The laser printer only uses 3 watts but I rarely use this also, so simply switching the power button turns it off completely so that it isn't drawing any current. Now, if I need to print something I simply have to flip the power switch first. Also there was an issue with the printer warming up after a reboot. When starting up, the printer draws about 980 watts for a brief period of time. Now, it no longer does this.

Moving on, there are two lights in the kitchen area that are on a timer to light up at 7pm and run until around 10pm when they shut-off automatically. Both of these lights have non-standard bulbs so they are currently using incandescent or halogen bulbs which are not energy efficient. One uses 37watts and the other uses 47watts. These lights don't have to be turned on and can be turned off or replaced with more efficient bulbs.

Next on the list is the computer. The computer draws approximately 155-235watts when running. When the three 19” LCDs monitors are running it is usually 235watts and when they are off it is approximately 155watts. The computer typically stays on 24/7. During the night, it often doesn't need to be on and can be shut off.

Shutting off the computer at night in addition to the devices around it such as telephones, cable modem and other devices will save approximately 175watts. This is even after the monitors are turned off. This alone adds up to approximately 42KWH or $5 a month in savings.

If you need to keep your router or cable modem on, many outlets now have an always on plug that will stay on even after you flip the switch on the surge protector.

Shutting down and turning off your computer are not the same thing! After you shut down your computer using the MS Windows shutdown, it is still drawing power even though no fans are running. If you look inside the case you may often see lights. These lights use power. In my case, my computer was using 12 watts even after shutdown! I reduced this another couple watts by unplugging the optional front light which was too bright anyways. To turn it off completely, flip the switch on the back of the computer or use the surge protector power switch.

The use of the power strip is recommended for simplicity. Simply do a shutdown on your computer, then, flip the power switch on your surge protector to shut everything down. You can also plug power strips into each other and just use one to turn all of them off.

I took an additional step and went outside to the address label on my house. The address has a light underneath it that uses two 3watt bulbs. This light runs 24/7. There is no light sensor in it. I pulled out the bulbs and this will save $6 a year in electricity.

Must houses have street lighting already so this isn't a big deal. Also if you don't order out for pizza or chinese delivery very often this shouldn't be a big deal. These 24/7 lights are a total waste of our resources. Lights running outside during the daytime isn't going to benefit anyone. 

Having all night  running lights outside isn't very energy  efficient either. A better solution is to use a light sensor device such as a flood light that only comes on when something moves within range. This saves much more energy. Recently I noticed that Walmart is using motion sensors in it's freezer section. When nobody is around the lights are off inside the freezer/refrigeration section. As the customer starts to walk down the aisle, the lights come on. This saves money.

Here is how I figured out the costs and savings:

First get out your electric bill:

Add up all of the numbers that have KWH written next to them. There are  a total of 4 numbers. This is the cost per KWH. The total comes to roughly 12cents (.11606). KWH is 1000watts that run for one hour.

Next I put in  the information into a spreadsheet. I used OpenOffice Calc.

So how much do I expect to save after the changes? 

For me, the savings expected is about $8.73 a month. However, I have already taken other measures such as installing compact fluorescent lights throughout the house so my savings have already started happening. Even the lights inside my refrigerator have been replaced with CF bulbs.

This is a very conservative change that doesn't require much effort. In this example, the computer is only turned off for 8hrs at night. If it is turned off another 8hrs so that the computer is only on for 8 hrs a day it would save over $4.32 or more a month. Also this example is only done for one person; add other rooms and other people and your savings may be greater. Also realize that this savings is perpetual with increasing savings as utility rates rise. This $8.73 monthly savings is $104 a year or $312 after 3yrs.

If you haven't switched out your standard incandescent bulbs to CF, you should. The cost for CF bulbs is now low enough to make them affordable and the payoff is almost immediate now.

An example, if six 60watt bulbs are running in your home or apartment for 5 hours every night this adds up to 54KWH. Replace these with CF bulbs and it uses only 11.7KWH. This saves you $4.79 a month immediately. Check with your local utility company to see if they offer rebates for purchasing CF bulbs and where to buy them.

Here in Las Vegas, Nevada Power frequently offers instant rebates on CF purchases at Costco. A pack of eight 13watt (equivalent to a 60watt standard bulb) cost only around $3.50. If not, you can typically find them for $2 or less per bulb on sale.

Compact Fluorescent bulbs aren't the most efficient lighting that is available. LED's are commonly used in small bulb applications such as flashlights. Small LED bulbs use much less energy than even CF bulbs. However, most of the applications are limited to small bulbs and small spotlights. LED's can't offer the same level of brightness as compared to standard or CF bulbs. I recently emailed a LED lighting company looking LED's with an equivalent lumens rating to a CF bulb. Here is what I received back:

"There are no traditional shape (A19) LED bulbs that can match the output of a 60 watt incandescent.  At this time, the best applications for LEDs are floodlights and spotlights.  Other types of bulbs are either very large or not very bright compared to standard bulbs.  The technology is improving very fast though, and we expect to see LED bulbs that are good replacements for 40-60 watt standard bulbs by the end of the year."
 

LED bulbs are also expensive. A large LED bulb that produces 540 lumens cost $67 and uses 9 watts. Right now the LED light technology is said to be where CF was 20yrs ago when you consider the maturity level of the technology, distribution and market share. CF makes better sense right  as it is readily available and is cost effective.

Time to start saving now! You can't find Kill-a-watt at most major retail stores yet but you can find it online at Amazon and other sites.

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