Energy Consumption

[Mark]

Since I am sitting at a Focus on Energy summit, I would like to pose this question to the group:

Has anyone measured (in any way, including a comparison of electric bill) energy savings experienced through replacing equipment with Energy Star equipment, virtualization, or centrally configuring power settings?

I am interested to hear about measurable impact of these.

[Jeff Golas]

The outlet strips I have in my racks measure current load, but I haven't done any actual math regarding replacing of stuff yet.

[insurebaltimore]

I'm not a Global Warming Alarmist.... so no.  But low power consumption equals less heat output.  That, I have measured.

Dell servers using the tree hugger power supplies do, in fact, put out less heat.

[Mark]

I'm not a Global Warming Alarmist.... so no.  But low power consumption equals less heat output.  That, I have measured.

Dell servers using the tree hugger power supplies do, in fact, put out less heat.

I'm looking at it from more of a financial/cost point of view than a melting the icebergs point of view   

[Gene Foraker]

I have a Kill a Watt energy meter at home.   Great for measuring and calculating energy usage.   It calculates the cost to run things averaged over time.

Look for it on Amazon.com

[Hans Manhave]

Years ago I went through a CFL roll-out at home.  I have remained with that, but have no idea what I saved.  I did not notice a reduction in my electric bill.  I am happy with CFL bulbs, because they are cooler (temperature) in this hot climate, and I can get a lot more bright light per wattage.

I replaced our home refrigerator last year.  A 22 year old non-broken Fridgedaire, I think, for a modern side by side two door, Energy Star compliant, Samsung.  I don't believe I noticed a change in electric bill, but the contents of my fridge stay healthier much longer.

I have one of those Kill-A-Watt gadgets.  It hasn't helped me to safe anything. (wrote that while Gene was writing, still a cool gadget).  I have a ScanGaugeII in my vehicle.  Love statistics.

I turn off all the a/c units in this building every evening when I leave instead of letting them run at 82 or something.  I did not notice a reduction in the bill.

I can only conclude that the price of electric goes up and having those energy "saving" things helps my bill not go up so fast as it otherwise would.  Only replacing when things need replacing.  I have also concluded that higher energy efficient items are a lot more expensive and therefore do not "save" any actual dollars.  Instead, the funds go to the purchase of the item not to the monthly energy bill.  It is often easier to pay the monthly bill.  I conclude that also from seeing how many people are leasing instead of buying.

[insurebaltimore]

I'm looking at it from more of a financial/cost point of view than a melting the icebergs point of view   

Our utilities are tied into the lease, so I do my best to use as much power as possible at all times. 

[Mark]

I can only conclude that the price of electric goes up and having those energy "saving" things helps my bill not go up so fast as it otherwise would.  Only replacing when things need replacing.  I have also concluded that higher energy efficient items are a lot more expensive and therefore do not "save" any actual dollars.  Instead, the funds go to the purchase of the item not to the monthly energy bill.  It is often easier to pay the monthly bill.  I conclude that also from seeing how many people are leasing instead of buying.

They stated that the cost to upgrade to an 80+ Efficient power supply is $3-$5 additional cost, but can save around $153 over the course of 3 years.  I do know where you're coming from though.  Also, I missed the calculation for that as I wasn't paying enough attention to type fast enough.

[Jeff Golas]

I have a Kill a Watt energy meter at home.   Great for measuring and calculating energy usage.   It calculates the cost to run things averaged over time.

Look for it on Amazon.com

Radio Shack has these on clearance - I think there's new ones coming out. I also use one to figure out how many arcade games I can turn on at once in my rented garage :-)

[DebAmstutz]

I'm going to hoard the regular light bulbs as I hate the CFL bulbs (no offense, Hans!).  Have you heard what you're supposed to do if you break one of those due to the mercury in them?  I'd just rather clean up glass and metal from a regular bulb, myself.  I think regular bulbs can be improved without the addition of mercury.

I do agree with Hans as to replacing items when they're worn out.  My refrigerator died two years ago (it was 32 years old) and I've been using a dorm fridge ever since, and that's saved a lot, I'm sure.  I will be getting a new, energy efficient refrigerator when the new house is done.  The other appliances are also energy efficient.  I want to see if my son would like the big ol' chest freezer so I can get a new small one.
The new house will be larger but with all the improvements energy-wise it should not cost more in electric or gas bills than the old house did...maybe a little less!

[Jim Jensen]

New house, Deb? Moving off the homestead or replacing the old house with a new one on the same lot?

[DebAmstutz]

Since the barn is no longer there (got rid of that 2-3 years ago) a house is going up in its place because what else would I do with a 50x70 piece of concrete (which was the barnyard) but turn it into a patio/parking lot behind a new house?  I got a once-in-a-lifetime deal from All American Homes, and finances are finally in place to pay for a venture like this.  It's a factory-built structure, and I really like the style of it.  It was set on the basement foundation a month ago, and now the breezeway and garage are getting done, and the septic system is getting started.  I hope it can be liveable by Labor Day.

