Energy Consumption

[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.