Photo courtesy of Fit Pregnancy-June-July 2009 and Maternity Designer, Liz Lange.

I love consignment shops.  Some of my best consignment purchases have been for special occasions.  Think about it.  How many times do you wear the same dress to an event?  When I saw an article in a local magazine about InStyleBelly, an online consignment shop for the chic  swelling belly set, I remember how much I spent on my own maternity wardrobe over a decade ago.

Let’s face it.   You only wear prego clothes for a certain amount of time and then you need to move onto the next size to fit that swelling bump.  When you are pregnant,   you have to buy work clothes, play clothes, and perhaps a nice dress or two.  When all said and done, you have laid out some pretty hard earned money.  Worse yet,   your next pregnancy occurs in a different time of the year,  and you may need additional clothes.

Krista Karo, the president of this online Consignment Company, knows first hand that just because you are pregnant you don’t need to sacrifice style or cash. With one child at home and another on the way, she too has experience the high sticker shock of maternity clothes. Check out the clothes in the above picture.  Are any of those dowdy?

What I love about buying at consignment shops is you are lowering your footprint by buying what exists.  Just think.  Every time you buy a new garment, energy is expended and natural resources are depleted.  In the case of pregnancy clothes, buying used is a slam dunk since you wear these clothes for such a short time.

But why buy from this Company?   Karo accepts only high end or designer labeled garments from all over the country.  They must be in great condition, current (no more than 2-3 years old or vintage)  no piling,and minimally worn. With great names like Michael Kors, Nicole Miller, Juicy Couture, and other designer labels, who wouldn’t want to look their best for a fraction of the price?  Plus, the website has a handy size chart so you can fit into those Joe’s Jeans with no problem.  I bet you never thought you could look this good in maternity clothes?

The website is updated daily and if a item does not sell within 90 days, it is shipped back to the consignor. (See here about the consignment policies.)

Want to look like a pregnant soap opera star?  At InStyleBelly, you can.  Allison Sweeny’s pregnancy clothes are being donated to benefit Autism Speaks, an organization that sponsors autism research and awareness. Karo would love to accept other celebrity mom’s clothes for good causes.  So,  Heidi Klum, send Karo your clothes on behalf of a special charity!

Love clothes?  Read Karo’s blog as she dishes about maternity wear.  Honestly, she make me want to be pregnant again. (Not happening.  Oven is closed.)

Head over to InstyleBelly and explore the 3 Gs! Great clothes.  Save some green.  Good for Mother Earth.

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Photo from Department of Energy.

I bet you just got used to hearing about double pane, Low-E glass,  Argon filled windows.  You know the ones.  The ones labeled as ENERGY STAR?   Now, there is a new babe in town getting a lot of attention from  the Department of Energy.   The R-5 window has all the right curves and significant energy savings compared to its distant cousin, the ENERGY STAR window.  Yep,  this R-5  is energy efficient beauty with triple panes of  either high solar-gain, Low-E Glass, Argon/Krpton Gas or high solar-gain, Low-E Glass, Argon/Krpton Gas, depending on your area of the country.  According to the DOE,

“Common ENERGY STAR windows only have an R-value of 3. Increasing the R-value from 3 to 5 reduces average heat loss through the windows by 40% and saves consumer money on energy bills.”

But why  are the R-5 windows the darlings of the DOE?

“Windows in the U.S. account for 30% loss of building heating and cooling energy, representing an annual impact of 4.1 quadrillion Btu (quads) of primary energy. Windows have an even larger impact on peak energy demand and on occupant comfort.”

So are these babes for everyone?  They are best suited for cold and mixed climate areas. So, why isn’t everyone jumping on the R-5 bandwagon?  Cost versus energy efficiency.  That energy type rope.  (Isn’t that always the problem?)

Well, never fear; the DOE is working on developing a  volume purchase program so that they are affordable.   How affordable? A price premium of $4/ft² compared to today’s typical ENERGY STAR windows. For more information about marginal costs versus savings for highly insulated windows in different climates, see here.

