Two or Three best energy saving devices.

Madpaddy · Expert Joined: Jun 25, 2004 Posts: 2128

I thought it would be a useful exercise for people to put down 2 or 3 specific devices they have found to be useful.

Here are my 3 and I look forward to seeing what other people have found good.

http://www.solaris-energy.ie/pdfs/FK2-ds11-05.pdf

These flat plate collector solar panels have withstood small branches falling on them in a gale. Top quality german engineering.

http://www.electrisave.co.uk

This is a useful device for educating your family on the electrical consumption of different appliances. It also shows the financial and environmental implications of your energy use.

http://www.megamanuk.com/catalogue/index.php

These are top quality CFL bulbs. I found the 9watt direct replacement bulbs for 50watt halogen spotlights particularly good.
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vision-master

I use a couple of these LED systems now.

Sheb

kjmclark · Heavy Crude Joined: Dec 09, 2005 Posts: 326

1. Bicycle. Unlike the lighting devices others listed, bikes save liquid fuel, the kind we're having problems with. Biking is also great mild exercise - with a basic proper fitting and anything other than a slow cadence biking is good for your knees while being great for your heart.

2. Ditto on hand tools. However, I would point out that a sharpened crosscut saw *is* a match for a chainsaw, is much less dangerous than a chainsaw, and makes a good family activity with more good moderate exercise.

3. A woodstove. Modern woodstoves are much cleaner and more efficient than their predecessors. They are pretty much carbon neutral, and if you use yours to also produce charcoal and put that in your garden, you're sequestering carbon *and* enriching your soil. At that rate, they are carbon negative.

Sheb

aflurry · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 28, 2005 Posts: 839

the bicycle may be seen as humanity's crowning acheivement.

it's usefulness is on the whole untapped.

Pops

I’d say the light switch, the thermostat and a good pair of shoes.

They are cheap to make, pretty well ubiquitous but unfortunately, underused.
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shaunpagan

I hate to mention this name because they used to be infamous for pop-up ads, but I use lots of X10 devices in my home.
Smart Home

These little devices allow you to REALLY turn off energy hogging devices like TV's, cable modems, stereo's, etc. when you leave the house or go to bed at night. When I cut the power to my devices that are already turned off, I save 93 watts. I've calculated that I save $74 a year just by cutting the power to my devices that are already turned off.

I know how much electricity each device uses because I have one of these cheap little meters. Under $25!!
Kill A Watt

I also purchased one of these reel mowers last year.
Reel Mower
I mowed last night and my 4 year old son followed me like he always does. I was able to have a normal conversation without shouting.

Niagara

The Boeing 767.

Just 2 of these amazing machines can collapse 3 hi-rise buildings thus saving gigawatts of future electricity consumption

cynthia · Heavy Crude Joined: May 29, 2005 Posts: 379

I built a solar oven at the end of last summer so didn't get much practice with it but we're back in solar cooking season and looking forward to using the sun for many of our summer meals.
Solar camp shower bags. My honey and I shower nightly outdoors-under the pear tree or grape arbor. Presently looking for a clean, black metal barrel to make a permanent outdoor situation.
Rain barrel collection system. Using rainwater to irrigate all of our greenhouse plants and more.
These virtually free and handy devices keep life simple.
cynthia

vision-master

JRP3 · Heavy Crude Joined: Oct 23, 2006 Posts: 396

green_achers

The wheel, the lever, and the inclined plane.
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SolarDave · Heavy Crude Joined: May 19, 2005 Posts: 382

Insulation. I cut my heatiing season in half and eliminated the air conditioner with extra attic insulation. With added water pipe insulation we now get two showers from one tank of hot water instead of one.

Skylights. We just don't use electricity to light the house during the day.

I second the Watt meter. Knowledge is power, in so many ways Wink

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