From: amirza@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (anmar mirza)
Subject: Re: Conservation (was Re: Green Coal (:-) (was Re: Victor ...)
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 14:23:41 GMT

In article <64753@apple.Apple.COM> ems@Apple.COM (Mike Smith) writes:

>I was the one who posted about CF bulbs and 'fridge replacement.
>Not Victor.  

Why does this sound like a familiar subject?   ;-)


In addition to Mike's comments, let me add my own.

First a bit of background.  Alternative energy systems is a serious
hobby for me.  One of the things I do is energy use surveys and
recommendations for energy reduction before designing a system (or for
people who just want to reduce their bills).

On average, for an electric home, with no initial outlay, I can
usually reduce a household's electric usage by 15%.  This is without
sacrificing *any* comfort, or making any lifestyle changes.  Next stage
involve spending some money.  For roughly 20% of the yearly electric
bill I can usually reduce electric usage by 25%.  This is a one time
outlay.  Again, without sacrificing any comfort.  The more one is
willing to spend, the more electricity they can save.  The breakover
point (point where cost of electricity saved is less than the outlay)
is usually at roughly 300% of a yearly bill.  This is because most
utilities don't charge on a linear scale.  This is also assuming no
incentives for off-peak usage.  If someone can take advantage of
off-peak usage, cost (though not usage) can also go down.

Typical reduction is 30% usage which corresponds to anywhere from
15-20% cost reduction.  Average outlay for that reduction is $100,
plus my fee (fee is the same for any scale).  The maximum I was able
to obtain was in my own case, but I am an extremist.  I achieved ~75%
yearly average reduction in usage which roughly cut my bills in half.
This is in southern Indiana where we have cold winters (though not
this one! (yes, I know our winters ain't nothing compared to more
northern climes, but they're killers compared to SoCal)) and hot and
very humid summers, so both heating and cooling are prime
considerations.  Last summer was the best, my monthly electric bill  
was $15 and my house was kept reasonably cool (never above 75F while 
I was there).  

This year I'm ready, my photovoltaic system is complete (well, I'd
like more, but it's complete enough to replace the utility), and I'm
just waiting for the next rate increase to send off my letter to the
electric company (you know, the letter that tells 'em to get their
stinkin' lines outta my yard).

Am I a fanatic?  Yes.  Am I obsessed?  Yes.  Am I an eco-nazi? No, I
just like being self sufficient and saving money.  But part of my
obsessiveness pays off in being able to spot the minor energy drains
in a household.  You know, the ones that add up to a major energy
drain.  This in turn gives me a wide range of options to offer a
client.


-- 
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