At present, the agency has just released its newest draft specifications for the windows and awaiting comments.   (The U-factor for fixed windows: less than or equal to .20 and operable windows with a U-factor of less than or equal to .22. Note, U-factor is the measurement of heat loss through a window.) The comment period ends November 13, 2009. The Agency anticipates affordable windows will be available July, 2010.

What make the R-5 windows so special?  According to the Efficient Window Collaborative,

“Triple-Glazed** with High-Solar-Gain Low-E Glass, Argon/Krypton Gas

This figure illustrates the performance of a window with a very low heat loss rate (low U-factor). In this case there are three glazing layers and two Low-E coatings, 1/2″ argon gas or 1/4″ krypton gas fill between glazings, and low-conductance edge spacers. The middle glazing layer can be glass or plastic film. Some windows use four glazing layers (two glass layers and two suspended plastic films). With this window, both Low-E coatings are spectrally selective in order to minimize solar heat gain. This window is best suited for climates with both significant heating and cooling loads.

Triple-Glazed** with Low-Solar-Gain Low-E* Glass, Argon/Krypton Gas
This figure illustrates the performance of a window with a very low heat loss rate (low U-factor). In this case there are three glazing layers and two Low-E coatings, 1/2″ argon gas or 1/4″ krypton gas fill between glazings, and low-conductance edge spacers. The middle glazing layer can be glass or plastic film. Some windows use four glazing layers (two glass layers and two suspended plastic films). Both Low-E coatings in this product have high visible light transmittance. The use of three layers, however, reduces the beneficial solar heat gain. This product is suited for buildings located in very cold climates, although Double-Glazed with High Solar Gain Low-E should be considered if passive solar heat gain is desired.”

For more detailed  information about different glazing area of windows, see here.

If you are like me, you probably still have questions.  The Alliance to Save Energy hosted a webinar for  its members or interested parties about  window energy efficiency.  Information about R-5 windows was presented.  In addition, underneath the webinar video is a list of questions that were asked regarding window films, vacuum-filled glazing,  triple glazing/R-5 windows, and other topics.  I found the questions and answers fascinating and provided me with a more in depth understanding of window energy efficiency.

So, readers, what are your thought about the new  IT kid on the block, the R-5 window?  Is its premium cost worth the energy savings?    Let me know your thoughts.

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Imagine what the sound of one thousand alarm clocks was like when they simultaneously rang at 8:30 in the morning as a “wake up” call to the attendees of the last international climate meeting before the major climate change summit in Copenhagen in December? The wake up call was organized by the TckTckTck campaign which represents over 200 development, humanitarian and environmental organizations.  Hundreds of Barcelona residents and conference observers provided the “wake-up” call.

TckTckTck Campaign Director Ben Margolis stated, “[w]e stand here today united to tell our leaders that time is running out to agree a fair, ambitious and binding climate deal.”  According to Tck Tck Tck Campaign press release, progress to date to thrash out the critical elements of an international agreement to fight climate change have been beset by unacceptable delay.

Margolis further stated, “Governments must commit to reducing emissions by 40 per cent from 1990 levels – making the deal ambitious enough to prevent catastrophic climate change.”  There should be clear consequences for those who fail to comply.

Let’s hope our international leaders heed the “wake up” call.  Show our leaders that we are ready for a climate change deal by adding  your name to the list of global citizens.

Photos by permission by Elrealizador. (Clocks) and (Banner)

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Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

This week my email box was jammed with press releases as well as interesting reads.  I have no idea what is in the air but it seemed as if the green chatter was so much louder this week.  Kind of like the amount of ladybugs I have clinging to my windows screaming ”let me in…”  Did anyone else feel that way?

So let’s kick off this week’s green speed link week with Newsweek.

The Dark Side of Green.  Gaming the global-warming fight. via Newsweek.  Interesting article about how  governmental subsidies are hurting more then helping to  reduce the cost of renewable energy.  The author sums up his argument as follows:

“But of the 10 most cost-effective and measurable ways for the world to cut emissions, for example, subsidies for renewables don’t even make it onto the list. Much more effective is putting a price on emissions, or finding other ways to mandate reductions and letting the market decide which technologies are the best. Here’s hoping governments take the point soon.”

