Comments for WattHackers | Save Power | Go Solar | Live Green http://www.watthackers.com/wp Watt Hackers is all things energy. How to produce it, how to reduce it. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:06:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Graphical Energy Montitors http://www.watthackers.com/wp/10-energy-saving-devices-to-put-your-house-on-a-diet/#comment-168 Graphical Energy Montitors Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:00:27 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=18#comment-168 [...] (more here) [...] [...] (more here) [...]

]]> Comment on Installing Dusk to Dawn Photocell in Exterior Lighting to Save Power by » More Options for Installing Dusk to Dawn Lighting Sensors - WattHackers | Save Power | Go Solar | Live Green http://www.watthackers.com/wp/installing-dusk-to-dawn-photocell-in-exterior-lighting-to-save-power/#comment-167 » More Options for Installing Dusk to Dawn Lighting Sensors - WattHackers | Save Power | Go Solar | Live Green Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:15:35 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=39#comment-167 [...] By sblackb • Dec 1st, 2008 • Category: Energy Savings When I wrote the article on installing a dusk to dawn photo cell to control exterior lighting, I had no idea that is would be such a popular project.  Not only from the feedback that I have [...] [...] By sblackb • Dec 1st, 2008 • Category: Energy Savings When I wrote the article on installing a dusk to dawn photo cell to control exterior lighting, I had no idea that is would be such a popular project.  Not only from the feedback that I have [...]

]]> Comment on Installing Dusk to Dawn Photocell in Exterior Lighting to Save Power by Don Armstrong http://www.watthackers.com/wp/installing-dusk-to-dawn-photocell-in-exterior-lighting-to-save-power/#comment-166 Don Armstrong Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:21:36 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=39#comment-166 Interesting reading here and on BobVila.com concerning the Hampton Bay SKU#594-135 photo cells. I had 2 old fixtures with photo cells that operated prefectly with a single pair of CFLs for 3 years. As part of a renovation, I installed new fixtures with Hampton Bay photo cells. The new fixtures killed thoses old CFLs in less than 1 week. Also killed 2 new CFLs, 1 dimmable CFL and 2 incandescent bulbs before I removed them from the fixtures. That's a lot of light bulbs over just 1 month of operation - now I just have CFLs on 24/7. So much for saving the Planet (and my $$). Yes, the cells were properly installed so that they were shaded and did not see the light from the fixture or any other nearby lights - they were aimed into open space. Does anybody know of any small/thin photo sensors available anywhere? Interesting reading here and on BobVila.com concerning the Hampton Bay SKU#594-135 photo cells. I had 2 old fixtures with photo cells that operated prefectly with a single pair of CFLs for 3 years. As part of a renovation, I installed new fixtures with Hampton Bay photo cells. The new fixtures killed thoses old CFLs in less than 1 week. Also killed 2 new CFLs, 1 dimmable CFL and 2 incandescent bulbs before I removed them from the fixtures.

That’s a lot of light bulbs over just 1 month of operation - now I just have CFLs on 24/7. So much for saving the Planet (and my $$).

Yes, the cells were properly installed so that they were shaded and did not see the light from the fixture or any other nearby lights - they were aimed into open space. Does anybody know of any small/thin photo sensors available anywhere?

]]> Comment on Understanding the True Cost of Installing Solar Panels in 2008 by Rob Mrozinski http://www.watthackers.com/wp/understanding-the-true-cost-of-installing-solar-panels-in-2008/#comment-160 Rob Mrozinski Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:23:42 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=24#comment-160 Hello- I live in Northern NJ and would like to make my house more energy efficient. I feel it is our duty and obligation to not be wasteful or pollute the environment. Where can I find tips on how to increase energy efficiency in my home. Specifically, a solar hot water heater? We have an oil burner to give us heat and hot water and I would love to rid myself of this system as oil is expensive and dirty, not to mention unsafe. On a side note, if anyone reading this knows of any jobs or careers in the "green" industry (helping achieve green engergy, ie solar panel instalations) I would love to change careers and do something meaningful for our country. Please email me at RobMrozinski@gmail.com with any suggestions or recommendations. Thanks! Hello-

