WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Oh Darren m’boy, just switch of your’ computer and everybody will be happy !

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

“kill your computer” (a takeoff on the “kill your TV” bumper stickers).

“compute your savings”, a notion that you’re going to actually ‘do some numbers’ here.

I hope your paper encourages its readers to really measure the power used by the various loads in their world. We humans are naturally lazy and, when told “your 24/7 sleeping computer is actually wasting (lots of) energy”, we tend to believe that as stated. In the grand scheme of things, it’s barely true. I bought a Killawatt meter on Ebay for $14 and ran around measuring Everything. My sleeping computer takes 3 watts, the backyard fountain takes 35, a backyard light takes 29, Tivo takes 27. Refrigerators and heaters are where the real power is expended and seemingly small adjustments to their setpoints have more effect than turning off 30 sleeping computers.

When my A/C comes on, the house’s meter jumps over 3000 watts. The dryer adds over 4000 watts. These are obviously not On all the time but they sure makes their presence known on the electric bill. The sleeping computer, left on 24/7 at 3 watts, will add up to 2.1 kWh at the end of a 30 day billing period. A/C, electric dryer, refrigerators, etc etc bring the whole bill up above 600 kWh.

I hope your paper encourages them to read and try to understand their electric bill and to try reading their electric meter (mine, a TOU meter, was not straightforward…).

I’m installing relays in my house to let a computer make sure Tivo, unnecessary devices etc are really off. Radio Shack “X10″ products could do a lot of what I’m doing.

My focus is obviously the home environment. Turning off computers and copiers can be a much bigger deal in an office environment but, there too, the temperature setpoints are going to make more of a difference than the sleeping computers.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Realistically we can never solve it with population levels where they are and industrialisation growing as it is.
IF and that’s a bigger word than it looks, if we can start being less greedy and limit our offspring, stop chasing fantasies and slow down our use of energy from the levels we are using it now, then maybe we can resolve some of our problem.
From the first time humans cut down a tree to clear land for farming we entered a cycle of destruction which changed the planet and whether this is for the worst or whether this can be seen as part of our evolution as a species and the resultant evolution of other species as they adapt or die from these changes is the real dilemma.

Is it really worth getting too worried about, just try and leave as small a footprint on this planet as you can. I doubt we will screw it up totally even if humans were to die off and most of the species habiting the planet today.

There are hundreds of ways to save energy but the majority mean giving up a few things so start there and see where it takes you.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Dont worry – a tiny bit of mercury, soon gone, it will not ‘spread round the house’ but stay in the dust bag, dont trust one single thing you read in the ‘daily wail’. I would be more worried your mum got glass in her hair. We used to play with mercury in school, and people even used to swallow it as a cure for some diseases. I imagine thta wasnt very good for them, but it shows you a few grams will be more or less harmless. My first one broke at ten years old recently – my fault, i was twisting it violently holding it by the bulb- i did go out of the room for a few minutes, just as a precaution, but felt a bit silly doing it.
The mercury emitted by the extra coal (when it is burned) you would be using if you had the old bulbs is a lot more than is used in the light bulbs.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

1.The cost effectiveness of when to turn off lights depends on the type of lights and the price of electricity. The type of light is important for several reasons. All types of lights have a nominal or rated operating life, which is the total number of hours that they will provide a specified level or amount of light. However, the operating life of all types of light bulbs is affected by how many times they are turned on and off. The more often they are switched on and off, the lower their operating life. The exact number of hours that switching lights on and off reduces the total operating life depends on the type of light and how many times it is switched on and off.
2.The average shower disperses about 2 gallons of water per minute. This means if you take a 10 minute shower, you’re using about 20 gallons of water.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Before you follow Michael’s advice and go out and get a psychiatrist, I’d suggest taking a step back and assessing what’s going on at work. Ask yourself some questions:

- When did my problems with concentration begin? Was it when I started working here or after I’d been here a while?

- If the problems started when I started working here, is it possible that I’ve never really enjoyed my job to begin with?

- If the problems started after I’d been working here a while, did something happen or change at work to make the environment more difficult to concentrate in (for example, conflicts with coworkers, boss, change in scheduling, change in office location, etc.)

I suspect that the reason caffeine and ginkgo haven’t worked for you is that these substances aren’t treating the real issue. I get the feeling that your real problem is disinterest in your job. If your work isn’t interesting, it’s really difficult to concentrate on it. I know that whenever my mind wanders, it’s usually because whatever I’m working on is just not mentally stimulating enough. Maybe that’s what is happening to you.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

There are several websites that will help you build a petition. Here is just one example. I don’t think they are the best, so try googling “make a petition environment” and see what you get.