Where do dust bunnies come from?  Finally an Answer via Environmental Leader. So, you thought it was safe to ignore those dust bunnies in the corner?   Think again.  They may contain lead, arsenic or other chemicals.  Remember, I am constantly telling you to take off your shoes before you come into the house.  Don’t make me say I told you so.

Passivhaus: The Top 5 Barriers to Growth In The US via The Green Economy Post:

According to the Article, “[t]he Passivhaus movement is an exciting building design concept that offers tremendous energy savings due to reliance on passive heating systems. Europe is embracing the concept with between ten and fifteen thousand houses already built and governmental support of mandating the standard.” So, why hasn’t this concept caught on here?

Geothermal Energy Gets Big Boost from Government via The Green Economy Post:  It is about time that the government see the light of day with regards to geothermal technology. Solar is not the only bad boy around. Many of my loyal readers know that I am a geothermal aficionado having one in my house as well.  (See here and here.)  According to the article,

“Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary has announced up to $338 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of new geothermal fields as well as for research into advanced geothermal technologies.”

Check out which projects are getting the money.

USGBC FOREST CERTIFICATION BENCHMARKS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR ALL BUILDING MATERIALS via Dovetail Partners Inc.

According to the report, in September, 2009, the USGBC Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group released the second draft of a Forest Certification Benchmark.  The authors of this report feel that the second draft needs substantial revisions.  They further state,

“We believe they bring further complication to a process that was already too much so, lack sufficient clarity to allow consistent auditing, and are not likely to provide an incentive for more responsible forest management. These are problems that we believe must be addressed. But despite these problems we do see a significant opportunity for the USGBC – an opportunity to address an obvious and longstanding need for a certification standard for all materials used in building construction. The current draft, as we outline herein,provides an excellent starting point for this more substantial green building improvement.”

Don’t you think it is time for a universal green standard?

Where have all the Bluefin Tuna gone? According to a Greenpeace PR release I received,

“This scientific evidence clearly indicates that northern Bluefin tuna are severely depleted and a ban on international trade is not only justified, but critically needed to stop the Bluefin tuna’s downward spiral towards extinction,” said Phil Kline, a senior oceans campaigner with Greenpeace and former commercial fisherman. “Not only does the fate of this magnificent species hang in the balance but so does the future of our commercial and recreational fisheries.”

For more information about the Bluefin Tuna, see here. The WWF encourages restaurants, chefs, retailors, and consumers to stop buying, serving, or eating the endangered Bluefin tuna until it shows signs of recovery.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announced its Growing Green Awards 2010.  Nominations are due December 4, 2009.

“Through this national award, NRDC will recognize extraordinary contributions that advance ecologically integrated farming practices, climate stewardship, water stewardship, farmland preservation, and social responsibility from farm to fork.

A Growing Green Award will be given to an outstanding individual in each of four categories, including Food Producer, Business Leader, Thought Leader, and Water Steward. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded in the Food Producer category and all winners will be widely celebrated through outreach to media and NRDC’s networks.”

Nominate yourself or someone who deserves this award.

Urgent Warning about Gardsill via The Health and Science Institute.  This is not the first time I have reported about issues surrounding Gardsill.  Now, it appears according to the HSI that the FDA has approved  the administration of Gardsill to boys ages 9 to 26 to prevent genital warts.

The HSI further states:

“Never mind that the FDA has received more than 15,000 adverse event reports for Gardasil use among girls. Those reports include more than 1,000 severe reactions and 27 confirmed deaths.”

You would have thought the FDA would learn from their prior mistakes.  Now, they want to administer to our boys. Big Pharma at its best.

And the last one for the week…..

350 Reasons why Carbon Trading Will not Work, an online video project of Rising Tide North America, Carbon Trade Watch, the Camp for Climate Action, the Mobilization for Climate Justice West.  According to the press release,

“Domestic and international climate policy arenas are failing to protect people and planet by opting for carbon trading schemes proposed by major industrial polluters. Instead of taking scientific, tangible and democratic measures to reduce industrial sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and many of the wealthiest countries in the world are instead choosing to mitigate impacts to corporate profits and carbon-intensive industrial growth through the marketing and offsetting of emissions.”

