Kill-A-Watt Rocks

[priusblue]

So, I bought a Kill-A-Watt meter:

link

as mentioned on this post a while back

a few weeks ago, and I've tested basically everything in the house at this point. I found out lots of stuff to help my energy leaks and also figured out what doesn't make a difference.

Things that really don't matter (don't draw when they're off) include:
1) electric toothbrush charger
2) hair dryer
3) cell phone charger (this was good news)
4) clocks
5) TV - it's an energy star and draws only 2 watts when off - but I still plugged it in to a Smart Strip
6) Fridge - it's 6 years old, but still about as good as the newest energy star models

But there were a few surprises
1) Our relatively small freezer - pulls 380 kWH per year - ouch! Almost as much as our fridge - I'm going to try to move most of our stuff to the regular freezer and only use the outside freezer when needed. I may switch to a smaller chest style freezer in a few years.
2) The computer "standby" mode doesn't help much at all. The computer pulls about 80 watts regular, but still 60 when on standby. We've switched to hibernate mode, which still starts up quick, but only draws 4 watts
3) Our dish network box. This sucker draws 30 watts all the time! Even when the TV is off. The problem is that it takes 5 mins + to reinitialize with the sattelite, etc. So, I'm thinking about a timer for it to only be on in the evenings when we actually use the TV. I actually wrote a letter to Dish Network on this one.

I also found out that we have pretty high voltage, which makes our CFL bulbs draw a little (1 W) more than specified (and everything else, I suppose). All in all, I think the above changes in addition to using smart strips on our TV/AV equipment and computer accessories (hooked up to the monitor which turns off when the CPU goes to hibernate) will cut about 700 kWH/ year, even without taking any action on the freezer. That means this device will pay for itself in about 6 months. Sweet!

Anybody use timers on their hot water heaters? Does that work well?

[David]

I also bought a Kill A Watt and was surprised at what I found. Our old TV doesn't draw much but our Comcast/Motorola DVR HD cable box does even when off. It should have been obvious how much the cable box drew because of the amount of heat it generate.

We're starting a new home soon and based on my energy research going with all energy star appliances and solar domestic water heat. The cost for the solar should pay back in just under 2 years. The solar will also help power a small recirculation pump that will cut down on water useage because we don't have to wait for hot water to come out.

A little bit of mindfulness and research can go a long way in saving $ and resources.

[enerjazz]

If you really want to get into measuring get a WattsUp Pro.

It logs the use over time and you can download the graph to your PC. You can watch your compressor kick on and off on the fridge. You see how much power is used in run, sleep, and off. It's a great device.

For energy saving tips see my house web site - The Westbrook House

[mikepaul]

I got one a while back, since it fit my gadget budget. I was tired of power glitches requiring me to reset the clock on my otherwise-acceptably-designed HDTV, and wanted to buy an APC UPS to keep it running 24/7. It turned out to draw around 240W max, and 35W when off due to a 24/7 fan it requires. The ~300W UPS has kept it going uninterrupted for many months now.

I checked a few appliances but wasn't in the mood to change anything just to save a few pennies here and there. Maybe later...

[kirbinster]

How can you say a hair dryer does not use much power. A typical hair dryer consumes 1500-1800 watts! True it may not be used for long periods of time (unless you have a teenage daughter with long hair), and you generally don't leave it on when it is not being used. But, it probably has the highest draw rate of anything in your house -- more than your fridge, computer, tv or anything else.

[priusblue]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster @ Apr 10 2006, 02:22 PM) [snapback]237596[/snapback]</div>

How can you say a hair dryer does not use much power. A typical hair dryer consumes 1500-1800 watts! True it may not be used for long periods of time (unless you have a teenage daughter with long hair), and you generally don't leave it on when it is not being used. But, it probably has the highest draw rate of anything in your house -- more than your fridge, computer, tv or anything else.
[/b]

when it's just plugged in and not running, is what I mean. I only use it once or twice a week, but left it plugged in all the time. Some of the blocky power verters draw power all the time, so I was wondering if I should unplug it. Obviously, when it's running it uses alot.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mikepaul @ Apr 10 2006, 01:58 PM) [snapback]237574[/snapback]</div>

I got one a while back, since it fit my gadget budget. I was tired of power glitches requiring me to reset the clock on my otherwise-acceptably-designed HDTV, and wanted to buy an APC UPS to keep it running 24/7. It turned out to draw around 240W max, and 35W when off due to a 24/7 fan it requires. The ~300W UPS has kept it going uninterrupted for many months now.

I checked a few appliances but wasn't in the mood to change anything just to save a few pennies here and there. Maybe later...
[/b]

I think this will save me more than a few pennies. Just what I've done so far will save $56/year, but more importantly, 945 lb CO2. If I trade out or unplug my freezer, that would be another $32 and 540 lb CO2.

[bigdaddy]

I recently bought one too. So far, has resulted in me taking two rarely used computers off line unless needed, turning off computer monitors when not in use, lecturing the kids on light bulbs, spending about $200 on compact flourescent bulbs, setting the wine cellar to 57 instead of 55, discovering and disconnecting a satellite player that was plugged in but not being used, putting the basement and bedroom entertainment centers on power strips, and taking the suggestions here for getting a couple of small solar panels (20watt ones) and feeding a battery off of those (I use it to run all battery chargers, like cell phone and roomba).

[priusblue]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bigdaddy @ Apr 10 2006, 04:15 PM) [snapback]237689[/snapback]</div>

I recently bought one too. So far, has resulted in me taking two rarely used computers off line unless needed, turning off computer monitors when not in use, lecturing the kids on light bulbs, spending about $200 on compact flourescent bulbs, setting the wine cellar to 57 instead of 55, discovering and disconnecting a satellite player that was plugged in but not being used, putting the basement and bedroom entertainment centers on power strips, and taking the suggestions here for getting a couple of small solar panels (20watt ones) and feeding a battery off of those (I use it to run all battery chargers, like cell phone and roomba).
[/b]

Sweet! Was the solar charger hard to set up? Do you run it to your roof and have a charging station somewhere?

[Frank Hudon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David @ Apr 10 2006, 08:35 AM) [snapback]237505[/snapback]</div>

The solar will also help power a small recirculation pump that will cut down on water useage because we don't have to wait for hot water to come out.
[/b]

we have the recirc pump at work but unless you insulate the pipes it's a waste. As all your doing is turning them into inefficient radiators, inside walls and basements etc. Pipe wrap on all hot pipes everywhere in the house from the water heater on out/up.

[bigdaddy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusblue @ Apr 10 2006, 07:01 PM) [snapback]237771[/snapback]</div>

Sweet! Was the solar charger hard to set up? Do you run it to your roof and have a charging station somewhere?
[/b]

I bought a small kit, see page 2 of this thread where daryllDD were talking about this type of setup...

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=17088&st=20

Not hard to do, I have mine propped up outside my office window facing SSW, put the battery in a waterproof box outside the window...

I use an inverter for most things, but is inefficient, though not sure how much power I am using going through the inverter.