I live in Northern NJ and would like to make my house more energy efficient. I feel it is our duty and obligation to not be wasteful or pollute the environment. Where can I find tips on how to increase energy efficiency in my home. Specifically, a solar hot water heater? We have an oil burner to give us heat and hot water and I would love to rid myself of this system as oil is expensive and dirty, not to mention unsafe. On a side note, if anyone reading this knows of any jobs or careers in the “green” industry (helping achieve green engergy, ie solar panel instalations) I would love to change careers and do something meaningful for our country. Please email me at RobMrozinski@gmail.com with any suggestions or recommendations.

Thanks!

]]> Comment on Passive Solar: How to save big when Installing Solar Panels. by Nils Davis http://www.watthackers.com/wp/passive-solar-how-to-save-big-when-installing-solar-panels/#comment-156 Nils Davis Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:51:00 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=47#comment-156 Scott - thanks for the reply - very informative. I'm a bit concerned about the monkey bar approach, as our attic has very small vertical space, but the plywood sheet approach seems like it would work, especially if you can just "fluff up" the insulation afterwards. Scott - thanks for the reply - very informative. I’m a bit concerned about the monkey bar approach, as our attic has very small vertical space, but the plywood sheet approach seems like it would work, especially if you can just “fluff up” the insulation afterwards.

]]> Comment on Passive Solar: How to save big when Installing Solar Panels. by sblackb http://www.watthackers.com/wp/passive-solar-how-to-save-big-when-installing-solar-panels/#comment-155 sblackb Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:43 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=47#comment-155 Nils, I spent a couple weeks in the attic getting all my wiring done, fixing ductwork, and wrapping metal collars around my non-ic recessed lights. I also replaced a lot of the recessed lights with IC air tite (insulation contact) type so I could improve the envelop of the house. Let's face it, why do all the insulation and other energy conserving improvements if you leave holes directly into the attic. But the sad reality is that I still ran out of time before the insulation appointment and I still have the cans left to replace. I recently bought a hood for the range that requires a 6 inch duct it into the attic and out the side of the house. This proved to be an interesting challenge with all the insulation, but I managed to locate two of the ceiling joists and wander down them to get to the spot I needed to work on. I brought a 20 x 48 x1/4" piece of plywood and laid that down on the insulation. That seemed to spread my weight out enough and let me work a bit cleaner. I wont say it's easy, but it's much nicer having the insulation. When you are done, just fluff up the area that's compressed and work your way back out. We had a roof leak (new roof) in one of the big monsoon storms and I needed to get to the far side of the attic to see where. I ended up swinging from the roof joists like I was on a set of monkey bars. I guess all that training as a kid finally paid off :-) I know that strategy wont work for everyone, but if you can swing it, it's quicker than trying to find a safe place to step. One last thought. Make sure you put a collar around the attic hatch if you have multiple attic access points. The guys that did our insulation blew right over the attic hatch and now I need to go clean that out before we can use it again. Nils,

I spent a couple weeks in the attic getting all my wiring done, fixing ductwork, and wrapping metal collars around my non-ic recessed lights. I also replaced a lot of the recessed lights with IC air tite (insulation contact) type so I could improve the envelop of the house. Let’s face it, why do all the insulation and other energy conserving improvements if you leave holes directly into the attic. But the sad reality is that I still ran out of time before the insulation appointment and I still have the cans left to replace.

I recently bought a hood for the range that requires a 6 inch duct it into the attic and out the side of the house. This proved to be an interesting challenge with all the insulation, but I managed to locate two of the ceiling joists and wander down them to get to the spot I needed to work on. I brought a 20 x 48 x1/4″ piece of plywood and laid that down on the insulation. That seemed to spread my weight out enough and let me work a bit cleaner. I wont say it’s easy, but it’s much nicer having the insulation. When you are done, just fluff up the area that’s compressed and work your way back out.

