Earth Sky Stars » energy conservation http://earthskystars.net/blog blog for earthskystars Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:35:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Finally bought a new LCD TV set … http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/03/01/finally-bought-a-new-lcd-tv-set/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/03/01/finally-bought-a-new-lcd-tv-set/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:22:06 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=143 Well Sandy and I finally gave in and bought a new TV set. Regular readers of this blog probably wonder what does that have to do with the environment or astronomy, the most common blog topics?

Well, truthfully, I just wanted the Nintendo WII out of my bedroom! The good news is the new TV is Energy Star compliant. In fact, the new set only uses a .5 watt in standby mode (off)! A big improvement over older TV sets.

]]> http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/03/01/finally-bought-a-new-lcd-tv-set/feed/ 0 Earth Hour 2009 http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/22/earth-hour-2009/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/22/earth-hour-2009/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:56:51 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=135 Last year (2008) Earth Hour went global. This year Earth Hour 2009 is even larger, with more cities and more countries. The premise is simple — turn out your lights, your TV, and any other appliances for 60 minutes as a symbol of your commitment to control climate change. Yes, it is a simple step of symbolism, but at least it is a step to control a problem that every nation on earth will soon face. On March 28th lets all turn out the lights!

Logo for Earth Hour 2009

Logo for Earth Hour 2009

]]> http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/22/earth-hour-2009/feed/ 0 Google enters the smart grid arena http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/16/google-enters-the-smart-grid-arena/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/16/google-enters-the-smart-grid-arena/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:19:33 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=128 Google previewed its new smart grid technology last week, PowerMeter. What’s the advantage of a smart power grid? The big advantage of a intelligent power grid is more efficient utilization of available power. For example, under heavy power loads a smart grid could request smart grid enabled appliances to go to a lower power state, saving the consumer money and keeping the power grid safe. It can also highlight inefficient appliances for the consumer.

Here’s two links about the PowerMeter technology:

The Google PowerMeter site
Green Wombat post on Google PowerMeter

]]> http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/16/google-enters-the-smart-grid-arena/feed/ 0 Have kids, want to save power? Try this … http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/08/have-kids-want-to-save-power-try-this/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/08/have-kids-want-to-save-power-try-this/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:18:02 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=118 One annoying thing about kids is getting them to turn lights off. Sure with CFL or LED lighting it’s not that bad, but every little bit helps. So why not have the lights turn themselves off? Try one of these timer switches from Intermatic:

Intermatic electronic wall timers

One thing about electronic timers — make sure they work with CFLs, some don’t.

]]> http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/02/08/have-kids-want-to-save-power-try-this/feed/ 0 Sanyo solar modules arrive! http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/01/06/sanyo-solar-modules-arrive/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/01/06/sanyo-solar-modules-arrive/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:16:25 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=83 The photo-voltaic (solar) power system is now sitting in my garage! Hopefully, when the weather breaks on Thursday, Dave Cozine and crew can get them installed. Here’s a photo of the modules.

Sanyo 200 watt modules arrive

Sanyo 200 watt modules arrive

For each of the 10 modules (200 watt x 10 = 2,000 watts) there is an Enphase grid-tie inverter. Unlike most systems where there is a single, central inverter, the Enphase converts 32vdc to 240vac at the solar panel. If you lose an inverter you only lose the output from one module. Here’s a photo.

Photograph of Enphase grid-tie power inverter

Photograph of Enphase grid-tie power inverter

]]> http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/01/06/sanyo-solar-modules-arrive/feed/ 0 Other “green projects” for the holidays … http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/01/01/other-green-projects-for-the-holidays/ http://earthskystars.net/blog/2009/01/01/other-green-projects-for-the-holidays/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:34:08 +0000 Bill Clugston http://earthskystars.net/blog/?p=78 While waiting for the solar power install the Clugston’s haven’t been idle on greening our household. Sandy and I took advantage of the deep cuts in appliance prices to buy a new refrigerator. Of course it’s Energy Star compliant. In fact any refrigerator over 10 years old is probably not using power efficiently! It’s a shame I won’t have the time to test the old refrigerator against the new one with a “Kill-a-Watt” watt meter. The comparison would be interesting :-)

The other green project was replacing high flow faucets and shower heads with low flow units. This is an easy and inexpensive project. And you save on both water heating and water usage costs. You also reduce your carbon footprint as well (less natural gas burned).

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