Http://www.petitionspot.com/

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

I’m 16 years old and I have ADD and ADHD. I’ve calmed myself down because of my age but anyway enough about me…..A good way to calm them down is turn on a tv, put out books, put in toys that move but are hard to throw such as, ride on bikes (the baby bike things) things that change constanly, if it is changing constanly most likely they will calm down a lot.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

You’ve already got good tips when it comes to physical things but one thing that really makes a difference in your energy level is your mental state. If you’re anxious, sad, depressed or something like that, you might be surprised how much energy goes into those strong negative emotions. If you’re not feeling down then we can skip this part as being an energy-drain. So get yourself mentally stable and happy, do the things you enjoy doing to boost that up and I guarantee that you’ll have a lot more energy to spend durning the day!

Happy thoughts!

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

The clue is in the type of chair. Stool causes pain, while chair with supportive back is fine. Therefore your back muscles need strengthening. You have lost weight excellent but now need to concentrate on your ‘core’ strength, the girdle around your abdomen, what would be a beer belly. The girdle supports the spine, so Pilate’s would be a good place to start. Once you improve the muscle tone of the core, girdle, then you will have no problems with sitting on stools. Best of Luck

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Go up to the attic and see if there are wires or pipes coming from the panels. Could be you have a solar water heater. They are more common. Your hot water system will have a circulating pump controlled by a thermostat.

Electric solar panels will generate DC which will not be usable in a standard house unless it is converted. Solars usually are used in conjunction with batteries.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

This may help. I dont want to tell you where to go so I have provided you with enough info to make the decision on your own.
Types of technologies
Many technologies have been developed to make use of solar radiation. Some of these technologies make direct use of the solar energy (e.g. To provide light, heat, etc.), while others produce electricity.

Solar design in architecture
Main article: Passive solar building design
Solar design in architecture involves the use of appropriate solar technologies to maintain a building’s environment at a comfortable temperature through the sun’s daily and annual cycles. It may do this by storing solar energy as heat in the walls of a building, which then acts to heat the building at night. Another approach is to keep the interior cool during a hot day by designing in natural convection through the building’s interior.

Solar heating systems
Main articles: Solar hot water and Solar combisystem
Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water. They may be used to heat domestic hot water, for space heating or to heat swimming pools. These systems are composed of solar thermal collectors, a storage tank and a circulation loop.[8] The three basic classifications of solar water heaters are:

Batch systems which consist of a tank that is directly heated by sunlight. These are the oldest and simplest solar water heater designs, however; the exposed tank can be vulnerable to cooldown.[9]
Active systems which use pumps to circulate water or a heat transfer fluid.
Passive systems which circulate water or a heat transfer fluid by natural circulation. These are also called thermosiphon systems.

A Trombe wall is a passive solar heating and ventilation system consisting of an air channel sandwiched between a window and a sun-facing wall. Sunlight heats the air space during the day causing natural circulation through vents at the top and bottom of the wall and storing heat in the thermal mass. During the evening the Trombe wall radiates stored heat.[10]

A transpired collector is an active solar heating and ventilation system consisting of a perforated sun-facing wall which acts as a solar thermal collector. The collector pre-heats air as it is drawn into the building’s ventilation system through the perforations. These systems are inexpensive and commercial models have achieved efficiencies above 70%. Most systems pay for themselves within 4-8 years.[11]

Solar lighting
Main articles: Daylighting and Light tube
Solar lighting or daylighting is the use of natural light to provide illumination. Daylighting directly offsets energy use in electric lighting systems and indirectly offsets energy use through a reduction in cooling load.[14] Although difficult to quantify, the use of natural light also offers physiological and psychological benefits.

Daylighting features include building orientation, window orientation, exterior shading, sawtooth roofs, clerestory windows, light shelves, skylights and light tubes.[15] These features may be incorporated in existing structures but are most effective when integrated in a solar design package which accounts for factors such as glare, heat gain, heat loss and time-of-use. Architectural trends increasingly recognize daylighting as a cornerstone of sustainable design.

Daylight saving time (DST) can be seen as a method of utilising solar energy by matching available sunlight to the hours of the day in which it is most useful. DST energy savings have been estimated to reduce total electricity use in California by 0.5% (3400 MWh) and peak electricity use by 3% (1000 MW).[16] However, there is some question whether these estimates are valid. In 2000 when parts of Australia began DST in late winter, overall electricity consumption did not decrease, but the peak load increased.[17]

Solar pond
A solar pond is simply a pool of water which collects and stores solar energy. It contains layers of salt solutions with increasing concentration (and therefore density) to a certain depth, below which the solution has a uniform high salt concentration. It is a relatively low-tech, low-cost approach to harvesting solar energy. The principle is to fill a pond with 3 layers of water:

A top layer with a low salt content.
An intermediate insulating layer with a salt gradient, which sets up a density gradient that prevents heat exchange by natural convection in the water.
A bottom layer with a high salt content which reaches a temperature approaching 90 degrees Celsius.
The layers have different densities due to their different salt content, and this prevents the development of convection currents which would otherwise transfer the heat to the surface and then to the air above. The heat trapped in the salty bottom layer can be used for heating of buildings, industrial processes, generating electricity or other purposes. One such system is in use at Bhuj, Gujarat, India[26] and another at the University of Texas El Paso.[27]

Solar chemical
Solar chemical is any process that harnesses solar energy by absorbing sunlight in a chemical reaction in a way similar to photosynthesis in plants but without using living organisms. No large-scale systems have as yet been constructed.

