Energy Saving News

Wait until you have a full load before switching on dishwashers or washing machines.
When boiling water in kettles or in a saucepans use the minimum amount of water required - that way you'll save energy as well as water. Or use an eco kettle

By fitting a water saving device like a hippo or a save-a-flush it will reduce the water used to flush toilets. If you are replacing a toilet you could even look for a low flush or dual flush models which save even more water.

During spells of cold weather you could lag water pipes and external taps to prevent bursts.

An average roof collects about 85,000 litres of rain each year which then just runs straight into the sewers. This could fill 450 water butts with free water. You could water your garden, your houseplants, or wash your car for free! So buy investing in a water butt thousands of water can be saved.

A rain water harvesting system may be appropriate if you have a larger home, or an office building. They store much more than a single water butt and the filtered water that is captured can be used in the home - for example to flush toilets - as well as in the garden.

Do not use a hose, but use a watering can instead. If you need to use a hosepipe then a trigger nozzle can be fitted to control the flow so minimal water is lost.

Turn off that light switch, television on standby or that sneaky game console or phone charger, or printer which is constantly using electricity when it is not in use.

A solar-powered charger for your mobile or iPod can be used with no need for any electricity at all.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your hands or washing the dishes. This can save up to 6 litres of water per minute.

Fix dripping taps. A dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water a day, or almost 5,500 litres per year. Replace worn washers for a quick and cheap way of saving water.

Monitor the amount of time you spend in a shower by using a shower timer, and challenge yourself to reduce that time each time you shower. One extra minute in the shower uses around 9 litres of water and in addition to saving water you would also reduce energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint.

Wash vegetables and fruit in a bowl rather than under a running tap. The water collected can even be used for watering pot plants around the house.

Wash your car using a bucket and sponge, then rinsing with a watering can. Or use the Hozelock car shower. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will use more water than the average family uses in a day.

Capture the first few litres while you wait for the water to run cold instead of just letting it run down the drain.

Turning down your central heating thermostat by one degree can save 10% off your heating bill.
Eco-friendly bulbs will not use nearly as much electricity as a normal light bulb does and are nearly just as bright as a normal one.

Labels: energy saving, environmentally friendly, water

MotoFlow FAQ

With the massive increases in petrol prices, a lot of people are asking us questions about our fuel saver MotoFlow, so we have compiled some answers to your frequently asked questions.

Will my manufacturers warranty be affected by fitting a MotoFlow?
Without changes or modifications being made to the manufactured parts there should not be any affect on the warranty. It is only allowing the engine to release more of the potential energy from the fuel.

Could the electronic controls be affected by the MotoFlow?
No. Full fitting instructions are supplied, and as long as the Motoflow is not in close proximity to magnetically susceptible sensors when fitted (e.g. magnetic relays or solenoids) there will have no affect on the electronic circuits.

Will there be an affect on the servicing / maintenance schedule?
No. Although it is found that there are much cleaner conditions in combustion areas, without the large accumulations of carbon deposits which restrict efficiency. But after fitting a Motoflow, we recommend that the manufacturers servicing schedule is maintained.

How is it a filter when there are no changes or modifications that need to be made?
Self-fastening nylon strips are attached to all Ecoflow products which are secured to the outside of the fuel pipe. The fuel is conditioned due to a strong magnetic field which passes through the wall of the pipe and then into the fuel. Braided steel is the only exception to the pipe wall and must be avoided, apart from this material all common pipe material is acceptable to the magnetic field.

If I fit an Ecoflow will I be able to use unleaded fuel, as my car is not converted to run on unleaded fuel?
No. An approved additive should be used or better still hardened valve seats should be fitted to run the car on unleaded fuel.

Will I notice an improvement more quickly if I have a new vehicle?
No. In fact quite the opposite. Improvement will be more difficult to measure with new machinery, as it is running at it's maximum efficiency. But benefits will become more apparent as the machinery has had some use.

