| Line 83: | Line 83: | ||
|} | |} | ||
#<small>Annual costs: Listed cost only includes annual product fees. All systems incur small electricity costs which are negligible compared to savings.</small> | |||
# | # <small>2</small> | ||
# | # <small>3</small> | ||
== Benefits == | == Benefits == | ||
Revision as of 23:54, 6 February 2010
Introduction
A method to reduce energy consumption in residential and commercial settings is simply through effective monitoring. As a Green/IT Energy Conservation Measure, the scope of this monitoring is limited to electricity. Similar systems can be used to monitor and reduce gas and water consumption.
Analysis of Monitoring Systems
| Company | Product Name | Nation | Presentation Method(s) | Presentation Score | Installation Type1 | Installation Cost2 | Product Cost | Annual Cost3 | Total Cost | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MJ Innovations | PowerWatch | Canada | Computer via wireless | 4 | Electrician | $100/hour | $199 | $0 | $299 | 4 |
| Crossbow | EcoWizard | Japan | Computer via wireless | 4 | Electrician | $100/hour | $199 | $299 | $0 | 3 |
| MJ Innovations | PowerWatch | Canada | Computer via wireless | 4 | Electrician | $100/hour | $199 | $299 | $0 | 4 |
| MJ Innovations | PowerWatch | Canada | Computer via wireless | 4 | Electrician | $100/hour | $199 | $299 | $0 | 4 |
| MJ Innovations | PowerWatch | Canada | Computer via wireless | 4 | Electrician | $100/hour | $199 | $299 | $0 | 4 |
- Annual costs: Listed cost only includes annual product fees. All systems incur small electricity costs which are negligible compared to savings.
- 2
- 3
Benefits
Limitations
Energy monitoring empowers consumers. The only physical change is the installation of a system that displays energy usage; savings and the effectiveness of this ECM are based entirely on the willingness of consumers.
Energy monitoring manifests itself through different feedback methods. Direct Feedback through table-top units, computers and devices using programs like Google PowerMeter have shown the highest savings potentials. Other feedback methods such as inadvertent and indirect produce reduced savings (insert reference electricsave).
Energy monitoring is also not as effective in situations where users pay fixed utilities rates in a building. In this case, the only benefit to conservation is sustaining the environment, as there is no financial incentive. Thus savings will only come from well informed individuals.
Conservation Methods
Energy Monitoring simply makes the utilities consumer more aware of their usage. This causes a behaviorally change which leads to the implementation of Energy Conservation Measures. The simplest methods to reducing energy usage are to reduce wattage of appliances or the time they are on.
Energy Conservation Measures:
Mech425 GreenIT Project ESCO