Comments for WattHackers | Save Power | Go Solar | Live Green

Comment on Installing Dusk to Dawn Photocell in Exterior Lighting to Save Power by sblackb

sblackb — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:09:19 +0000

You can use either wire in either order. Just connect one to the hot wire coming from the electrical box, then the other to the power wire on the light. As for the two different switches, not really sure what you're asking, but it sounds like you are dealing with a 3-way switch. Not sure if you are trying to bypass the photo cell or if it's not working on the second switch.

Comment on Installing Dusk to Dawn Photocell in Exterior Lighting to Save Power by GBSTC

GBSTC — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:32:35 +0000

I am trying to install a Hampton Bay Photocell # 594-135 but am having trouble with the directions because they say to take the "longer" black wire to the black power supply wire and the shorter black wire of the photocell to the black wire from the light fixture. One would think this is an easy instruction but both black wires from the photocell ARE THE SAME EXACT LENGTH. That's the confusing part. Which goes where? On the black photocell itself there is a diagram showing one wire going to "lamp load" and the other wire going to "120V AC". Can anyone please help me distinguish which goes where? Which do I interpret as the short black and which as the long black?
I'd hate to misconnect the wiring and burn up the photocell before I see if it works or not. The other question I have involves the fact that I have two – each with a photocell to turn on at dusk and off at dawn and each has a switch that controls both lights, one in the front entry and one in the garage. How do I set those switches so that both operate the light fixtures the way they are supposed to. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Comment on So you want to harness the power of a solar panel by sandeen

sandeen — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:31:25 +0000

Is there a reason that you want to go the charge controller + battery route, vs. a grid-tied inverter, and let the utility be your "battery" for now?

Comment on Is your Refrigerator Hiding 10 Pounds of Greenhouse Gas? by sandeen

sandeen — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:27:54 +0000

Awesome, I've been meaning to do this. Incandescent builbs in a refrigerator are a double whammy. Why run a heater in your fridge?

Comment on Cost of Installing Solar – When Installing Solar Makes Sense by sandeen

sandeen — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:26:59 +0000

As for the emergency preparedness aspect, be aware that most systems are "grid tied" and will produce exactly zero watts if the grid goes down. (This is for line worker safety reasons, primarily, but also because production and consumption needs to be matched when you're off-grid) If you want something that will keep your house humming when the grid goes away, you'll need to invest a bit more in batteries, charge controllers, and the like.

Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Sharif

Sharif — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:54:14 +0000

Is there any device that can control the useage of a house?

Comment on Understanding the True Cost of Installing Solar Panels by Marietta Remodeling

Marietta Remodeling — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:47:59 +0000

I'm a contractor in Marietta Ga, and have been considering looking into becoming an installer of these systems. We do all the related trades, including roofing, electrical and plumbing. Our homes typically only use 1/3 the normal energy, in fact we've been told that one of our homes is the biggest energy star compliant in Ga, at 12,000 finished square feet. I believe this forum has finalized my decision to look into it at full speed ahead and just say thanks for all the great dialogue going on here!

Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Leo

Leo — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:56:33 +0000

Thanks for the information, sblackb.

Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Solar pv London

Solar pv London — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:03:47 +0000

Some fantastic ideas here, I especially like the Home Joule.

Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Ethan E. Litmanowicz

Ethan E. Litmanowicz — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:58:20 +0000

great post! I surely have learned a lot from reading this.

Anyway, by personal account, I really like the TED. It's simple to use and brings great results. However, when I read about the KILL – A – WATT, I changed my mind. It's definitely cheaper. However, I still need to look behind that low price, almost always there is a reason for the cheapness. But that doesnt necessarily apply to all items.

But if you really want to save on power, try cutting up your monthly bill by using solar power or something. Or maybe instead of watching TV or playing PC GAMES, you could head out the park and play basketball or do something else instead.

Thank you for this post! Cheers!