Lets get conserving

So today I looked at my utility bill so that I can get a idea of my usage per day. HOLY CRAP! 29kWh a day!! Even with a modest array running at max efficiency I would only hope to make 5kWh a day. So its time to start becoming more conservative with the grid power I use so that when I finally get a pv system up and running I will already be practicing good habbits.

Here are some things you can do at your home to reduce your energy use with out really affecting your way of life. Note: Conserving energy isn't cheap in the beginning. But long term it could save you hundreds.


First, replace all your incandescent light bulbs with Compact florescent lights (CFL). You can get the same brightness of a 60 watt bulb and only use 20 watts of power. These are not cheap however. You can pick up a 4 pack of regular bulbs for less than a buck but a 6 pack of CFLs could run you 10 dollars or more.

Second, turn your water heater down to 120 degrees. Not only will your heating cycles on your tank be shorter but it will keep you safe as well. Under 130 degree water you could develop scalding burns after only 10 seconds of exposure. Other ways you can reduce your electric consumption with your water heater is insulate the heater its self. Most cheaper heaters lack the internal insulation that is needed to keep most the energy you spend heating your water in the water. Also wrap all the pipes that you can find.

An additional step, and one that is not practical for everyone, is to install a timer for the heating elements. I am going to install a timer on my tank that will shut off the power to my water tank 2 times a day. Between the hours of midnight and 430 am and again between 10am and 1pm. And if your going to be away from the house longer than 6 hours program the timer to be off until 1 hour before you get home.

Third, we all have our entertainment centers. Nice tvs, sound system, game consoles. But did you know that while not in use and power off all those systems could be drawing up to 5 watts each? figure you go to bed at 10pm and you wake up at 6am and your entertainment center draws an idle load of 15watts. Thats a 120 watts over night and 3.6 kWh in a month and it all adds up. Its recommended that you plug all your equipment to a power strip and use the power switch on the strip to turn off your equipment before bed.

There are other thing that you can do to help with your energy consumption, but they require the greatest changes in lifestyle. These include, hang drying your clothes, using shower head that have "pause" valves on them like this one, to replacing a whole host of appliances that you use everyday. In a later post I will discuss ways you can change your lifestyle and help you save power.

In other news

I HAVE A FOLLOWER!!!!! Thanks Uncle Mike!!

Solar Basics

So I have been researching solar energy for a last few weeks. I know that I want to start generating my own power but have never gotten the idea off the ground. Well now I have a better idea of what I will need to get this done. I found this video on the DOEs website and thought I would share it. It is nothing that I already didn't know about but I still thought I should share it.

So Started a blog today...

So I started this blog today. I have been doing a few things and felt the need to share them. What better way than with a blog. First I am a home owner. What that comes projects...which I will share the steps with you all (all as in my wife who will most likely be my only reader. I have also started losing weight and this seems like a good place to write that out as I do it. Currently my new "hobbie" is producing my own power from solar and wind generation. (Why do I always find really expensive hobbies?) ANd this will be a place that others (hopefully) will be able to read and learn from my mistakes.

Enjoy!