Another chemical (but not photochemical) approach has been to use conventional solar thermal collectors to drive chemical dissociation reactions. Ammonia can be separated into nitrogen and hydrogen at high temperature and with the aid of a catalyst, stored indefinitely, then recombined later to release the heat stored. A prototype system was constructed at the Australian National University[28].

A promising approach is to use focused sunlight to provide the energy needed to split water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a metallic catalyst such as zinc.[29]

While metals, such as zinc, have been shown to drive photoelectrolysis of water, more research has focused on semiconductors. Further research has examined transition metal compounds, in particular titanium, niobium and tantalum oxides.[30]

Unfortunately, these materials exhibit very low efficiencies, because they require ultraviolet light to drive the photoelectrolysis of water. Current materials also require an electrical voltage bias for the hydrogen and oxygen gas to evolve from the surface, another disadvantage. Current research is focusing on the development of materials capable of the same water splitting reaction using lower energy visible light.

It is also possible to use solar energy to drive industrial chemical processes without a requirement for fossil fuel.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

1. Solar panels are extremely inefficient, on the order of only 1-2% efficient.

2. The cost is so high, it is not worth it. The panels cost far more than any “free” electricity.

3. The cable from space would be too heavy, and air resistance would bring the solar panels down.

Instead, use mirrors to concentrate the sunlight, and use it to drive a steam turbine. The efficiency can easily be over 90% if done properly, yielding about 1,000 watts per square meter at high noon at the equator. A mere 20 square kilometers would provide about 360 megawatts. And 2/3 of the energy can be stored for evenings and cloudy days.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

You are wasteful in your power usage. To use 980 kWh per month in such a small home is just unbelivable. Chage your lights to CFL (a 28 watt cfl is = to a 100 watt bulb) and use space heating and window A/C units. Unplug that tv set when not in use and same for other items. I found that our tv set alone uses amost 12 watts when turned off. You may say that is not much.. Well add in 4 tv sets and a couple of stereos and other items and do it for a years time. Lots of waste. Our home is twice the size of yours and we only use on a heavy month about 500 kWh. With 1860 watts in solar power my last months electric bill was 19 dollars and most of that was meter fees.

18K is really about right and not bad. You will get back 2000 dollars if installed before the end of 2008 but it looks like we may be Bushed and they may not extend the tax credits.
Just have to wait for John McCain to get in office and hope he will do something about it. But McCain is running for a 3rd bush term. Hillary is not going to make it in to office an every time Obama gets under pressure he gets so scared he starts stuttering. So he will just get walked on by big oil and big money. So better do it now while you can get something back.

Just to clear something up about the cost.. If you rent power you have nothing in 30 years but if you buy a system you have a system in 30 years.

As far as new lower priced solar modules.. BS!!! Big time
BS!!!

If they can make a 3000 watt solar module for 1 cent they can sell it for the current market price. So it would take a FOOL to drop the prices. So don’t waste your time setting on your thumb waiting for this great lower price.

Ask Evergreen Solar if they lowered prices when the used OUR TAX DOLLARS to find a new way to make their panels. Well they found a cheaper way and did it and charge the same as anyone else. But that don’t stop them from braging. If they can get your money and don’t take it they woudl be fools.. Would you drop your price if people would pay the higher price? Plus someone would by them out and bring the prices back up anyway..

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Solar panel is made up of a collection of special cells known as photovoltaic cells. These cells are joined together with copper wire and each of them can to generate 5 volts of electricity. You can install as many cells as per your requirement. These solar panel generate AC power which is converted in DC by using an inverter.

Normal installation cost of a solar panel at home is around $5000 but it is true that if you have zeal to learn you can build a solar panel of your own within $200. Making a solar panel is not much difficult but you need to follow a good DIY guide to do that.

For more information visit: http://www.howtobuildasolarpanel.info

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

What you are saying in effect is why don’t we have smart technology? We have all sorts of technologies available to us now. Why not make the lamps dual powered with solar power? Great in summer that should cut down the annual usage. Or what about lights that turn off when the road is empty and turn back on when there is traffic approaching? What about an in car – remote light control? Or markers in the road that turn the next section on and the previous section off when there is little traffic around.