Very powerful.  So, is cap and trade just pay to play?

Readers, have any green news to share? What’s your thoughts about any of the above articles?

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Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukinitaly/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Solar Hot water Evacuated tube collectors  seem to be the rage at the International Builder’s Show last winter.  I don’t know why,  but those gleaming dark tubes just caught my eye.  The more I learned about them, the more I liked the whole concept.  Putting a solar hot water flat panel collector on my roof just did not appeal to me.  I had my share of roof leaking/ water issues and just did want to go there again.  (Whether this actually happens with panels does not matter. Fear is a powerful motivator.)  Evacuated tubes on the other hand can be installed vertical or horizontal like a fence as well at an angle similar to the solar hot water panels. I like flexibility.

In addition, every vendor I spoke to touted that these tube were so much more efficient than its cousin, the flat panel collector.  Are they more expensive than the panels? Yes.  But, I was assured I would make up the difference in no time.  My eyes grew wider and wider every time a different vendor spoken about these tubes.  At the end of the show,   I  penciled in my Anna’s green wish list,  ”I want an evacuated tube collector.”  Promise me efficiency, good payback, and you have won my heart.

Until…

Martin Holladay  of GreenBuildingAdvisor.com  thumped me on the head and told me to wake up.  In his article, “Solar Hot Water  Heating Water with the Sun Isn’t Cheap,”  he discusses the argument that evacuated tubes are better than flat panels. He states,

“Evacuated-tube fans like to point out that flat-plate collectors experience more heat loss at cold ambient temperatures than evacuated-tube collectors. (True enough — if the snow ever slides off the evacuated tubes). Moreover, evacuated-tube collectors perform better during cloudy weather, and begin collecting heat earlier in the day, than flat-plate collectors.

Remember, though, that you’re not going to be collecting much useful energy on cloudy days or very cold days anyway. As explained by the author of a technical bulletin from EnerWorks, a Canadian manufacturer of solar equipment, ‘On overcast days the evacuated-tube collector will perform better than a flat-plate collector. Of course, if there’s not much sun to begin with, doubling your efficiency is not a big advantage. The question is, do you want a collector that will perform better when there is plenty of sun to be captured, or one that will perform better when there is not much sun to start with?’”

I could just hear him say, “Anna, you have to stop falling for all those marketing claims.”  The tubes were pretty and why wouldn’t a green girl want to add a little green bling to her house?  I put solar hot panels on the back burner since Holladay explained the payback was bleak for a cold area like mine even with the federal tax credit.  But, despite the article,  the evacuated tube versus panel argument still danced in my head.

As many of my loyal readers know, I attend many green exhibits and meet a variety of green vendors.   At a recent Go Green Building Expo in New Jersey, I met Frank Proske, president of  Sun Solar Spot, a distributor of both evacuated tubes and flat panel collectors.  At the beginning of our conversation, I explained that I had heard different arguments of which system was better.  He quickly pointed to both systems he had on displayed and said that he sold both and could give me an objective point of view. He explained that for colder climates, evacuated tubes were the best; whereas in warmer climates, flat panel collectors are better. Okay, this explanation was a nice and tidy for me to comprehend.  To listen to the entire short podcast, click the link above.  His company distributes SUNDA evacuated tube collectors as well as flat panel collectors.

After eying several different solar hot water collectors at the Builder Show, I kept scratching my head and thinking how do you know which one is right for you?  I posed this question to Proske and he  advised me to begin my research at the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) website, which  provides  independent certification of Solar Water and Swimming Pool Heating Collectors and Systems.  The website contains a list of those companies who are participating, rating summary of SRCC Certified Collectors, and SRCC Certified Systems.  In both the rating summaries, you can compare each of the different collectors or systems. For an explanation about the performance data obtained, see here.

