Questions tagged [electricity]
Questions concerning the production or use of electricity in a sustainable way.
112
questions
3
votes
1answer
46 views
Is there an efficient method to generate electric power from wood on a residential scale?
1 kg of firewood is said to have around 4-5 kWh of energy. Some wood stoves claim a burning efficiency up to 90%, and I understand this means how completely the wood is burned. Pipe loss is not ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Power company consistently reports higher consumption than solar PV system
My power company has very consistently reported 45kWh ± 5% per month higher consumption than my grid-tied Enphase system data over the first 6 months of my installation. Why would that be?
Is my power ...
2
votes
1answer
28 views
Choosing heat sources to use with the current UK energy mix (carbon footprint)
This is related to Relative carbon footprint of gas or electric heating (UK) but with 2 key differences: things have changed in the 7 years since it was asked; I'm asking about the use of the systems ...
14
votes
5answers
5k views
For electricity use, which is better: Turning all appliances on at the same time, or spread out?
In the 1980's, a company I worked at owned a stand-alone building, and they were concerned about their electricity bill. It seemed to be higher than it should be. A manager called the electrical ...
3
votes
2answers
62 views
Minimizing home heating costs with high ceilings
I live in an old rental house with 12 foot ceilings and zero ceiling fans. I am trying to conserve as much energy as possible as heating costs are expensive. I have placed plastic on all of my windows ...
2
votes
1answer
46 views
Charging only one battery at a time, automatically
Sometimes I have multiple batteries I want to charge, but I don't want to charge them all simultaneously. There are three scenarios for this:
My power source isn't strong enough to charge all the ...
5
votes
3answers
119 views
Electricity need to switch all cars from fossil fuel
For purely hypothetical discussion, I was asking myself how big electrical production increase would be needed for a first-world country when switching all cars from fossil fuel to EV only.
I made the ...
1
vote
0answers
118 views
What darknet would you choose (or is it not justifiable)?
I want to know if there are any darknets that are sustainable. I have my doubts about Tor due to their apparent interest in Proof of Work.
https://blog.torproject.org/stop-the-onion-denial
In ...
5
votes
2answers
102 views
How to ensure you are using efficient chargers for cell phones, laptop computers, and other electronic devices?
I recently asked a question regarding a sustainable way to generate white noise. I received a wonderfully helpful comment from Móż (thank you!) in which Móż recommended ensuring that the power source ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
How to create a sustainable white noise generation box?
I would like to create a white noise generation box. I want it to be as sustainable as possible (within reason), as it will likely be used 24/7.
My thinking so far is to use an old, unused smartphone,...
5
votes
3answers
147 views
Which energy sources will replace fossil fuels for heating homes in cold climates?
Many countries are looking to phase out fossil fuels for domestic heat and hot water within this decade (see related question).
Which alternative energy sources will primarily replace fossil fuels? ...
4
votes
1answer
168 views
Any way for microinverter PV array to power a house when the grid is down?
Suppose I'm already heavily invested in microinverter type solar panels -- with the inverter on the panel on the roof. These comply with UL 1741 and will stop supplying power the moment they see grid ...
3
votes
1answer
36 views
Effects of refrigerating vegetables that I'm supposed to freeze
I recently experimented with storing "frozen edamame" in my refrigerator for 7 days (about 45 degrees F/7 deg C), instead of the freezer. There were seemingly no ill effects. So that made me ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Embodied energy of tap water
There is a significant chance that this has been covered on SE, but I haven't yet found anything similar enough for my taste (see related questions, below).
Question:
How could I go about coming up ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Help me safely mod my freezer
I want to connect my freezer to an external thermostat like this to maintain a higher temperature than it otherwise could. Are there any thermostats or other control devices that would keep the ...
2
votes
1answer
47 views
Can I insulate my refrigerator to improve efficiency?
Any "reasonable" methods would be appreciated. I have heard that this can be done but I'm dubious that it would do much. Maybe if I put polyethylene on the right bits?
