I read a very articulate news item this morning about the power demands for our standby ‘tools’ and equipment. For along time, I have been carrying on about the green issue of leaving a computer turned on all the time. In terms of our pocketbooks, to leave a computer turned on has been estimated to be about the equivalent of leaving two light bulbs burning all night — not the new low usage bulbs, but the old ones. This doesn’t ruin the economy at our house. What does get my attention the consideration about having 2 million homes and/or offices leaving their computer on all night. The cost to each individual is so small as to be difficult to calculate. But the electricity demand on the power plants is affected by that demand.
The article I saw this morning, written by does some of the figuring of costs in terms of dollars and cents as well as the cost in terms of unnecessary energy use. Noah Buhayar, Fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute wrote Getting savvy about standby power calling the equipment Vampire tools which suck at your economy.
I am a fan of alternative energy use such as solar and wind. But, because there is no billing from the local co-op for wind or solar use each month, we need to remember there is a cost. The delivery equipment such as solar panels or windmills is expensive.
How much does a household need? If we want a power supply that will be equivalent of our present ‘no brainer’ grid use, the cost for the equipment is high enough to make one blink. Of course, we can make decisions about power use and change that need. With today’s thinking about what we need for services and creature comfort, those decisions must be carefully considered before jumping off the grid or the experience can be comparable to jumping off of a high cliff.
Who maintains the equipment? Yep, you and me! When a tree got into our power line and messed with a small part, we could call the power company and trained people were there In minutes to fix the issue. They safely removed a broken branch from the power area and gave a mulberry tree a haircut in the dark. Electrocution from a solar generator or a wind generator is still electrocution. Electrocution doesn’t have any consideration for the ignorant who may be swept into the romantic mission of producing their own power.
Please don’t misunderstand. I am very supportive of alternatives. I admit a preference passive alternatives such as window placement for solar gain. Solar tubes and homemade modifications can change the lighting in a dark area so dramatically and eliminate the demand for lights.
We have a TINY eastern basement window. Now that the grasses have gone down that were growing behind the water reservoir, I am amazed at the light in the basement. The first time I saw it, I thought Richard had gone to work leaving the garage door open to invite mice, copperheads and turtles to come in. All of this light gain is through a VERY dusty window. When I finish this missive, I’m going down there and clean that window, then bring the plants indoors before we get a nasty freeze tonight. The light they will enjoy is far from optimal for their growth, but it is good ‘resting’ light for them to have a chance of surviving to spend another summer in the yard or on the deck.
Please go over to read the article about our On Demand Equipment Power Use (Vampire equipment).
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/amorylovins/14/getting-savvy-about-standby-power.html
The writer says it so very well. Read and think about things that can be shut down. I like the idea of going around my office and shutting off the surge protector power strips. I do this when I leave the house, but have gotten presumptive about it when I am here.
Thank you for stopping by to read my post and rant. JudyAnn Lorenz 
