Research Project:Is unplugging idle appliances worth it?

The Heroes of Our StoryHead Investigator Erin

&Executive Investigatory Assistant Brett

Observation #1:

• They were already pretty energy-conscious.–Lights off–Energy-saving bulbs–Appliances off when idle

Mostly. . .

Observation #2:

• They still had dozens of appliances plugged in at all times!

PianoDesktop ComputerLaptop5 lampsMicrowaveToasterTVStereo

Playstation 2DVD PlayerToothbrushesHairdryerFlatironSpeakersHome phonesPlant Lamp. . .

Questions:

• How much energy and money could they save by unplugging idle appliances?

• How feasible was it to do this seven days a week?

Methodology

•First: Procure a watt hour meter–Colleagues said to try:•Public library?

»No luck – waiting list

months long. •School library?

»Yes! “Kill-a-Watt”

meter in stock!

Methodology

•Second: Consult energy bill –Total kilowatt hours consumed in October: 286 KWH–Total Bill: $27.10–Translation: • Cost = $00.09476 / KWH

Methodology

• Third: Measure ‘phantom’ energy draw per appliance and determine feasibility of regular and recurring unplugging.

Woo! DATA-COLLECTING TIME!

Data Collection: Preparations

• First, Erin drew up a spreadsheet. . .

. . . and sat Brett down for a little “talk.” (wherein they estimated

“Y” for each appliance)

Appliances Feasibly unpluggable hrs/week

Phantom energy consumption / week

Cost/week if plugged in 24/7

Savings/week if unplugged when feasible

Operations: Estimate(Y)

X / ($0.09476 / KWH)

Direct measure

(X)

X * (Y/ 168 total hr s per

week)

PS2

Laptop

TV

Data Collection• Then the Kill-a-Watt meter did its duty

again. . . and again. . . and again. . .

. . . and the unplugging schedule was attempted for one week.

Data Collection Errors• DVR and refrigerator data unrecorded. –Sloth•“I don’t wanna move the fridge!“

–and Covetousness•“But that’ll erase all our shows!”

• Only a few minutes spent measuring each appliance.–(Kill-a-Watt = more accurate w/ more time.)

• Only spent 1 week following unplugging schedule – feasibility still unsure.

Data Analysis:Google Docs/Excel Spreadsheet

Appliances Feasibly unpluggable hrs/week

Phantom energy consumption / week(KWH/week)

Cost/week if plugged in 24/7

Savings/week if unplugged when feasible

Savings/year if unplugged when feasible

TOTALS 3069 14.13 $1.37 $.75 $39.15

Operations: Estimate(Y)

X / ($0.09476 / KWH)

Direct measure

(X)

X * (Y / total hrs per week)

previous x 52

Laptop 105 0.717 $0.71 $0.44 $23.08

+ 30 other appliances

Desktop tower (ON) not included in totals

105 18.26 92.56 1.11 57.85

•Desktop (ON) data not included in “totals” calculations.

•Computers account for WAY more energy draw than anything else I measured!

Data Comparison

• Phantom power accounts for 5-10% of all energy used in homes in Canada, but accounts for only 2% of mine! Also, from nova energy:

•My CRT desktop display: 5.65 Watts (sleeping)•Theirs: 12.14 W

•My laptop LCD display: 42.68 W (hibernated!)•Theirs: 1.38

What?!

What it means for me:• Computers draw a TON of energy!–Laptop accounts for 2/3 of total

“phantom” energy and cost–Desktop tower, left ON (as it IS),

drastically increases energy & cost if included!

• $40 per year may not be worth unplugging so many things daily. . .

But $60 just for shutting off the desktop? YES! That’s worth it.

Plan going forward:• Unplug laptop EVEN when hibernating

• Take 5 min before bed to unplug major appliances like TV & printer

• Unplug piano, speakers, and PS2 except when in use

DEFINITELY turn off desktop computer when not in use!

Further questions:

What DOES make up the majority of my energy bill, if not phantom energy?

Why is my LCD display so much less energy-efficient than some?

How many other people spend almost $100 a year just because they never turn

their computers off?

Sources• Clip-art on slide 3, 5, 7–9, 11, 13, and 14 courtesy of

Microsoft Powerpoint• Kill-a-Watt meter pics:– http://www.kador.com/kawweb/EZ/killawattez.jpg– http://

blogofwishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/kill-a-watt-power-meter-2.jpg

– http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedImages/Blogs/Energy_Matters/Killawatt-small.jpg

– http://www.treehugger.com/killawatt-watt-meter-photo347.jpg• Google Docs/Spreadsheet pic:– http://

verdugovips.com/images/google-docs_spreadsheet-773638.jpg• Standby Energy Usage Table and Canada energy info:– http://

www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/energy/poweringdown/assets_c/2009/01/FreeSnap001-thumb-500x337-46.jpg

– http://youthenergy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/phantom-flyer-web-front.jpg