Why should I fit a MotoFlow when I have a catalytic converter?
1) Because the flow of gases and the engine performance are reduced due to the catalytic converter. 2) When an engine is cold and producing maximum emissions a catalytic converter has no effect. 3) Catalytic converters have a limited life and are expensive to replace. 4) A catalytic converter will have a longer life if the emissions are reduced through better combustion.

How will I measure the benefits?
Saving the environmental is beyond financial consideration, although customers claim their savings range between 5-20%. Your savings will depend on the condition of your engine, the environment it is working in and how you use the extra energy produced. You can measure your fuel consumption but you must have accurate records and weather conditions, temperatures and operating conditions should be taken into occount. Measurements of exhaust emissions will also indicate changes in the combustion process.

Can it cause any damage if more heat or energy is generated?
The operating temperature is controlled by a thermostat which is fitted to the engine. A further benefit is improved heat transfer as carbon deposits produced by combustion are reduced.

Will I notice the benefits immediately?
In most cases no, as a period of 'saturation' has to occur before the benefits are apparent; this is why a 90 day full money back guarantee is provided. As a guide this could take around 1,000 miles for a petrol engine, 3,000 for a large diesel engine, and several weeks for heating equipment. This time may be substantially reduced on older engines with heavy carbon deposits.

Ecoflow fuel conditioners are guaranteed against faulty parts and workmanship for a period of 10 years from date of purchase. The magnetic properties are guaranteed for life.

Labels: environmentally friendly, fuel saver, motoflow, unleaded

EcoStapler
You need never run out of staples again!
This is a really simple yet innovative product to replace conventional metal paper clips. It clips together up to three pages by cutting and folding back the paper in one action - more than three pages will cause a jam.

Another benefit is that you don't need to remove any staples when recycling too.

This is a really simple and effective gadget perfect for the office and home.

According to Wasteonline “If everyone in UK offices saved one staple a day that would be 72 tonnes of metal saved a year”. Buy one of these staplers and do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint.

The EcoStapler is available for sale in the EnergyScrooge shop.

Labels: ecostapler business leisure

Rainwater Harvesting
Harvesting rainwater has been popular for garden use by using water butts and is now gaining popularity for mains use.

In January 1996, an American couple installed a rainwater catchment system in their home in Portland. Two years later they received approval from the city to use this water for all household use, even as drinking water.

The results have been cleaner than city water. They self-test the water twice a year, after the water is purified with two microbial filters and an ultraviolet light sterilizer.

The couple were the first people in Portland to receive a permit like this to harvest rainwater for household use. The installation cost less than $1,500 altogether, and their twelve hundred square foot roof captures on average 27,000 gallons of water per year. During the rainy seasons, they use practically no mains water.

The senior plumbing inspector for the city, explains that harvesting systems for gardens are quite common and require no permit, but local authority approval is required to be used inside the house as a replacement for mains water. He believes that more households will begin developing rainwater harvesting systems with growing concern about water quality and future availability.

The Erssons have created a web site to inspire other people install similar systems.

Labels: water purification harvesting

Gunson 77040 Lamp a hit with Narrow Boats
Narrow Boaters benefit from LED lighting
The ever popular Gunson 77040 LED Rechargeable Lamp has become a bit of a hit with the Narrow Boat fraternity. Customers have reported the swivel hook and magnetic back are really useful where space is tight – hence the favourable reports from Narrow Boaters.
The sheer efficiency of the LEDs means a full 3 hour charge gets you 3 hours of full brightness to use when your chugging down the canal.
So, if you own a Narrow Boat with a Gunson 77040 let us know your experience.

Labels: gunson 77040 led lamp, narrow boat

Technologies and Strategies for Energy Efficiency Lighting
Improving lighting efficiency in the home

Until a few years ago, typical lighting in domestic settings comprised a central pendant. For rooms such as the lounge or dining room, there might be a couple of wall lights, and the switch plate may be replaced with a dimmer. The total lighting load might typically be 200W, so to make the lighting more energy-efficient, the bulbs were replaced with lower wattage ones, thus reducing the power consumption but also the light level!

