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What is the energy difference for a computer that is left on all day versus one that is turned off and on 3-4 times a day?C omputers and monitors vary a lot in their energy use. A good average for computers is about 65 watts, and 100 watts for monitors. If you turn both off you will save 165 watts, or about 1.5 cents an hour (up to 2 cents an hour with a larger machine).
Most computers of recent vintage have a "sleep" mode which will automatically reduce the power consumption when it's not used for a few minutes. Turning it off completely will save only a fraction of a cent an hour compared to the cost of leaving it in "sleep" mode.
In the refrigerator, is it best to store items close to each other or to have air space between items?
To cool items that have just been put in the refrigerator it is best to leave space around them so the cold air can circulate and cool them faster. In theory, they will stay cold longer if they are close together, reducing the chance of warm air circulating around the packages when the door is opened. Practically, it's better to leave some space around each item in a refrigerator where the items typically don't stay very long. In a freezer where they tend to stay longer, it might be better to store them close together.
I currently have a "dial" thermostat. Would switching to an electronic thermostat be more energy efficient and save me money on my electric bills?
Electronic thermostats could save money depending on how they are set. There is a trade off between comfort and economy. If you want comfort, set the "dead band" to a narrow range. The dead band is the difference between the temperature at which the thermostat tells the air conditioner to come on and shut off.
The narrow dead band maintains a more even temperature, but it requires the air conditioner to turn on and off more frequently, reducing its efficiency. A wider dead band allows the air conditioner to run for longer periods of time, increasing its efficiency, but the wider temperature range may not be as comfortable.
We recently purchased a home and would like to know which item will keep our home cooler and reduce our bill - solar screens or tinted windows?
It depends on which screen and which tint you are comparing. The critical factor is how effective they are. The effectiveness is measured by either the Shading Coefficient (SC) or the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). In both cases the lower the number, the less heat is allowed to transfer through the window. Generally speaking, shade screens have a SC of about 0.35 and most tints have a SC of between 0.5 and 0.75. So, in general, shade screens are better than most tints, but there are exceptions. Check the SC or SHGC to be sure.
One caution: The better job it does at keeping the heat (and light) out, the darker the window. At some point the window gets so dark you can't see out. It is best to check out each product before installing it. The exception may be Low E window films as they are designed to keep the heat out while letting more light through.
Would there be a problem if I turned my hot water heater off in the summer? The water is warm enough without having to heat it. There would be no problem if you were to turn your water heater off in the summer, many people do. However, it may not save a lot of energy. The heating elements are thermostatically controlled, so they would not run much anyway. There will be some degradation in water temperature. Instead of 120 degree water you will have 70-100 degrees depending on the time of year and the ground temperature at your particular location.
Alternatively, you could lower the thermostat setting to 100 degrees, or "low" if that's the way your thermostat is calibrated. By doing this, it will maintain a minimum water temperature and still not run much.
We seem to need to change our air conditioner filters once a week, even though we do not use the cheaper brands. What could be causing this problem?
Dirt is what accumulates in the filter. Homes with pets, smokers, children and any lifestyle that brings dirt into the home, and/or allows it to remain in the home, will require changing filters more often. Also, better filters do a better job of filtering. They trap more dirt and so they are more likely to need to be changed more often.
What is a load controller?
Load controllers are devices that automatically control your energy use and may be appropriate for those on the Combined Advantage plan who desire an automated approach to energy management.
For information on load controllers, contact the Energy Management Council at (602) 266-7283.
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