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Most efficient cheap heating system for small apartment in the US midwest?
I live in the US Midwest and am looking to upgrade from my current old baseboard heaters to a more energy-efficient solution. Any ideas?
I am already well advanced on a parallel project of home ...
2
votes
0answers
37 views
Help me estimate my annual refrigerator power consumption from this data sheet?
I am shopping for refrigerators and looking at this model. Feel free to let me know if that's stupid.
But my main question is this: I'm trying to come up with a moderately conservative power ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
How does the EPA estimate annual power consumption for refrigerators?
I'm trying to get a simplified idea of how the EPA estimates annual power consumption for refrigerators, e.g. here. There are a number of reasons why I want to know this, but there are three big ones:
...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
How do I find an efficient AC-DC converter for low-power applications?
My understanding is that AC-to-DC converters each have their own "sweet spot" in which they achieve their rated or advertised maximum efficiency. I want something with maximum efficiency at ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
How to test accuracy of my Kill-A-Watt or similar device?
I have a used Kill-A-Watt power meter and want to see how accurate it is. In my "conventional" middle-class USA apartment, am I likely to have any electricity-consuming devices that I could ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
Can I use a "normal" thermometer in a refrigerator?
My refrigerator has a rheostat that I want to turn up to save energy. I'm trying to figure out whether I need to get a dedicated refrigerator thermometer.
I have a digital and a mercury-based ...
5
votes
1answer
48 views
What will happen if I leave my freezer off most of the time?
I only use my freezer to freeze ice packs, which I only use about an hour every two days. Because of this, I plan to turn my freezer off (or to the hottest setting) most of the time, and then reduce ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
How to get a small volume of freezer capacity with high efficiency and low cost?
I have a big refrigerator/freezer and barely use any of the space. I also don't necessarily need to keep things cold all the time, as I mostly use it to freeze ice packs and extend the freshness of ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
How to identify the rating of my electrical panel
Recently I got a bid from a solar company and they said I don't need to upgrade my electrical box since it is rated at 125 amps, and for that value, I can install a 7k system based on calculation here....
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Should I close vents to unused rooms?
It’s 40°C at dusk during a summer heat wave. My electric utility is threatening blackouts and begging people to conserve.
I have a couple unused rooms in a detached suburban house that don’t need air ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Creating a string of six 2V batteries in series to power an inverter
Background:
I have a Magnum Energy MSH3012RV 3kw inverter-charger that runs on 12VDC and I'd like to be able to discharge around 250 to 300 AH between recharges (from 120VAC input) without the ...
7
votes
2answers
837 views
How can I figure out what's using so much electricity in my home?
I recently moved into a new home with 2 other housemates (joining 1 who already lived there) and our combined bill for electricity is far higher than I expected. Now we're using just over 40 kWh per ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
Should a projector be turned off if it won't be used for five to ten minutes?
The conference rooms in my office have projectors mounted on the ceilings, typical of many offices.
During the day, several meetings will be scheduled in the rooms, with perhaps five to ten minutes ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Are fuel cell electricity generators a sustainable way of making electricity?
Since 75% of the universe is hydrogen, would it be sustainable to use fuel cell electricity generators? Fossil fuel generators won't last forever, because there is not an endless supply of fossil ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
I have got some lights for hydroponic growing, they run from the UK mains but have small clover shaped connectors - what are these called?
I just got a load of LED grow light tubes - they have mains connectors that use clover shaped plugs -- very much like a lot of laptop chargers use, but just a bit smaller.
There is no label on the ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
Is electricity used at night more likely to be renewable?
Discussing charging my electric car with a colleague recently I argued that since (in Ireland) our renewable energy sources are mainly wind and hydro, since I charge my car at night the mixture of ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Why are my LED light bulbs so short lived?
I thought the idea of LED is, that the light bulb has a very long life and uses very little electricity.
I have not invested in full LED lighting but tried the LED bulbs, you screw in your normal ...
5
votes
1answer
233 views
Is Tesla Powerwall a good investment?