[brinkerdana]

How cool, Deb!  I've been doing a lot of dreaming with certain pre-fab designers.  I lean towards the steel and glass stuff.  Now all I need to do is convince the hubby that we should bail out of California, buy a lot and put something factory built on it.

[Jim Jensen]

Deb, I guess since the kids moved out the obvious answer of "full court basketball court" no longer applies so strongly.

Dana - I have a client that passed away and they were selling their modular home in the woods near "scenic" parts of Indiana. It was the original type of modular - 10 sides, flooring system came in pie-shaped pre-fab pieces, then 10 wall sections to put up. Set on it a central pier with all of the utilities in it, then  piers around the perimeter at the connections between east section. Connected to another similar structure for the garage. Not sure if they ever sold it or not. We had it insured for several years.

[DebAmstutz]

Jim, I'm thinking that a basketball goal on one end or the other of the "patio" is in the future since I have three grandsons....

[stevenhart]

I recently did an analysis for a new client.  They had 12 servers averaging about 300 watts per server (3600 watts total).  We suggested consolidating all 12 into 2 servers with a SAN (1200 watts).  A kilowatt hour in the SF Bay Area is roughly 20 cents.  So 2.4 Kw (the 2400 watt savings from consolidation), times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 20 cents per Kwh, meant a yearly savings of $4200.

With a predicted lifespan of 5 years, that's a $21000 savings, which offset the cost of most of the new equipment.  In other words, the consolidation paid for itself.

We've done a similar analysis of workstations.  A typical workstation can use 150 watts (without monitors).  They're used usually from let's say 8am to 5pm every day.  If left on overnight, from 5pm to 8am, 15 hours of un-used time accrues.  So at .15 Kwh times 20 cents per hour, 365 days... That ends up about $260 a year burned because the computer is left on overnight.  Multiply that times the number of computers left on in the agency.  That said, computers can be remoted into after hours by staff, so certainly some should be left on.

Of course the higher the electric rate, the higher the ROI from consolidation and powering off.

[brinkerdana]

[
Dana - I have a client that passed away and they were selling their modular home in the woods near "scenic" parts of Indiana. It was the original type of modular - 10 sides, flooring system came in pie-shaped pre-fab pieces, then 10 wall sections to put up. Set on it a central pier with all of the utilities in it, then  piers around the perimeter at the connections between east section. Connected to another similar structure for the garage. Not sure if they ever sold it or not. We had it insured for several years.
[/quote]

The old geodesic domes!  I'm more of a minimalist/contemporary glass wall style girl.  http://marmolradzinerprefab.com/skyline.html  See the house on the bottom right of the page. 

[Andrew Carrick]

I am interested to hear about measurable impact of these.

We have introduced a "Corporate Social Responsibility" policy here whereby employees receive a financial bonus if we cut down on environmental expenses, paper, power etc. Only just started but most people are buying in to the idea. It's the little things like printing 2-sided, B&W instead of color, switch off the lights etc. We believe in reducing our environmental impact but we can't deny there's money to be saved as well.

[DebAmstutz]

First of all, I don't like the "Corporate Social Responsibility" notion.  I'd call it common sense...lol...you save us money, we'll give you more money to work here.

How do they determine which employees get a bonus?  Do they keep track of whose lights are off?  Do they know who is printing B&W on both sides of a sheet of paper?  If there is an overall decrease in power and/or paper costs, does everyone get a bonus so some can still leave lights on and/or print in color?  The bonus amount had better equal the savings and not be over that amount or they're not saving a thing!

[Andrew Carrick]

It's bigger than just the environment, it will include community involvement, charity support etc. We do it across each office location, so there is an element of peer pressure to keep costs down. From our point of view the management don't have to put the bonus scheme in place so we're grateful that they do.

[Hans Manhave]

Interesting how it is just fine to put one's money into gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex related, but society frowns upon us buying some more kilowatts, gasoline/petrol or a bigger piece of red meat.

[Andrew Carrick]

Interesting how it is just fine to put one's money into gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex related,

That's not in our Policy!! Perhaps it should be 

[insurebaltimore]

I'm more of a minimalist/contemporary glass wall style girl.  http://marmolradzinerprefab.com/skyline.html  See the house on the bottom right of the page. 

All the 3D renders on that site make me think they've never actually sold one of those things.  And considering they charge 500k+ for a 2 br home, I could certainly understand why.

[brinkerdana]

There's a local architect, no website, that I've been in touch with who does similar work for a lot less.  That was the only example I could find of the style I'm looking into. 

I want total minimal.  If I could put a drain in the middle of the place and hose it down, I'd be happy.  No knickknacks, no clutter, just clean pure lines.