy saving methods, begin with what consumes the most power in your home — notably the heating and cooling. Next, move to energy conservation appliances, energy efficient lightbulbs, as well as both direct and indirect energy efficient gadgets. Each little step you take will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save a few dollars while doing so. As you shop, beware of unscrupulous companies who just want to make a quick buck. Do your homework and do not buy any “energy saver devices” from infomercials.

Builders Committed To New Energy Efficient Home Prospect

solarblogger — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:32:44 +0000

The energy efficient home is likely to become the standard in the United States as builders look for better ways to compete with the existing stock of houses. Eco-conscious consumers are spending more and more money on energy efficient upgrades, which is causing builders to look for ways of increasing the value of their green homes. The good news is that the nation’s largest home builders like KB Home and Beazer are on board for offering greener products.

This month, Miami-based Lennar announced its plans to offer the PowerSmartSM Home, which is a new energy efficient home specially designed to cut energy consumption by 40% by using energy efficient lighting, appliances, windows, heating and cooling systems. The homes come fully certified by the Department of Energy and with government Energy Star labels at no additional cost to consumers for the built-in upgrades. “Prospective buyers are eco-conscious and truly embrace energy-efficient products even in this current economic climate,” said Bill Burgess, president of Lennar Minnesota. These cost efficient homes are expected to be unveiled in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Large builders aren’t the only ones investing in building homes that are energy efficient. TMS Architects and Bruss Construction are two small New Hampshire companies that are offering customizable house packages that include three different tiers of home energy savings and more than 400 choices that range from landscaping, solar energy, water power, Energy Star appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures and LEED certification. The homes range from 1,600 square feet to 2,800 square feet and $300,000 to $600,000. This smaller size wastes no space, developers say, and includes high-quality amenities in the kitchens and bathrooms. “Materials are built to last and if you look at it financially, owners will save $8,400 a year in heating and electricity costs,” said Robert Carty of TMS Architects. James Bruss, owner of Bruss Construction, added, “This is the right product for the right time.”

Consumers have spoken. The energy efficient home is what they want. They’ve made it clear they want to invest in technology that will make their power bills go down and reduce their independence on utility companies. Buyers realize that it’s economical to buy a home that’s already well-stocked with these energy efficient features, rather than retrofit them later and builders see that there are distinct benefits to building this way too. Whether it’s a government rebate or a faster sell time, there’s money to be made with green homes.

Basic Ways To Save Energy In Your Home

solarblogger — Sat, 08 May 2010 16:50:56 +0000

“You can go nuts thinking about everything in your house that uses power,” says Jennifer Thorne Amann, author of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. “You have to use common sense and prioritize. Don’t agonize too much. Think about what you’ll be able to sustain after the experiment is over. If you have trouble reaching your goal in one area, remember there’s always something else you can do.” She adds that there are many ways to save energy in your home by taking small steps today.

There are many easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy at home. Installing a programmable thermostat will give you better control over your home’s temperature, without needing to remember to adjust the thermostat when you leave the house or go to sleep each night. You can change all your lights to Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use less power and last longer than conventional bulbs. You can air dry dishes or hang laundry outside, instead of using the dry cycle on your appliances. When you’re not using your lights, computer, monitor, TV, DVD player or power strip, turn off the devices for better savings. Lower your water heater thermostat down to 120Â°F and try taking shorter showers, rather than baths.

Naturally, you’ll want to save energy in your home all year round, but some seasons are harder to get through than others. If you live in a climate with cold winters, the idea of turning the heat way down low may not appeal to you. Instead, you can open the windows on a sunny day to allow more solar energy in or, if you have leaky windows, you might want to trap heat inside by putting up heavy drapes. During the summer, the most energy efficient homes keep the lights turned off, using ceiling fans for air circulation or placing a bowl of ice next to a desktop fan.

You can find many ways to save energy in your home at the Federal Trade Commission’s website (www.ftc.com). In the attic, look for high value R-type insulation. Check the Energy Guide ratings for new furnaces and air conditioning units. In the kitchen, keep your Energy Star refrigerator away from appliances like stoves and dishwashers. Fill your dishwasher, but don’t overload it. Most water heaters are set at 140, but you can comfortably heat your water at 120 degrees. Invest in energy efficient lighting, such as compact fluorescent bulbs throughout your house. Lastly, you can look for low emission windows, plant shade trees and seal your door frames better. With a few basic changes, you’ll be saving money on your energy statements in no time at all.

Solar Power Homes Blog » power save

Smart Grid Energy Efficiency Meters

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Types Of Save Energy Devices

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Direct & Indirect Energy Saving Devices

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Builders Committed To New Energy Efficient Home Prospect

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Basic Ways To Save Energy In Your Home

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