EnergyConsumption Projects

(Actively-changing projects are linked to the main page)

Active

• Yahoo Answers
• Solar Powered Garden Lighting

Tried and true (document -> ec.org)

• put things on power strips you can easily turn off
• put a lamp cord switch into the cord for a pesky appliance (e.g. boombox; batteries may preserve settings)
• install a mechanical timer on your bathroom fan so you don't leave it running
• use Radio Shack X-10 controllers to turn (e.g. networking) equipment on only when you need it

On the cusp

• Go Go Laundry (Soren's local laundromat)

Perhaps promising

• install a time of day thermostat on your water heater
• In warmer months, Soren discovered his pilot light provided enough heat for a daily shower
• With 60 degree ambient temperatures, Soren has started experimenting more
• It takes four minutes to bring the tank to "lukewarm" just before a shower
• It takes 16 minutes to bring it up to the same point just after a shower
• ~24 hours of pilot light after "lukewarm," the water was noticeably warmer
• somehow attach a mechanical timer to a periodic use item like a microwave
• build a power strip with a built-in mechanical timer for charging
• low-power Solar-Powered PC
• Cooler Meter
• Simple Solar Oven / Fast Solar Cooker (pnorth says she'll buy one)
• Solar Bike Light Charger
• Vampire Replacement
• Wheel Generator (http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html#FAQ mentions 5% diode loss in rectification AC->DC)

Inspiring

• DIY Solar projects
• DIY Watt Meter
• Prime Mover, Pedal-Powered TV, on pedaling through a power outage.
• Solar Powered Capacitor Storage Automatic Outdoor Lighting
• building up a solar system
• Micro Solar Energy System: Under Cabinet LED Light
• windmill out of old microwaves

from MakeZine

• Wind Powered Generator
• okay, I swear there was a perfect windmill from junk (workshop?) on makerfaire.com, but when I clicked, another picture loaded and I can'd find it

Sources of The Classics

• RMI's Home Energy Briefs
• PG&E's Energy-Saving Resources

For a former day

• StepItUp07 plan

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