Tech Gadgets To Help You Save Money On Energy

October 21, 2011 By

Tech Gadgets To Help You Save Money On Energy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Investing in a few high-tech gadgets now can really help you cut down on your energy bills later. best buy gave WCCO-TV some tips on simple changes you can make to your home.

The easiest way to watch your energy usage is to upgrade your thermostat. by buying a programmable thermostat you can set it to go off when you are at work or away from home and then warm up as you return.

Best buy is now offering Control 4, a service that connects your Smartphone or tablet to your home utilities and some electronics. in certain set-ups, you can adjust the brightness of the lights and set your temperature controls from anywhere in the world as long as you’re connected to the Internet.

The cost of a Control 4 home set up will vary depending on how elaborate it is.

Best buy also said that upgrading to a front load washing machine will save you on average $900 over 11 years. if you make sure it is an energy-efficient model it can save you even more.

They also suggest powering down computers and turning off monitors because sleep mode still uses power. Setting a lower background level for computer monitors, TV screens, and smart phones can cut down on energy use, too.

Finally, putting the refrigerator and freezer temperatures to the manufacturer’s recommended setting can save you even more money.

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Information on Solar Panels

October 16, 2011 By

Information on Solar Panels

Solar energy is one of the main forms of green energy in the world today. Solar panels take a fraction of the power of the sun’s rays and convert it into a form of renewable energy.

Formerly only seen on massive power plants as an alternative to fossil fuels, solar panels are becoming increasingly more widespread, visible most recently on roadside speed display signs.

And yet the employment of the solar panel is not strictly confined to the domain of government and business. indeed the UK government are encouraging a more widespread use of renewable energy sources in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, a goal only achieved by minimising the country’s dependence on fossil fuel use.

Indeed one such way of doing this that has yet to be fully exploited is in roof mounted panels, where the natural slope is ideal to harness the power of the sun’s rays. however domestic use of the technology, especially in the UK, is limited to the hours of sunlight that can be absorbed and retained to power a household, as it would be folly indeed to rely upon something as fickle as the English weather.

Despite its dependence on sufficient exposure to sunlight, solar panel technology has found its way into a multitude of other avenues, including mobile phones, laptops, planes and other forms of vehicle, with the potential for other uses increasing as solar technology is further developed.

So how does it work?

The size of the unit and, therefore, the power they generate is determined by the number of solar cells in its design. Cells in the solar panel do not act independently but together and their formation is determined by the desired voltage output and current capability. Solar cells use the sun’s light energy, known as photons, to generate an electric current. This current is then taken from the panels by conducting wires.

Although a renewable form of energy, solar panels are not entirely efficient, only managing to harness a fraction of the power of the sun’s rays. This is due to the wide spectrum of frequencies of light that the sun emits compared to the narrow spectrum of frequencies that the panels can absorb.

The vast majority of the sun’s energy is therefore wasted, providing vast opportunities for the future of the technology should this problem be remedied, and with it a greater scope for its use in combating the threat of the continued use of fossil fuels.

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DHi Gets Production Contract for Six Wind Turbine Slip Rings

October 8, 2011 By

1318101307 51 DHi Gets Production Contract for Six Wind Turbine Slip Rings

MANASSAS PARK, Va., Sep 27, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –DHi(R) (Defense Holdings, inc.(R)) of Manassas Park, VA has received a contract from H&N Electric, Pasco, WA for six long-life, low-maintenance wind turbine blade pitch control slip rings. These advanced wind turbine slip ring systems feature Stemmann units refurbished and remanufactured to incorporate revolutionary HiPerCon(R) Metal Fiber Brushes (MFBs). while other components of the slip ring require annual lubrication, these new electric brushes are capable of operating for up to 5 years without maintenance. the new wind turbine slip ring is designed to replace the OEM blade pitch control slip ring in a GE 1.5MW wind turbine. the first DHi refurbished and remanufactured wind turbine slip ring using HiPerCon’s long life electric brushes was installed in may of this year at the PacifiCorp Leaning Juniper Wind Farm near Arlington, Oregon and has operated flawlessly in the wind turbine since being installed.

