mapawatt » nc state solar

Google PowerMeter Actions

Chris — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:49:57 +0000

Google PowerMeter just released a new feature called Actions. From the official Google.org blog:

Google PowerMeter now offers personalized energy savings recommendations to help you save more energy and show off your savings. You can find it under “Take action” in your Google PowerMeter page.

Over time, the feature will provide even more useful tips. As your energy consumption behavior changes, you will receive new recommendations to help you save even more.

In addition to receiving customized energy saving recommendations, you’ll earn a special badge when you complete a recommendation. Collecting badges is a fun way of keeping track of your accomplishments to reduce energy waste and save money. And you might even strike up some friendly competition among family and friends to see who can collect the most badges the fastest!

Since I have a TED 5000 and the Google PowerMeter I was able to test it out. It’s pretty neat, but I would like to see some tweaks so it becomes more useful. For one, it would be nice to see more focus on geographic neighbors. For instance, it says my daily average is 29% higher than homes like mine. Is that homes all over the US? Maybe their summer hasn’t been as hot as it has been in Atlanta. Also, it may be better to see more options to select about your home. In any case it’s a great feature and I like to see more from PowerMeter actions!

See a sample of my results below!

Efficient Energy: Efergy energy monitor

Chris — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:09:41 +0000

The following guest post was written by Lyn Chapman, the General Manager of Energy Monitoring Systems Canada (based on Ontario), a manufacturers rep for the Efergy energy monitor. Lyn has been vocal in his support on the Efergy monitor, especially on our Efergy E2 energy monitor post, so I asked him to write a guest post to discuss why he got involved in energy monitoring and why he chose to represent the Efergy units.

Lyn’s intro is a great read on the importance of real time power monitoring. With all of our posts on the TED 5000 and other monitors, I’d like to give space to the other options that are out there, and since I haven’t personally tried the Efergy unit, I’ll let a trusted source discuss them. I would like to hear if any other readers have tried the units and their thoughts.

Lyn was an electrician by trade. In the past few years he has been a certified PV grid tie systems designer and installer as well as a licensed alternate fuels technician related to power plants for automatic standby power systems. For the past 9 years he has operated his own business installing a variety of power systems both on and off the grid. (more…)

Energy Saving Quiz Time!

Chris — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:01:48 +0000

OK Mapawatt Blog readers, I’m asking for your help. We’re working on a quiz to put up on the Mapawatt Facebook page and I’m having a little difficulty coming up with engaging questions. There are two issues I have:

I want good questions, not stuff like “How much CO2 is your TV responsible for?” or “What is vampire energy?”. We need questions that will cause people to think and take action, not just skim over.
I want questions that are applicable to people in a wide range of climates. You see, because so much of our energy consumption is based on where we live (not to mention what makes up our energy sources) I would like to find questions that apply to everyone, no matter where they live or how they get their energy.

So, it sounds simple, but when it comes down to it, it takes a little thought. But hey, if millions of people will play Farmville on Facebook, surely they will take the time to do an energy quiz. Right?

Here’s what I’m thinking about so far (sorry, I’m not giving out answers yet):

What is your monthly electricity bill measured in?
What temperature should your water heater be set at?
Regarding total energy (including electricity, heating, transportation, industrial, etc.) what original source provides the most? (coal, petroleum, nuclear, solar/wind turbine, natural gas)
True or False: Compared to an incandescent, a CFL will pay for itself in a few months?

So that’s what I have so far (I do have a few surprises up my sleeve). Please leave your quiz question ideas in the comments! You’ll see the answers (and the corresponding blog posts) in a few days on our Facebook page.

DIY Home Energy Monitoring System

Chris — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:32:15 +0000

All the talk of the “smart grid” is increasing consumer awareness on the importance of home energy monitoring.

There are 4 ways to monitor your homes electricity consumption:

The Old Fashioned “Read your meter” way
A “smart meter” installed by your utility
Buying a home energy monitor – see our complete list of home energy monitors.
Building your own home energy monitor! – for the true energy geeks!

(more…)

Clean Energy Store – Northern Tool & Equipment

Chris — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:30:32 +0000

A few days ago I was out and about and I had some time to kill so I stopped by a Northern Tool and Equipment store because I noticed on their website that they have a pretty good alternative and renewable energy section. Below are some of my observations and pictures taken at the store. Overall I was pretty impressed with their clean energy equipment products. I wonder why stores like Lowes and Home Depot don’t also offer products to produce your own clean energy? (more…)

Sustainability in Austin

Chris — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:44:36 +0000

Beautiful View on Lake Austin!

Two weeks ago my wife and I travelled to Austin, TX to hang out with her parents for a weekend. It was only a 2-day trip, but we were able to get a great feel for the city. Austin is consistently ranked near the top in the most sustainable U.S. cities, so I knew it would be a good place to seek out sustainability. In any case, it had to be better than my sustainability experience in Las Vegas.

Aside from eating the 3 foods you must eat while in Austin (BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Chicken Fried Steak), checking out the bar scene and live music on 6th street, watching the sun sink over Lake Travis at The Oasis, driving through the campus at University of Texas, and checking out the beers on tap at Draught House, here are my sustainable observations: (more…)

How do I Buy and Install a New EV Charger?

pmapawatt — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:00:29 +0000

Leviton Evr-Green Products

So you’ve heard all of the buzz about the new Electric Vehicles coming from auto manufacturers and you’re ready to take the plunge? Before placing your order for the Volt or Leaf, there is some prep work you need to do. Buying a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) requires doing research on how you plan to charge your new vehicle. As we covered in our post about preparing for the arrival of the electric car, you’re not going to find fast charging stations at every street corner yet. You’ll need to follow a few steps to get your home ready to take delivery of those shiny new wheels! (more…)

Renewable Energy Handbook

Chris — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:11:41 +0000

When I saw the Renewable Energy Handbook by William Kemp for sale in the OpenSky store I was a bit skeptical of its value. This is due entirely to my experience with a “free” book called Green Millionaire which has the sole purpose of taking people’s money by offering the most basic of “green” tips (you pay shipping and handling for the “free” book and then they hit your credit card up with huge fees for their newsletter). But after receiving a copy of the Renewable Energy Handbook I’m happy to say it provides extremely valuable information for those interested in off-grid living and residential renewable energy.

The book is written for those who have already mastered energy conservation steps (insulate, turn off lights, program thermostat, etc.) and are ready to start producing clean energy on their own. This isn’t meant to be a resource for renewable energy experts, but a guide for those interested in taking the next step and investing in a system that will produce clean energy. I think the most helpful part of the book are the pictures, case studies and diagrams that show how the pieces of a clean energy system come together. (more…)