These days, many rooms of a similar size have upwards of a dozen 50W downlights installed, resulting in a total of 600W or more lighting load. Our lighting demands are clearly increasing, but at the same time, we are also being encouraged to be more energy efficient.

The parts of the current and impending building regulations and guidelines that most concern people, are those that cover energy efficiency. These include efficient heating and cooling systems, building insulation against heat loss or heat gain, and having a percentage of the lights as energy efficient. Since most of these energy-efficient lamps are not able to be dimmed however, and are unsuitable for sometimes complex lighting schemes, they tend to be used in places such as utility rooms, loft conversions, spare/guest bedrooms, toilets and cloakrooms.

A large proportion of building owners, both home and business, would be prepared to embrace new technology if they could see a return on their investment sooner. Their main concern is the cost of systems such as LED or compact fluorescent lighting, but rather than focussing on what they perceive as the drawbacks, they should be looking to new technology as being able to provide effective solutions to a range of problems.

Improving efficiency
In short, energy-efficient lighting means getting as much light output from as little energy as possible. One of the best ways of making lighting more efficient is to have the lights on only when they are needed, especially in areas such as bathrooms, hallways, utility rooms and kitchens. Do you remember your parents telling you that a light switch has two functions? Well, if you cannot rely on your home's occupants to switch the lights off when not needed, how about installing presence/movement detectors to control the lights? You need never have lights left on again, unnecessarily for hours.

When a room has multiple uses, for example a lounge that is used as a TV room, reception room or playroom, there will be different lighting requirements, depending on its current use. It may seem obvious, but energy can be saved by only switching on the lights that are required, and possibly at reduced levels if appropriate.

Task lighting in the kitchen.
When using a lighting system to highlight something decorative such as a painting, sculpture, vase or flower arrangement, traditionally a huge, usually brass, fitting would be installed to contain the bulb and reflect the light in the desired direction. The heat and ultra-violet produced by the light would not only be wasteful, but could be extremely detrimental to the item being highlighted. Today however, there are many alternatives, ranging from halogen lights where the heat exits through the reflector and away from the item, to 'cool lights' such as LEDs and some gas discharge lamps. Many of these newer lighting solutions have a very small visual footprint, so you see the item being highlighted and not the lighting system. These newer lighting systems also have the advantages of not damaging the artwork with heat and UV; having more natural colouring with light that has the same frequency as daylight; and the colour being able to be tailored to enhance the item being lit.

Architectural lighting
Using architectural lighting, rooms have the colour, feel and even the perceived texture of the walls changed to suit the use, time of day, or season. This can now be achieved using LED technology, especially the multicolour and colour-changing systems.

Unlike older systems inherited from the stage industry, that use a mechanical system to move different coloured filters in front of the lamp and therefore offer a limited set of colours, contemporary multicolour and colour-changing LED system lamps usually contain elements that individually produce the three primary colours, and an element that produces white light. Via the control system, the full spectrum of colours can be produced by combining various combinations of the primary colours at different intensities.

With the newer LED projection technologies, buildings can be lit from a smaller footprint, hence discreet lamp housings can be used that can be disguised or hidden from view, and out of reach of potential tampering. Such systems are on a par with, and often more energy-efficient than, the older sodium/mercury floodlights. Their lamp life tends to be longer, and they are far more controllable rather than simply flooding everything with sodium yellow!

Another technology that could have an impact on residential interior designs is the electro-luminescent panel. This has been used for a number of years to provide small, thin lighting panels for applications such as signage in passenger aircraft, and is also now being used in the theatrical and stage worlds, where panels of uniform colour are required. For domestic purposes, the entire ceiling of a room could consist of a number of such panels, not only to light the ceiling surface in an interesting way, but to light the whole room. In other words, the entire ceiling, or a wall, becomes the light for the room.

