Power Reduction &
Renewable Energy
Project notes, experiments, and developments.
Reduce – It’s the 1st R for a reason
Reducing Power & Water Usage
Energy is one of the prime contributors to greenhouse gasses. Whether it’s methane to heat homes, fossil fuel power plants, or burning gas engines in cars, lawnmowers, and recreational vehicles, this is one area where large-scale personal action can have significant effects.
With water scarcity becoming an increased concern as well, it’s just as important to reduce overuse of this precious resource. Additionally, water treatment plants contributes to power usage and greenhouse gasses. That makes this an important metric as well.
Utility Use Reduction (Coming Soon)
Electricity
%
Monthly YoY
%
YTD YoY
Gasoline
%
Month vs Benchmark
%
MoM
Specific Appliances
%
Combined Monthly Change (kWh)
Benchmarks:
Electricity: 43.70 kWh
Water: 360 L
Last month:
Electricity: 37.40 kWh (-14.4%)
Water: 310 L (-13.9%)
Benchmarks:
Electricity: 25.88 kWh
Water: 2,320 L
Last month:
Electricity: 25.50 kWh (-1.5%)
Water: 2,290 L (-1.3%)
Benchmarks:
Electricity: 213.03 kWh
Last month:
Electricity: 232.40 kWh (+9.1 %)
Methane
%
Monthly YoY
%
YTD YoY
Water
%
Monthly YoY
%
YTD YoY
Note: Positive values (ie 6%) indicate increased use. Negative values (ie -6%) indicate decreased use.
Updated: April 2022
Automation, sensors, savings.
Smart Homes save power & time.
My kids are always leaving lights on, but built-in motion sensors can automate & turn them off when they aren’t needed. Smart thermostats learn your living patterns, turning down the heat & air conditioning when it isn’t needed. Smart plugs can regulate grow lights, or extend your phone’s battery life by ensuring the charge stays between 20-80% until shortly before you get up in the morning.
While smart homes may seem like a nice convenience, they can work with you to reduce power use, increase plant growth, and free up your time.
Generate your own power.
Renewable power, you can feel it.
The heat of the sun on your face.
The chill of the wind on your back.
This is a source of renewable power, begging to offset some (or all) of your power use. You don’t need giant panels and turbines to make a difference.