Metal Fiber Brushes vs. Carbon Brushes or Metal-Graphitic Brushes for Slip Ring Applications

Metal Fiber Brushes, which gain their name from the fact that they are electric brushes constructed of thousands of hair-fine silver alloy fibers running on their tips, offer significant improvement over carbon brushes and carbon-metallic brushes in both data and current transfer, offering extended brush and slip ring service life of at least twice the service life of carbon and carbon–metallic brushes, high current capacity of 250 amps/inch(2), and significant decreases in acoustic and electrical noise at sliding speeds up to 70 meters/second. These long life electric brushes produce 80% less wear debris than solid brushes and require ZERO lubrication reducing the need for expensive maintenance and reducing the potential for short circuits and grounds. Metal Fiber Brushes, with their low spring force, are far less likely to damage the slip ring surface than carbon brushes or carbon-metallic brushes. Metal Fiber Brushes’ silver alloy fiber offers significantly better service life and higher sliding speeds over gold wire technology at a considerable price advantage. HiPerCon(R) MFB slip rings can be supplied as a form, fit, and function replacement to most existing slip ring designs, as demonstrated herein. their long life, high reliability, and low maintenance make them ideal for wind turbine use.

Metal Fiber Electric Brushes are Designed to Outperform Traditional Carbon Brushes

DHi originally developed Metal Fiber Brush technology under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program working with HiPerCon, LLC, the U.S. Navy and the University of Virginia. Metal Fiber Brushes have been retro-fitted to slip rings in a large portion of the Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, are in testing for various slip ring applications in fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, and are being used for other commercial applications including shaft grounding brush systems where shaft bearing protection or long life electric brushes are needed.

Long Life Electric Brushes for Wind Turbine Applications

H&N Electric is a member of NAWSA (North American Wind Service Alliance), which is North America’s only integrated wind turbine service network dedicated to providing efficient and professional repair service for wind powered engines.

Rich Martin, DHi’s President and CEO, states, “We are really excited to be working with H&N Electric and the NAWSA group of companies to bring our Metal Fiber Brush technology to the wind power industry. our new and remanufactured slip rings with long life electric brushes offer up to a five year maintenance interval (cleaning/inspection) and at least 200 million revolution Metal Fiber Brush service life.”

Founded in 1994 and originally operated as Noesis, inc., DHi is a privately-held, service-disabled, veteran-owned, minority-owned, small business that works with customers to overcome the limitations of conventional carbon brushes and carbon-metallic brushes and slip ring systems. DHi is based in Manassas Park, VA with other facilities in Charlottesville, VA and Trenton, NC. DHi has been ISO 9001 registered since 2003 and has received awards from the local, state, and federal government for outstanding technical innovation and performance.

H&N Electric specializes in working with customers on solving problems inherent with wind turbine generators and their associated components and provides a wide range of wind turbine repairs including, but not limited to, generator, gearbox, slip ring, bearings, and electrical repair both up and down tower.

SOURCE: Defense Holdings, inc.

DHi Greg Bender, 703-334-2858 x2871 [email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2011

1318101307 75 DHi Gets Production Contract for Six Wind Turbine Slip Rings

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Solar Panels – Crystalline vs Amorphous

September 21, 2011 By

Solar Panels Crystalline vs Amorphous

The majority of solar energy roofing systems that have been installed over the last several decades use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells to convert solar energy to electricity. Typically, these crystalline solar panels have sunlight conversion efficiencies that range from 8 to 15 percent. unfortunately, crystalline solar panels are a pricey option in solar energy roofing, due to a complicated and labor intensive manufacturing process.

On the other hand, a newer and less expensive type of solar photovoltaic panel has emerged in the solar panel roofing scene: Amorphous solar photovoltaic panels. because amorphous solar roofing systems require a less intensive manufacturing process, they are far more affordable than their crystalline counterparts. Amorphous panels do, however, have lower conversion efficiencies than crystalline systems. Typical amorphous panels have energy conversion efficiencies that range from 2 to 4 percent.

Solar Panel Roofing

More and more, home and business owners are turning to solar energy roofing solutions as a way to combat rising energy costs and promote environmental responsibility.