If you want to obtain a list of system and annual energy savings for your area, click here.  In the location box, scroll down and find your area, and then click, “Show Selections.”  I naturally clicked on the higher numbers, and noticed some were for residences that have existing gas or electric water heaters. Some mentioned positive leak protection, while others did not.  Other are open loop systems, other are not.  My eyes started to blur over with each of the different descriptions of the various systems.  Thank goodness for  Home and Power’s excellent article in which the author explained the various components of   the solar hot water systems.

As I was reviewing the numbers, I kept in the back of my mind the following stated by the  SRCC :

“The collector with the higher number in the box which reflects your climate and category produces more energy than those with lower numbers. While such a comparison should not be the only basis for your choice of a solar energy system, you may find it helpful. Remember, too, that the energy output of these collectors in the directory has been measured under test conditions, which are almost certainly not the same as the collector will be subjected to in your home. The remainder of the system and the quality of the installation are also critically important factors in how well your solar system works, and how much energy and money you save.”

When I looked at the calculations of the different systems for my area , I couldn’t help myself from jumping to the highest annual savings.  However, this may not be the best practice when comparing it to cost.  According to the SRCC,

“One method is to compare the energy output for each dollar spent on dif­ferent collectors. Or, in other words, how many Btu (or MJ) does a dollar buy if spent on Collector #1 versus Collector #2? This question can be answered by dividing the energy output by the cost of the collector. For example, you are consid­ering a solar water heating application. Collector #1 has a rating in Category C (for water heating) under the cor­rect climate column of 29 MJ (per collector per day) or 21,000 Btu (per collector panel per day). Collector #1 sells for $387. Collector #2 is rated at 35 MJ or 33,000 Btu; it sells for $675. Thus:

Collector #1  29 MJ/$387=0.07 MJ/$  or 27,500 BTU/$387=71BTU/$

or

Collector #2   35 MJ/$675=0.05MJ/$   or 33,000 BTU/$675=49/BTU/$

or

Collector #1 is the better buy, based on performance under the test conditions alone. The higher the number of MJs or Btu per dollar, the more cost-effective the collector is…all other things being equal. Remember, though, that the design and quality of the rest of the system and the installation are also criti­cal to a good solar energy system.”

When I asked Proske how much a typical solar hot water system would cost installed, he replied it would cost between $8000 and $9000 to install a system  for a family of 4 with an 80 gallon water tank.  He did not specify if that price was for flat panel or evacuated tube collectors although during the conversation, he told me that tubes cost about 20-30% more.  To inquire if your state provides solar hot water rebates, see here.

For the DIYer, see the following site for information on how to build your own solar hot water system:

Build it Solar  Solar Water Heating

Build your own solar thermal panel

Readers, if you have installed a solar hot water system,

• which system did you use? (Companies who install, please do not comment.  See your questions below.)
• what kind of rebates did you receive?
• what did you determine was your payback?

For solar hot water companies

• evacuated tubes versus flat panels?
• geothermal systems that also heat  hot water versus solar hot water?
• why your system is better than the other ones out there? (Differentiate cold versus warm weather climates.)

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For some dumb reason I own two swing sets.   Long story,  but  to sum up the reason…  an impulse buy.   Here is the short condensed version.  I bought two adorable recycled horse tire swings about fifteen years.  Way before I was a certified treehugger.  So, don’t go thinking I bought them simply because they were recycled.  They were adorable and in those days, if I thought my kids (ages 3 and 2 at the time) would love it, I would buy it.  If Toys R Us had a gold level buyer, that would be me.    Consumption at its best.

After I bought my adorable tire swings, I realized I had nowhere to hang them.  I did want to remove the bucket swings from my swing set.  So, in my illogical mind, I bought another small swing set which had three more swings!  Over the years, the extra swing set came in  handy as my family grew from two kids to four kids.  My orginal swing set only had 2 bucket swings.

As time went on and my kids traded their swing for soccer balls and baseball bats, the swing sets stopped being used.  I wasn’t complaining. The two swing sets  had a good run of at least a decade or so.