We had a roof leak (new roof) in one of the big monsoon storms and I needed to get to the far side of the attic to see where. I ended up swinging from the roof joists like I was on a set of monkey bars. I guess all that training as a kid finally paid off :-) I know that strategy wont work for everyone, but if you can swing it, it’s quicker than trying to find a safe place to step.

One last thought. Make sure you put a collar around the attic hatch if you have multiple attic access points. The guys that did our insulation blew right over the attic hatch and now I need to go clean that out before we can use it again.

]]> Comment on Passive Solar: How to save big when Installing Solar Panels. by Nils Davis http://www.watthackers.com/wp/passive-solar-how-to-save-big-when-installing-solar-panels/#comment-154 Nils Davis Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:36:23 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=47#comment-154 Scott - Another great article! I do have some questions for you: 1. How do you walk around in your attic now (i.e., to do more wiring)? I've been thinking of doing something like this, but I'm concerned about how attic access will work when there's 14" of insulation everywhere. 2. Did you have to do anything special to your recessed lights? We have something like 28 recessed lights in our ceiling (plus a lot of wiring running around up there) and I want to make sure it remains safe. Thanks, Nils Scott - Another great article! I do have some questions for you:
1. How do you walk around in your attic now (i.e., to do more wiring)? I’ve been thinking of doing something like this, but I’m concerned about how attic access will work when there’s 14″ of insulation everywhere.
2. Did you have to do anything special to your recessed lights? We have something like 28 recessed lights in our ceiling (plus a lot of wiring running around up there) and I want to make sure it remains safe.

Thanks,

Nils

]]> Comment on Understanding the True Cost of Installing Solar Panels in 2008 by Nils Davis http://www.watthackers.com/wp/understanding-the-true-cost-of-installing-solar-panels-in-2008/#comment-153 Nils Davis Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:30:46 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=24#comment-153 Scott - I love this very clear approach you've taken to discussing solar electricity for your house. It still seems a bit too expensive for the general public, though. What price point do you think solar PV needs to reach to have a tipping point? I think a payback period of three-to-four years will be the magic number, rather than the current 6-9 (depending on your location). Based on cowcharge's more optimistic report, maybe that's not too far off. Nils Scott - I love this very clear approach you’ve taken to discussing solar electricity for your house. It still seems a bit too expensive for the general public, though. What price point do you think solar PV needs to reach to have a tipping point? I think a payback period of three-to-four years will be the magic number, rather than the current 6-9 (depending on your location).

Based on cowcharge’s more optimistic report, maybe that’s not too far off.

Nils

]]> Comment on 10 Power Monitoring Devices to put Your House on a Diet and Save Power by Bill Reinl http://www.watthackers.com/wp/10-energy-saving-devices-to-put-your-house-on-a-diet/#comment-133 Bill Reinl Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:15:52 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=18#comment-133 I am looking fro a device that woudl let me monitor electric motors ranging from 5 to 400 HP in a plant environment. can you offer advice and direction? Bill I am looking fro a device that woudl let me monitor electric motors ranging from 5 to 400 HP in a plant environment.

can you offer advice and direction?

Bill

]]> Comment on Installing Dusk to Dawn Photocell in Exterior Lighting to Save Power by sharon dubosh http://www.watthackers.com/wp/installing-dusk-to-dawn-photocell-in-exterior-lighting-to-save-power/#comment-132 sharon dubosh Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:47:26 +0000 http://www.watthackers.com/wp/?p=39#comment-132 about the photocell wiring....what if i have two black wires and two white wires and two grounds coming out of the electrical box????? thank you, respectfully, sharon about the photocell wiring….what if i have two black wires and two white wires and two grounds coming out of the electrical box????? thank you, respectfully, sharon

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