Well-suited for the notoriously unpredictable (and sometimes harsh) weather in in the Mid-west, as well as throughout the country, solar PV panel systems can dramatically reduce the heating and cooling costs of your home or business. In fact, a 10 kW system of solar PV panels will generate the energy equivalent of 583,000 lbs of coal over it’s lifetime Over that same lifetime, solar pv panel installation will add to your bottom line. In just the first six years of usage, the anticipated total savings, revenue, and incentives of a $225,000 installation are greater than $250,000. the ability of your building to be self-sufficient in energy production will also allow you to sell excess energy to other companies. On top of the savings, your business/home will demonstrate environmental awareness. Our company will also provide an interactive system that will display the output gained by the installation of your solar pv panel so that you can see results instantly.

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Workshop to focus on alternative-energy installation   – News – The Charleston Gazette – West Virginia News and Sports -

August 18, 2011 By

Workshop to focus on alternative energy installation   News The Charleston Gazette West Virginia News and Sports

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — the Coal River Watershed Group plans to host a workshop on Saturday about wiring and equipment installations in its new Alternative Energy Building, which overlooks the Upper Falls on the Coal River.

Visitors will be able to learn about how to install windmills, geothermal heating and cooling systems, solar panels and hydro turbines.

The workshop is scheduled to be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dave Lewis of Monarch Electric Company will explain how the Coal River Group's Alternative Energy Building will also provide power for the group's entire conference center in Tornado.

The non-profit group used logs to construct the building next to the group's Science and Education Center in Tornado.

"our efforts to address the real issues that impact our rivers and streams has brought entire communities together to get the job done," said bill Currey, co-founder of the watershed group.

During the past seven years, Currey's group has removed litter, built new sewers and restored streams throughout the Coal River area.

The Coal River forms near Alum Creek, where the big Coal and Little Coal rivers join together, then flows northward into the Kanawha River at St. Albans.

The group has received financial support from the state Legislature, private industry and individual donors.

"the cost for utilities was a big factor in our budget once the building was completed," Currey said. "we looked at the cost of electricity for this all-electric building and said to ourselves, 'Let's make this an off-the-grid, self-supporting building and eliminate the cost for purchased electricity altogether.'"

The ongoing project was developed by the River Center Team, a group of volunteers including master electricians, contractors, financial advisors, private business owners and regulatory officials.

"together they have helped us put together a plan which, when implemented, will provide a bank of batteries with a continuous source of charge," Currey said.

Today, the project's Power Management Center generates its power through a combination of solar panels, a propeller-driven hydro turbine and a roof-mounted windmill.

"we are attempting to do something no one else has done on this scale in West Virginia," Curry said.

 the River Center Team has already held a training seminar for local building inspectors.

For more information about the workshop, Currey can be reached at bi…@suddenlink.net.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny…@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5164.

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Solar Power – How It Works and How to Use It

August 15, 2011 By

Solar Power How It Works and How to Use It

What is solar power? why is it important to know it? why do we need to learn the ways of utilizing it? These questions might be the same ones that are running across your mind. If that is so, then you definitely came to the right place. we know just the right stuff that you might need for you to learn more about it. It is essential that you know its uses, its implementations and the benefits that you would get. So sit back and relax as you read the next few paragraphs.

It is by far, the cleanest and most efficient alternative energy or power source in the world. by the word Alternative, it means that it is a different option or choice other than the traditional utility power or electricity which is derived or taken from fossil fuels. why is it important to stop using electricity produced by fossil fuels? If you are not aware of it, these fossil fuels, when processed on power plants, produce harmful carbon gases as byproducts. These carbon byproducts increase the capacity of the planet to trap the warmth of the sun. Though it might sound like a good thing, the bad thing about it is that it also increases the incapability of the planet to reflect back the sun’s heat, thus, making the planet hotter than normal.

It is power taken from the heat of the sun. the heat of the sun is harvested through panels filled with photovoltaic cells. These panels are called solar panels. These panels would capture the heat, convert it into electricity, and transfer it on a waiting battery for storage. It has no byproduct since it comes from the heat of the sun. This means that the energy produced is from a clean source. That is why it is regarded as one of the best option when in the planet when it comes to alternative energy sources. It is also free.