When we moved, I decided instead of hauling the little swing set to a new home, I would sell it.  So, I listed in on Craig’s list, and no one bit.  Not even a counter-offer.  Zilch.  I even offered it for free it to  nursery schools.  No one wanted it.  Most people wanted a slide which this little swing set did not have.

Even my new buyers of my house did not want.  So, I had it taken apart and put back together at my new  house, thinking perhaps someone would want it one day.  Fast forward five years.  The little swingset stands lonely with no one to play on it.   (In fact the large set isn’t too happy either.)  So, how do you re-use an old swing set? I wasn’t dismantling it and throwing it in a landfill.

I have to admit all my best ideas usually come to me in the shower, except how to reuse my swing set.  I can’t even take credit for it. One day, I was meeting with my landscaper and he eyed my swingset with the wavy yellow slide.  “The slide would make a great water feature,” he explained.   A lightening bolt came down and struck me in the head.  I was planning on growing grapes anyways and needed an arbor for its vines.  I researched and priced out my options and failed miserably to find a reasonable cost alternative.

Since I am very into how to reuse “stuff,” these days,  using my swing set as my grape arbor would be perfect! How cool would that be?  Can’t you just see it?  Grapes floating across and hanging through the rails that my kids use to climb across?

So, where is my swing set now? Right at the front of my garden with a grape plant on either side.  And  you can’t believe who is climbing the swing set’s’ side rails now.  My youngest who is 11.  If my swing set could smile, it would.  I am even considering hanging flower baskets from where the swings used to hang.

One thing I noticed is that I will probably have to put some wire in between the rungs.  The rungs seem a little too spaced apart for the grapes to climb right now.  But heck,  you don’t have to plant grapes to reuse your swing set.  You can plant clementis, wisteria, climbing roses, or any other type of climbing plant.

Now, I am eying the other swing set  for kiwis and maybe figure out how to put in that water feature….

So readers,

• What ideas do you have to reuse your swing set?
• What would you plant near your swing set?
• Have you reused your swing set?
• Give us the skinny on anything else you reused?
• how about re-using those old swings?

By the way, check out a bunch of my posts of how to reuse common every day items.  My favorite has to be reusing your credit cards …or maybe your pantyhose.  Or wait, reusing your own broken screens.

Share yours or send me a picture with a short story so  I can post it!

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TerraCycle is one of my favorite companies.   Their motto is someone else’s trash is someone else’s pocketbook, or bag or flower pot or binder OR whatever, this entreprenuerial groups of lads and lasses can dream up…They collect yogurt cups, FritoLay’s potato chips bags, Nabisco wrappers, and assorted other items that we ordinarily just flip into the garbage.  (I think the count if up to 18 items they collect.  Whew!  You need roller skates to keep up with them…)

What do they do with all that “garbage?”  Upcycle it into different products.   PLUS,  the Company pays schools and other nonprofit and religious organization two cents per item.  Nice little incentive.

What is one of the newest and greatest additions to the collection bridgades?  TerraCycle has partnered with 3M to take back tape dispensers and cores, so 3M can reused them to sell new tape dispensers.  Why does this thrill me?  According to the Company, there are millions of tape dispensers and cores that end up in landfills every year.  If you use tape like a feen, you know what I mean.

Secondly, in my circle, there has been some discord over upcycling  products that can not be recycled themselves,  Most specifically, anything orginally made of plastic. (Why should products be made out of plastic in the first place?  See my article, “Are Recycled Plastic Bottle Products Really Eco-Friendly?”) Now, 3M has taken a bold step to actually take back their product and reuse it in the same form.  It is about time.  (Did you hear this Avery, who by the way,  still won’t return my phone calls about a take back program with regards to  their plastic vinyl binders, which countless are thrown out every year… )

Although the tape dispensers are made of plastic and so is tape,  I am glad 3M with the help of TerraCycle is taking back their products and reducing their consumption of natural resources.  Want to jump onto the Terracycle bridgade to start collecting? I thought you would.    So, would I except, there are no longer any more open spots!  3M only alloted 1000 spots to this brigade.  It was so popular that I snoozed and lost the opportunity to get my own school into the program.   (By the way, we are collecting yogurt cups and Nabisco wrappers.)  So, 3M open up more spots!

