Energy Saving Devices

Innovative Energy Saving Devices.

Here are a few of the energy saving devices I have bought and have found useful in saving energy and reducing my bills..

The programmable thermostat. Every house should have one. You can pick up a programmable thermostat for under $30 or you can spend up to $500 on one that has a web interface and that will allow you to monitor and change the controls from your smart phone. The software can be very useful in helping identify how and when you can save on heating and cooling costs. Some models also have a sensor you can carry from room-to-room so your desired temperature follows you.

I purchased a remote switch power strip for my home office which works great. It has six switchable outlets and two that are always on. I keep the modem and router plugged into the always on outlets and have my task light, laptop, printer and speakers plugged into the switchable. I have the remote switch next to the light switch so that as I leave it's just a simple "click" to banish those pesky phantom loads (a phantom load is the electricity that is used by a device in standby mode.)

Watt meters measure how much electricity a device or appliance is using. They have progressed from the science schoolroom and are making an appearance in many eco-conscious homes. The one I have cost $30 and will measure both Watts and Amps. Not only is it geeky fun to go round your home measuring how much electricity everything uses (who would have thought a laptop in standby mode only uses 4 watts but in sleep mode it is over 20 watts?) but you can also leave the watt meter plugged in to an appliance like the refrigerator which cycles on and off, for a day or a week and it will tell you what the average daily or hourly consumption is.

Installing low flow shower heads and faucet aerators are one of the best, low cost methods of saving water. You could reduce your water use by over 50%. Both are easy to install. The faucet aerators cost as little as $5 and the low flow shower heads start at around $10.

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