You do not have to have a solar power plant near you to enjoy solar power. the best thing about it is that you can create your own solar panels. All you have to do next is to place these panels somewhere it would be able to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This would help you cut your electricity bills in half and lessen the need for fossil – powered electricity. using solar power is one of the best ways to help save the environment. the status of the environment is getting worse and if we do not do anything about it, we shall see are doom not far from now. It is not too late, use solar power.

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LADWP proposes to re-start Solar Incentive Program with double funding

July 9, 2011 By

1310182028 33 LADWP proposes to re start Solar Incentive Program with double funding

On July 6th, 2011, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP, Los Angeles, California, U.S.) announced a proposal to re-launch its Solar Incentive Program (SIP) with USD 60 million in annual funding for the next three years, double the previous amount.

The SIP program was suspended on April 8th, 2011, and the LADWP states that it expects to restart the program in September 2011.

The utility also reviewed segments of a new program which it describes as a feed-in tariff, based on California’s SB 32 legislation.

“During public workshops, we heard overwhelming support for expanding local solar power, including fully funding the SIP and launching a feed-in tariff program, to benefit customers, the environment and the green economy in Los Angeles," states LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager Aram Benyamin.

"These two initiatives, if approved, will work together to expand renewable energy within our service area and contribute to our renewable energy goal of 33 percent by 2020."

New SIP incentives to be closer to CSI levels

LADWP states that proposed revised incentive levels will be in line with "market prices" and the California Solar Initiative.

A chart provided by the utility shows proposed incentives starting at between USD 2 and 2.50 per watt, and declining to nearly USD .50 per watt when the final degression is reached.

The utility notes that its previous incentive levels were much higher than state incentive levels.

Feed-in tariff, or not?

LADWP’s states that its proposed "feed-in tariff" program will seek to install 75 MW of distributed renewable energy, and will target mid-sized renewable energy projects within the LADWP service area.

However, the utility states that it will buy the electricity generated for a negotiated price. this is unlike European-style feed-in tariff programs, which offer a standard price for different renewable energy generation technologies at different scales.

A number of renewable energy policy experts including Paul Gipe of Wind-Works do not consider programs that offer negotiated prices to be true feed-in tariffs.

LADWP proposes to implement this program with a 5 MW demonstration program in the fall of 2011.

Proposals to be discussed at public workshop

LADWP will hold a public workshop to discuss both programs and receive input from customers and other stakeholders on July 4th, 2011. Both proposals are subject to review and approval by the Board of Water & Power Commissioners.

2011-07-09| Courtesy: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at: www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html

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Interior Designer Elisabeth Weinstock Launches Luxury Home & Accessories Collection

July 7, 2011 By

Interior Designer Elisabeth Weinstock Launches Luxury Home & Accessories CollectionPress Release Source: Elisabeth Weinstock Design On Wednesday June 8, 2011, 8:00 am EDT

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Acclaimed Los Angeles-based interior designer Elisabeth Weinstock has extended her much-sought-after creative vision to a new line of extravagant home & exotic skin leather goods. in a collection as dramatic as her stunning interiors, the line features an exclusive range of delicately handcrafted items made from the finest leathers and exotic skins.

Weinstock credits her long-time love of exotic travel as the inspiration behind the super-chic line. Luxury materials sourced worldwide and interpreted by the designer’s unconventional point of view, find their way to Anaconda luggage tags, python dopp kits, iPad cases, desk accessories, and precious jewelry boxes in faux or authentic boa. Signature pieces include a black python Semainier jewelry cabinet – the Luxembourg - standing 48″ tall with eight drawers, side opening panels, gang lock and concealed mirror; The Oxford, a modern single-drawer vanity, stuns in natural python with polished nickel or antique brass hardware. Color treatments include naturally pigmented exotic skins through to magenta, midnight blue or canary yellow.

Celebrity fans who already own items from the collection include; Gabriele Bryn, Naomi Campbell, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Dr. Phil McGraw, and Steven Tyler.

Retail prices range from $85.00 – $300 for luggage tags and small leather goods to $25,000 for truly decadent items such as the Luxembourg. The collection is available online at www.elisabethweinstockdesign.com and Maxfield in Los Angeles, 4510 in Dallas, Hirshlifers in New York.