I'm trying to determine if investing in a couple of Tesla Powerwall units to store solar energy is a wise financial decision.
My energy cost is $0.1649/kWh. The installed price of the two Powerwall ...
3
votes
2answers
204 views
Differences in efficiency between oven, toaster oven, and stove?
Wondering how efficient different cooking methods are (for the sake of example, assume a dish in a cast iron pot heated by stovetop vs. oven).
Stove seems to use less energy than an oven (as the ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Are pure or modified sine inverters different?
Just starting my power closet to power my off grid mobile home
I've come to question everyone that I belive would know with no concrete answer
Is there a difference between using a modified sine or ...
3
votes
6answers
217 views
better to heat house with gas or with electricity?
Is it better to heat house with gas or electricity? We have gas insert and gas heating but am looking at other options for sustainable energy use. Thank you!
6
votes
1answer
73 views
Size and reliability of inverter for refrigerator in an off-grid tiny home
I am building an 'Off Grid' tiny home, with my primary energy supply from solar + battery storage. I intend to utilise low voltage everything possible with the exception of a standard home washing ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
How much electric energy would a studio apartment use per month if everything inside is powered by electricity (heater, water, stove, etc.)
How much electric energy, on average, would a typical one-person studio apartment consume per month in the winter if everything inside is powered by electricity?
Additional Information:
Apartment ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How much, if any, does resolution effect the net power consumption of watching online video?
I watch a lot of online video. I'd assume that for example videos on Youtube in 720p use less power than the same videos in 1080p. I think this might be because:
more power is used by sending network ...
-5
votes
4answers
285 views
Getting power from an innovative new mechanism [closed]
I am new to StackExchange and trying my best to stay within the rules. I have invented an efficient mechanism -- a rotating mass magnetically attached inside a closed loop (GB 2517244). I am ...
7
votes
1answer
603 views
How much energy do wall outlets with USB waste when not actively charging?
In new buildings and homes I've noticed wall outlets with USB chargers popping up more and more:
Answers at another question indicate that these outlets waste energy just like traditional chargers ("...
5
votes
1answer
128 views
Best course of study for learning to build electrical systems and supporting electronics for an off grid power station
I'm working on constructing a totally self sufficient (i.e. totally off grid) building in the wild.
I do not want to restrict myself to any particular source of power (hydro, solar, wind etc), but I ...
5
votes
3answers
116 views
Do higher electricity prices cause people to use less?
Demand for gas is elastic...
I've read that cars in Europe are, on average, more efficient than cars in the US due to significantly higher taxes on gasoline.
...but not for electricity?
In the ...
3
votes
2answers
5k views
Is leaving an electric oven on to heat bad for the oven?
We leave our oven on with door open to heat our trailer Will that cause the ovens thermostat go out it's an electric stove with four burners to boil water also for heat.
2
votes
1answer
141 views
How much energy would it cost to stabilize 2 tons of water at 70 degrees?
I'm trying to figure out the efficiency of energy usage between heating up 2 tons of water from 5°C to 70°C everyday (during winter) within a certain given time (let's say one hour) and stabilizing 2 ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Office building electricity use [closed]
A typical office lease says the tenant has 1.5 watts of electricity to use per sq.ft. for lighting and 3.5 watts of electricity per sq.ft to use for computers etc. anything over this they say extra ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
How can I find out what a reasonable rate for installed solar is?
I'm looking to have a ~20kW grid-tied solar system installed at our property in Ontario, Canada. I've been searching and reading but am unable to find current (last year or two) data on how much such ...
8
votes
3answers
163 views
How the grid is managed in markets with high renewable energy penetration
As many people know, many of the renewable energy technologies generate fluctuating power dependent on availability of the power generating source e.g. wind and solar et al. Balancing power must be ...
6
votes
1answer
254 views
Can 140 square miles of solar panels power the US?
In the book The Upcycle (copyright 2013) by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, the authors make the following claim:
... consider exactly how much desert area covered in solar collectors ...