What active energy saving measures do you take?
I just stumbled across this thread http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...rain-week.html and as I have just had smart metering installed, Ive been going through a similar exercise.
The display does focus the mind somewhat, and although I have solar panels which reduces my gas consumption to zero during the summer (I use the immersion heater via a 'smart' (ish) controller) I still have a base load of around 250 to 300 Watts at night. Most of that is the fridge and freezer and a fike server fed via a UPS.
The UPS though was taking about 40 Watts, in addition to the 60W load of the server, so i have taken that out of service, given the resilience of ext3 filesystems, and I am in an area with a very reliable power supply. Switching the desktop computer off instead of standby has saved a bit more, as has switching off a rarely used printer.
The other things I could switch off is a balance between cost and convenience - there are several very small drain items of equipment (router, a couple of switches, VDSL modem) which would be a pain to power cycle everyday. I could unplug the TV, but its is less than a couple of watts, and of course that poer ends up as heat, so it is indirectly making a contribution to the overall warmth of the house.
What active power savings measures to people take?
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
If I remember correctly, it was that thread which prompted me to buy one of those energy monitor plugs.
I believe my current monitors are more energy efficient than the previous one they replaced (and it was a consideration that led me to choose Dells) and will be switched to standby if I'm not using them (which is a negligible drain for these ones if I recall correctly).
Most bulbs have been switched to LEDs, which also has the bonus of being more reliable than the previous regular or energy-saving types I bought which didn't seem to last long before blowing.
Appliances such as microwave, kettle and printer are switched off until the moment they are needed.
I think that's about the most I do in terms of active energy saving.
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
I guess not many Hexites are bothered about energy (and therefore money) saving!
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
my backup NAS only powers on for my backup cycle - the backup agent shuts the PC down after the nightly backup, so that helps a little. Not powering up my home lab saves me quite a bit of power too ! :)
I'm on a wait list for some battery storage which should allow me to "time shift" my economy 7 power into the day prior to the Solar PV getting up to speed ( ie when putting kettle / iron on in the morning , which seems to generate a daily spike )
When we charge the car at home, its set to come on during the economy 7 window as well. Living room TV is on a smart switch the powers it fully off, only leaving the Skybox on overnight.
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
I live in the countryside, in rented accommodation, with storage heaters being the only option unless you're sat in the lounge next to the wood fire.
Energy saving comprises putting on another jumper or, if it's really cold, running Heaven benchmark on max settings.
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
To be honest I do very little active power saving, but that's mostly because the entire house is set up for passive energy saving. Pretty much everything we own is as low-power as possible: LED lights, laptops rather than desktops, A (and higher) rated appliances etc. Plus we don't actually use - or even own - many electric appliances in general.
From memory the house's base load runs out at less than 100W. I'm pretty happy with that :)
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
ooh I'm still a money saving git on this subject.
I'm super popular at home as you can imagine ;-)
tbf my missus agrees now, and switches stuff off and my boy even powers down the PS4 totally and unplugs it after use.
I still turn off the microwave at the wall after use and only leave on the TV/Settop box etc as I know the power drain and account for it. Having said all this, I do have a very low electricity bill and what with using a log stove to support my gas central heating, I have a very low gas bill too :-)
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
for money saving and heating in winter, I suggest....
Etherium Mining with the doors closed.
The PC will get HOT... and the electricity use will be no worse than an electric heater but it will be creating currency.
/walks out
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Zak33
ooh I'm still a money saving git on this subject.
I'm super popular at home as you can imagine ;-)
tbf my missus agrees now, and switches stuff off and my boy even powers down the PS4 totally and unplugs it after use.
I still turn off the microwave at the wall after use and only leave on the TV/Settop box etc as I know the power drain and account for it. Having said all this, I do have a very low electricity bill and what with using a log stove to support my gas central heating, I have a very low gas bill too :-)
Yes, I can remember checking the power usage of my microwave oven back in 2000 - can't remember the wattage now, but have turned the microwave off since - too much juice for a large kitchen clock when not in use.
I only leave my Sky box on standby - it takes over 5 minutes to boot up.
I probably should turn off my internet router when I'm out - but I seem to remember a previous router got sick after being restarted daily over a few months.
Looking at changing all my halogen downlights to LED, but current MR16 (GU5.3) transformers will not light up an LED bulb - luckily I only bought 1 bulb. So am planning to convert all MR16 halogen to GU10 LED - need to take out all transformers and just wire a GU10 fitting to the 240V mains wire - unfortunately I have read that - that is a good chance that I will damage the ceiling plaster as I pull the existing fittings through; if I want to go integrated unit then I'll probably have to enlarge the downlight apertureswith a dodgy arbor or holesaw jig, or I can have less powerful, less efficiently heat dissipated just LED bulbs.
Have only got electric wall panel heaters - most are broken - fortunately having a flat above and below keeps my flat sufficiently warm :)
Induction hob and microwave convection oven are a much more efficient way of cooking.
Poor quality Electrolux fridge and washing machine are not at all efficient - but can't justify replacing them without a lottery win, or product failure.
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Zak33
Etherium Mining with the doors closed.
If Scan wants to send me a free PC that will do such things, I am all up for it...
Also, what are these "doors" things and why are they closed? Something to do with Jim Morrison, that supermarket guy?
Re: What active energy saving measures do you take?
Was going so well,electrics for change from 12V MR16 to GU10 with LED bulbs all tested and working, just needed to push the downlighters back - one was a bit stiff and,w ith hindsight, I persuaded it too hard and created an inch sized hole in my ceiling - I hadn't noticed a massive blob of plaster inside the ceiling and the fitting caught on it.
My hallway was proof of concept for the mr16 to gu10 conversion - will let the (plaster) dust settle before I do another room.
BTW, ultimately looking at making my electrics IoT connected - I came across lightwaverf, basically you can fit a wireless connected lightswitch with the same wiring - US wireless switches won't work in the UK.