ABOUT ELIZABETH WEINSTOCK

Elisabeth Weinstock is a Los Angeles-based interior designer, born and raised in Southern California. she studied fashion design at Woodbury University and upon completion, she began designing lingerie, ultimately creating Coton Blanc, a very successful lingerie company that was sold worldwide. Ten years later, she parlayed her design passion into her true love-interior design. Weinstock is the creative visionary behind some of the most high-profile residential interiors on the West Coast. she also works in boutique commercial interior design for fashion and lifestyle clients. Weinstock lives and works in Los Angeles.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6752596&lang=en

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6752596

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Streaming Full Moon 3 Online « Bennetts Blog

April 5, 2011 By

1301979609 60 Streaming Full Moon 3 Online « Bennetts BlogStreaming full Moon 3 Online.

Movie Title: full Moon 3 Average customer review: 1301979609 33 Streaming Full Moon 3 Online « Bennetts Blog

Full Moon 3 is available for streaming or downloading.

Click here to Stream or Download full Moon 3

When I bought this at F.Y.E I had only read the first 2 volumes of the manga. I knew it was an anime to and so when I saw this I was like “Volume 3…dang..they dont have 1.. Oh well sense I’ve read the manga I’ll understand whats going on 1301979609 80 Streaming Full Moon 3 Online « Bennetts Blog ” Haha. When I watched it I was like what the-…THe manga and anime are COMPLETELY DIFERENT. I didnt understand it. but now that I’ve watched the WHOLE thing… all the episodes on this are filelrs and arent very fine. Episode 11 was the only enchanting episode. Haha that was so humorous at the raze..xD..

Buy,Download, or Stream full Moon 3! Click Here

Episode 9: Mitsuki might as well verbalize Wakouji that she IS Corpulent Moon? THe whole wearisome episode is Mitsuki tryiong to execute Wakouji loisten to her song but he hates music (D:!!!!!) the only intresting piece was where he visited Mitsuki’s parents grave.

Episode 10: THis episode is a Miniature more intresting (Thank god.) THat mrs. Komaki definite is a bi— at the beginning. I feel sorry for Burly Moon. :/. And that defective manager guy o_O..

Buy,Download, or Stream full Moon 3! Click Here

Episode 11: WOOT! Finally something intresting and Captivating even though its one stout filler. The ends silly but it serves the photographer lawful.

Episode 12: Oh my god. The biggest filler in Plump Moon.

Only select this to spy Episode 11 and if you cant stand a gap in your collection 1301979609 80 Streaming Full Moon 3 Online « Bennetts Blog

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this entry was posted on Monday, April 4th, 2011 at 8:21 pm and is filed under Full Moon 3. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Does unplugging appliances when going away really save energy?

March 28, 2011 By

1301275214 56 Does unplugging appliances when going away really save energy?

I have heard that you can save on your energy bill by unplugging such things as computers, TV's, & major appliances (no, not fridge or freezer!) if you are going to be away from home for awhile. Does anyone know if this is true, what kind of savings are we talking here? Also, would really like links to any sites that discuss such things. (Please don't just tell me to Google it, I know that much already.) Thanks!

There is electricity running to appliances, even if they are off, when they are plugged in so yes it would save energy. I'm not sure if the savings on your bill would be significant but if more people did this the environment would benefit very much.

Meh, I leave everything on when I leave my house.

The environment is much stronger thanall of mankind and thinking we can alter it is preopstorous

It depends – unplugging ensures that a device is completely unpowered, regardless of standby modes or possible defective switches.

Some things are fully off when switched, but a computer switched off from the front panel will usually have standby power activated.

It may be easier to unplug than reach around the back to use the power supply switch. Equally, most LCD TVs tend to hide the main power switch in an awkward location.

In an average home, 2500 sf, you could save about $30 per year, depending on how many hours you are away from home. I found good info. on www.entergy.com , our local power company. Check with your power provider for your area savings.

YES it deffiently will!!

yepp b/c the appliances plugged in will keep running energy, wether those appliances have been turned off or not.

The answers here are all over the place Yes/No/Maybe so icon smile Does unplugging appliances when going away really save energy?