Dimming
Remember those old dimmer plates with a large knob that, along with the plate, got warm, if not hot, and hummed when on? Well those are traditional dimming systems for incandescent lamps that are based on the principle of inserting a variable resistor in series with the lamp.

Unfortunately dimming with fluorescent lamps is not so straightforward. In order to operate, fluorescent lamps basically rely on a current that passes through a gas in the tube. The gas is excited by the current, and light is emitted. If the voltage is reduced below a certain level, the current flow will stop and the light extinguishes. Ballasts (control gear) for dimmable fluorescent lamps require a low-voltage connection in addition to the 230V mains supply. This low voltage is used to control the light output level of the fluorescent lamps, so without such an additional low voltage source, the compact fluorescent lamps that are designed to be a direct physical replacement of incandescent lamps, are not dimmable.

Dimming some of the newer LED technologies can also be complicated as the majority have proprietary controllers and different interfaces. Most LED dimming is achieved using pulse width modulation (PWM). Basically, this involves flashing the LEDs very quickly and varying the duty cycle to achieve the desired light level. LED lighting systems usually have a driver unit that is powered from 230V. This provides the low voltage for the LED elements and may have one of a number of control options which are usually manufacturer-specific, such as contact closure to cycle through the colours or brightness or step to next colour.

Systems designed for architectural lighting have embraced the DMX control system that allows control to be performed within the lamp's assembly using long runs of light-gauge cable that carry control signals and not power. DMX is an RS485-based serial communication protocol that is most commonly used to control stage lighting. The DMX control lamps are supplied with 230V, and via the communications protocol, you can 'tell' the lamp how bright, what colour, etc, you want it to be.

Automation
At the push of a button, automation allows the homeowner to choose the ideal lighting scene for each room or zone in terms of light source, intensity and duration. Automated lighting can be used so that areas nearer windows that enjoy sunlight, will have the lights automatically dimmed to a low level, whereas areas furthest from the windows will have the lights at a higher level, thus achieving the same overall light level, regardless of the position within the space. Automation can also be used to simulate occupancy in a more realistic and therefore energy-saving way, than simply leaving a number of lights on all the time.

Summary
Whether we like it or not, energy efficiency is on the agenda. In the short term, we can choose to conform to the minimum regulatory requirements, or we can go further, and embrace technologies that greatly reduce our consumption over the longer term. The benefits of intelligent lighting control of both new and traditional technologies can result in immediate energy savings as well as other advantages such as prolonged lamp life and increased comfort.

We can manually save energy by only lighting when and where we need to, and we can use automated lighting, for further efficiencies. Indeed lighting control is only one part of the home automation concept. Automation can be used to control all of the home's electrical devices, and can result in significant energy savings. Household appliances, such as washing machines and tumble dryers for example, need only be switched on when the electricity tariff is at its lowest. Depending on weather conditions, shutters or fans can be controlled and the temperature in each room can be adjusted individually, automatically.

And the good news is that automation is no longer just in the realm of high-end homes. There are many affordable systems now available, with some even extending into the DIY market.

www.usd.uk.com

Labels: domestic lighting

LEDs replacing Halogen light bulbs
A UK firm is set to unveil light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that it claims are the first replacement for halogen light bulbs.

Safio Energy, which has provided lighting to some high profile houses, said that its new LEDs produced the same amount of light as the halogen bulbs they replace, though with a 90% energy saving.

Among the famous places the company has lit up are the Big Brother house, Oxford Street's Armani store and the GMTV studios.

Safio director David Mackay told the icWales news site: "Our trials in restaurants in Cardiff have shown remarkable results. One installation of 150 LED halogen replacements at the Happy Gathering restaurant in the city is producing an estimated £7,500 saving in electricity costs a year."

He said that the firms technological breakthrough was to build an LED GU10 bulb which used three watts of power but had the same output as a 50-watt GU10 halogen bulb.

Labels: led halogen bulbs