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Brendan Gill of Plentyways contributed the following post to Green Talk  about the benefit of Energy Monitors to reduce your energy consumption.  I asked him to write about this topic since I, myself, grapple at which monitors to use.

The idea behind energy monitors is that you measure and graph the total amount of electricity that your home is using.  The problem today is that utility bills are too far removed from the actual appliances using electricity.  When we receive a bill for $200, we don’t know how much of that is down to the washing machine or the kettle, or what strategies would most effectively reduce our energy usage.  However, with an energy monitor we can view in realtime how much electricity we are using and learn about the energy use of individual appliances also.

With this knowledge it makes it a lot easier to start to reduce your energy usage.  Using an energy monitor you will notice huge peaks when you run the dishwasher, for example, so you will quickly realize that it is a good idea to minimize its use and decide not to run when it is half empty. Indeed a recent study from the  University of Oxford found that the mere presence of an energy monitor had the effect of reducing people’s energy usage by 5-15% on average simply because people became more aware of the amount of energy they were using.  In short: using an energy monitor will save you money and help the environment.

So, what options are available?

Energy Monitor Devices

The most common energy monitor devices are physical units that work by placing some kind of clip around the main electricity line as it feeds into your home energy meter.  Don’t worry, it’s not an electrical connection it simply cradles the wire and measures the magnetic field.  However, it is a good idea to read the instructions thoroughly and use an electrician if you have any doubts.  The device can then tell how much electricity is being used in your home at any time.  Most good energy monitors will come with a wireless, handheld device which you can place anywhere in your home and it will display key stats such as current electricity usage, average for the day and average for the week etc.  Usually you can enter the amount you page for each unit of electricity (find this on a recent utility bill) and it will calculate how much your current energy use is costing you.  Many will come with software so that you can create graphs and investigate the data in more detail.  Examples of these are Onzo and TED.  They can cost around $200 but you are likely to recoup this money through reduced electricity bills within a few months.

Plug Load Monitors

These are similar energy monitoring devices but the difference is that they will just monitor the electricity used by a single electrical output as opposed to your whole house.  They will sit in between a plug and a socket and display the current amount of electricity being drawn through that socket.  The advantage of these is that you can get a direct, accurate reading of individual appliances.  Using a whole home energy monitor to measure an individual appliance can be tricky unless the appliance creates a very distinct peak when you switch it on, so individual appliance monitors are useful.  They start at around $25 (e.g. Kill A Watt) so can also be a much cheaper route.)

Smart Meters and Energy Dashboards

Part of the reason that energy companies don’t offer you a detailed breakdown of your energy usage is because they actually have difficulty accessing that data.  However, there is currently a trend to what is known as the ‘smart grid’ where energy companies have the ability to track in real time the energy being fed into your home.  This enables them to provide customers with a dashboard that displays detailed real time energy usage data, usually via a website.  The result is similar to the home energy monitors we talked about above except that in order to use them the consumer doesn’t have to install any devices as the data collection is all handled by the smart grid.  Although few electricity providers are set up to provide this service at present there is a definite trend towards this.

Example of data generated from the Google PowerMeter software.

Google PowerMeter

Google have recently got into this game with its new PowerMeter software.  It is partnering with energy companies to provide an energy dashboard for consumers.  If the energy company can move to the ‘smart grid’, Google will provide the software that allows you to view your real time energy usage data and even access this from your mobile phone.  At the moment it is only available with these select energy companies, but look out for PowerMeter in the future.  Knowing Google, there will be some very special features.  If you can’t wait, then  you can get a Google PowerMeter if you purchase the TED 5000 energy monitoring device, which integrates with Google’s software.

Readers, I have really enjoyed reading Plentyways’ blog and encourage you to visit it.  If it wasn’t for Brendan, I would never have learned about the GooglePower Meter.  Also, while you are visiting the blog, pop over to see what they are selling on their  e-green-commerce site.  There are “Plenty ways” to be green!
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