I have measured many appliances with a kWh meter http://www.nlcpr.com/ApplianceData.php and can tell you with certainty that the savings will be small. A TV on standby will draw about 1 watt which costs about 2 cents a week if you pay 12 cents a kWh. Digital clocks and some transformers might also waste a few pennies a week.

You might get better savings from unplugging a cable box & DVR (about 30Watts or 60 cents a week) or your computer systems when you are away.

It can get kind of silly when the savings would take years just to pay off a power strip. on the other hand, there are things that really do save a lot of power like using a low flow shower head. The largest power usage in most homes by far is heat/cooling and domestic hot water. Appliance standby power is way down at the bottom of the list.

Well for starters it's does save money. I think the main thing to realize is it's saving energy, which helps the environment as well as your pocket. It would be an eco friendly move on your part.

Here are a few interesting articles:

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/relea…
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/artic…

Any appliance with a digital clock on it consumes at least a small amount of energy to run the clock. so a DVD player, VCR, coffee maker with delayed start, alarm clock, and so on all draw a small amount of power. for example, my coffee maker draws 2 watts continuously. Also any device that can be operated by remote control usually draws a small amount of power just waiting for you to turn it on via remote control (if it didn't, it could never be ready to respond to the remote).

Any device that has an AC to DC or voltage converter built in may use energy even when you're not using it. for example, cable modem, wireless router, PC speakers, printer, etc.

I once went around my house with a Kill A Watt meter (a great tool if you're serious about saving energy – available for about $25 or some libraries lend them out) and measured the 'phantom load' or 'vampire load' of all the devices in my home and found:
– Computer display (an old one): 77 watts on, 0 watts off
– Cable modem: 7 watts
– Wireless router: 9.5 watts
– Printer power supply: 4 watts
– Speakers: 1 watt
– DVD player: 60 watts if left on and not running
– VCR player: 3.5 watts off, 100 watts on
– Breadmaker: 3 watts when off but plugged in
– Coffee mill with LED display: 1 watt
– Coffee maker as mentioned earlier: 2 watts
– Microwave: 5 watts
– Cordless phone set: 1.5 watts
– Carbon monoxide detector (plug-in): 1 watt
– Clock radio (no sound): 1 watt
– Programmable thermostat: 9 watts (required during heating season but otherwise not)

Some of the above I would turn off when not in use, such as the DVD player or computer monitor. The others you tend to leave on because it seems like they don't draw much power. But in my case we were using over 50 watts of power continuously, 24 hours a day, on devices some of which were only used an hour a day, two hours a week, or for something like the coffee mill, one minute a day.

Now, how much would you save? let's assume you pay $0.15 per kilowatt hour for electricity. if you have a phantom load of 50 watts (i.e. that's how much is being used in your house by things other than the fridge and freezer when you're not there), then each day you'll use 24 hours x 50 watts, or 1,200 watt hours, which becomes 1.2 kilowatt hours. so at $0.15 per day you'd be paying about $0.18 per day. if you want to unplug just while on vacation, you won't save that much – only about $1.26 for a one-week vacation.

There are two ways in which you really save. first, if you cut larger loads for shorter periods you'll save more. for instance, an instant-on television keeps its screen warm continuously so that when you turn it on via remote the screen instantly displays brightly. some of these burn 50 watts continuously just on their own, so that $1.26 for a week would be just to keep the TV warmed up.

Secondly, if you get rid of phantom loads as much as possible throughout the year, and year over year, the savings really add up. that $1.26 a week could become $66 a year. try things like putting all your computer equipment on a power bar and only turning it on when you're using the computer; unplugging kitchen and other appliances that have digital clocks on them when they're not needed; and not leaving chargers or AC to DC converters plugged in except hen the device they are connected to is doing useful work for you.

I highly recommend getting a Kill A Watt or similar meter and figuring out for yourself how much each of your appliances uses. there is big variation between different makes and models of each appliance. Toasters, for example, as a rule never use any electricity when not toasting bread, but there is one that is touted as energy efficient (it toasts using 30% less energy than most) but it has a constant draw of about 2 watts, which means it actually wastes energy over all. A Kill A Watt meter will pay for itself in energy savings in less than a year if you do things right. plus you'll become an expert and can tell all your friends how much they can save too!

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