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TED the energy detective
The Lumberjack - Humboldt
Humboldt State University is finding its houses under the watchful eye of TED, The Energy Detective.
TED is the newest way to easily read a building's energy consumption, plugged right into any electrical outlet. It is a sleuth of the digital age, and like any new, easy-to-read upgrade, these little boxes are replacing those old, round meters outside of all houses. Here's why.
Unlike the "old system" of reading energy use from an external meter, TED gives instant digital readings in real-time inside the house (where it is rain-free) in a way that anybody can understand. A chart of how TED functions and tips on how to save energy accompany the small, white box, making it easy for the reader to calculate energy being saved.
"It's much better than waiting until the next month to get your electricity bill," Chris North, engineering major, said.
The chart, created by Green Campus Program Coordinator Ben Mattio, shows users their current electrical use (in seconds), daily peaks and totals, as well as monthly usage, in kilowatts and in dollars.
With only a few lights on and the heater going, one can actually stand in front of the device and see the display rising from .29 Kw to .39 Kw and eventually 1 Kw. Turn off these appliances and the readings will drop.
"One of the questions we ask with this project is 'Are we saving energy?' If we compare this last month to the previous month's use we can tell if we are saving energy or not and make changes based on what we learn," Mattio said.
Another way TED works is by calculating the Nighttime Load; or how much energy is being consumed when all the appliances are turned off. If .25 Kw is not displayed on the screen, which is the current Nighttime Load, something is still on. Calculating an individual appliance's energy use is just as easy as plugging it in and comparing it with the Nighttime Load.
"Even if everything is turned off, there are still appliances that use electricity. For example, things with fans, remote controls or heating units inside them still store electricity even when they are turned off," Mattio said.
These units are available for around 0, plus installation, but if savings really make a difference, it may be a wise investment as well as a helpful tool to curb energy consumption.
Jeff Steuben, a program coordinator, sees the need for these devices.
"Typical residential houses run about - bill for electricity, so if we show people how much energy they are using right there, the hope is to use less," Steuben said.
While still in its pilot run, TED is available for anyone to purchase.
The test on campus is to see if a generally energy-inefficient housing situation can save energy, compared to more complex buildings like Harry Griffith Hall, which may house TED next semester if the trial run is a success. TED is currently being tested on three campus locations: The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology house, the Youth Education Services house and the Multicultural Center.
Because Humboldt State buys its energy in a "block" to save money (unlike most homes) it cannot accurately determine which areas on campus are demanding, and using, the most energy. That is where TED steps in. If the initial three-month trial run is a success, these little devices may be popping up in other spots on campus.
"If [TED] works, why not use it on all the [CSU] campuses?" Mattio said.
Anyone is encouraged to learn more by visiting one of the locations on campus where TED is being housed, or by visiting the Green Campus Web site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~greenhsu.
"We hope to advertise the location of the TEDs to bring more people to those houses." Steuben said. "It's about making those little houses more energy efficient because they are inefficient right now. TED is on the market and anyone can buy one for themselves."
The Lumberjack - Humboldt
Humboldt State University is finding its houses under the watchful eye of TED, The Energy Detective.
TED is the newest way to easily read a building's energy consumption, plugged right into any electrical outlet. It is a sleuth of the digital age, and like any new, easy-to-read upgrade, these little boxes are replacing those old, round meters outside of all houses. Here's why.
Unlike the "old system" of reading energy use from an external meter, TED gives instant digital readings in real-time inside the house (where it is rain-free) in a way that anybody can understand. A chart of how TED functions and tips on how to save energy accompany the small, white box, making it easy for the reader to calculate energy being saved.
"It's much better than waiting until the next month to get your electricity bill," Chris North, engineering major, said.
The chart, created by Green Campus Program Coordinator Ben Mattio, shows users their current electrical use (in seconds), daily peaks and totals, as well as monthly usage, in kilowatts and in dollars.
With only a few lights on and the heater going, one can actually stand in front of the device and see the display rising from .29 Kw to .39 Kw and eventually 1 Kw. Turn off these appliances and the readings will drop.
"One of the questions we ask with this project is 'Are we saving energy?' If we compare this last month to the previous month's use we can tell if we are saving energy or not and make changes based on what we learn," Mattio said.
Another way TED works is by calculating the Nighttime Load; or how much energy is being consumed when all the appliances are turned off. If .25 Kw is not displayed on the screen, which is the current Nighttime Load, something is still on. Calculating an individual appliance's energy use is just as easy as plugging it in and comparing it with the Nighttime Load.
"Even if everything is turned off, there are still appliances that use electricity. For example, things with fans, remote controls or heating units inside them still store electricity even when they are turned off," Mattio said.
These units are available for around 0, plus installation, but if savings really make a difference, it may be a wise investment as well as a helpful tool to curb energy consumption.
Jeff Steuben, a program coordinator, sees the need for these devices.
"Typical residential houses run about - bill for electricity, so if we show people how much energy they are using right there, the hope is to use less," Steuben said.
While still in its pilot run, TED is available for anyone to purchase.
The test on campus is to see if a generally energy-inefficient housing situation can save energy, compared to more complex buildings like Harry Griffith Hall, which may house TED next semester if the trial run is a success. TED is currently being tested on three campus locations: The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology house, the Youth Education Services house and the Multicultural Center.
Because Humboldt State buys its energy in a "block" to save money (unlike most homes) it cannot accurately determine which areas on campus are demanding, and using, the most energy. That is where TED steps in. If the initial three-month trial run is a success, these little devices may be popping up in other spots on campus.
"If [TED] works, why not use it on all the [CSU] campuses?" Mattio said.
Anyone is encouraged to learn more by visiting one of the locations on campus where TED is being housed, or by visiting the Green Campus Web site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~greenhsu.
"We hope to advertise the location of the TEDs to bring more people to those houses." Steuben said. "It's about making those little houses more energy efficient because they are inefficient right now. TED is on the market and anyone can buy one for themselves."