I live rurally. There are no street lamps, it can be an unpleasant drive if you have other oncoming road users who are inconsiderate particularly in bad weather. But I think you have something worth thinking about with your smart technology idea.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Capacitors don’t save energy, they store it for a temporary period.

No, an inverter wastes energy. They are 90% efficient at best, which means 10% is lost as heat. That applies to sine wave or other types.

Re capacitors, if you are talking about that scam of putting a device on your utility lines to change the power factor, that does not save any energy, nor any money, as the utility charges you for real power only.

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WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

It does not save the earth.

The earth will be here long after we are all dead and gone and the human species is extinct.

It is US that it will save from extinction.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Energy save mode for an air conditioner is when you set it at a certain temperature and when the room reaches that temperature, the air conditioner stops the “cool” cycle and turns on the fan automatically. And when the temp of the room drops below the set temperature, the “cool” cycle will begin again, thus saving you energy by not continually turing on the cool mode.

For 97 degree temperature and high humidy, i would set it at 73-76 degrees. That would save you a good amount of power with you still being comfortable.

Good luck and stay cool!

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

First of all, get all Energy Star light bulbs, because just one won’t save you too much money! I suggest phasing out your normal light bulbs when they burn out.

Instead of turning off the heat, lower it to avoid being super uncomfortable when you get back in. Turning ON some systems can cost more then running them on low! Also, lower your thermostat to the lowest possible without being uncomfortable.

Have your furnace inspected, and replace the filters in it every two or three months.

Seal up the drafts and cracks in the house, like windows and cracks in the walls. If you have the money, replace the insulation or the windows over the summer.

If you don’t want to replace the windows, buy some drapes and blinds, because putting these over the windows will cut down on drafts, too.

Watch when you wash your dishes: scrape them off after you eat, then wash one load in an automatic dish washer.

Check out my sources, they’ve got a butt load of tips. Good luck!

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Leave it on, doesn’t cost but pennies (OK maybe a buck) a month. It is only the pilot light. Honestly not worth my time when it gets cold and you forgot to light it earlier. Good question though.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

It probably saves a little but the fan is electric and continuously running it uses a bit of electricity but saves more then the A/C.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Unless your ductwork is open to the basement, you wont pull any air upstairs. Usually, the return duct is a closed duct. It just pulls air from the rooms upstairs and brings it back to the furnace. If the duct is open to the basement, by the time that air is brought upstairs and circulated through the house, its not going to be very cool. A very common setting for t-stats in summer is to put the fan switch to ON and set the system to COOL and set the t-stat setpoint. The fan will run continuously, and the t-stat will cycle the A/C condenser on and off when it needs to. This will help circulate air through out the house and keep it cool and dehumidified. It also helps with homes with smaller ductwork, or hard to cool rooms. Good luck and hope this helped!

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Older computers, old TVs, and old appliances in general take more power whether they’re on or “off”. The local power company here in northern calif will pay to take away your really old appliances.

My main computer is 6 years old. In “sleep” it takes 3 watts and when “On” it’s about 100. The article you linked claims computers take 75% of their On power; maybe they mean when the computer is running its screen saver. My 3% figure comes from asking the computer to go into Standby (an HP computer).

Our Samsung 46″ flat screen TV is only a year old. When turned Off (but still able to respond to the Remote), it consumes 1 watt. When On it’s 186 watts. I have turned it completely off many times with no ill effects.

I don’t have a traditional cable box. The more modern TVs just have a “cable card” plugged in (internally).

Our DVR (Digital Video Recorder), a Tivo, is 27 watts all day and all night. It has no sleep mode. It doesn’t even have an Off/On switch. I have a computer turn off a relay which shuts down its source of power at night. Internally Tivo is a computer so yanking power without saying a civilized ‘goodnight’ is generally not a good idea. But it ticked me off that they didn’t even provide a way to shut it off. So far, no ill effects. BTW, when turning Tivo back on, it takes 5-10 minutes to get its TV guide stuff off the internet etc; that is, Tivo’s not immediately usable.

The “router” that brings the internet into the house takes 16 watts. It can be shut off but when it’s started up again, it can take 10 or 15 minutes to get its head straight.

I measured these power values with a Killawatt meter. They’re sold on Ebay, at Fry’s Electronics, etc.

WaysToSaveEnergy answers:

Modern businesses keep Daylight Savings Time because they got tired of all the employees leaving an hour early in the summer to enjoy a long afternoon. Employees griped when the employers asked them to come in an hour early, to make an 8 hour day. So to fool the employees (kidding) and keep all business on the same schedule, we “leap ahead” an hour to allow us to think we are working 9 to 5, when it is really 8 to 4, sun time. {serious points in a joking manner.}

In the winter, when it is dark when we leave for work, and dark when we get off work, and an hour one way or the other makes no difference, we go back to straight sun time, so at least high noon is high noon.