Got an energy question? Send me an email and I'll answer it here!

Is it worth the effort to shut compters and power strips down each night? Click here for the Vampire Electronics spec sheet.
When you look at the annual cost of leaving a computer and monitor on--in sleep mode--all night, $36.00 per year doesn't seem like much. But mulitply that by 2,500 desktop computers in the district and the number is a staggaring $90,000 per year. That figure doesn't count Smartboards, VCR's, printers, sound systems, or any other electronics in our classrooms and offices. Our small individual efforts collectively add up to a significant sum. Our database indicates roughly $6,500 per month in savings is attributed to the collective results of these small gestures.

Does it really save money to turn thermostats down during unoccupied times?
Yes. Years of research, numerous studies, and simple physics indicate that re-heating a building uses less energy than keeping it at a constant temperature. Questar Gas says " Set your thermostat to 58 degrees if you will be away from your house for more than a few hours." Our database indicates that during the winter months we save roughly $1,000 per day or $30,000 per month by setting temperatures back to 60 degrees during nights and weekends. Still not convinced? Check the following links:
DiscoveryChannel
Thermwise.com
EnergyStar.com
wiki.answers.com
Care2.com

Why don't we install solar panels on the roofs of all our buildings?
There is grant money available right now to place solar panels on at least one building in each school district in Utah. We are in the process of deciding if this opportunity makes sense for our schools. Solar panels are expensive and relatively inefficient. By far the best way to reduce our energy impacts is to conserve.  For example, it would take four to six thousand 3'X5' solar panels to produce the amount of electricity we save each day with our energy conservation program.

How can I cut my utility costs at home?
Click HERE for a link to an informative article

Mythbusters video (2 minutes): Does it save energy to turn lights off, or to leave them on? Click here to view

How much does it cost to run a vending machine?
Vending machines consume approximately 400 watts--and have an annual apperating cost of between $200 and $400 per year, depending on the size and model and local electric rates. Delamping vending machines (removing the lights) can reduce the operational cost of a vending machine by almost half (up to 180 watts). For those that want to know more check out this link: http://www.p2pays.org/ref/32/31320.pdf.

How much energy does a space heater for my feet use?
A desktop computer and monitor uses between 150 and 300 watts of electricity per hour. A space heater on high uses 1,500 watts per hour--the equivalent of running ten desktop computers. Consider keeping a pair of outrageous fuzzy slippers under your desk to slide your feet into instead of using a space heater.

Does it take more energy to turn flourescent lights on and off than it does to just leave them on? Short answer: The best way to save energy is to turn off the things that you're not using. Rule of thumb for flourescent bulbs is turn them off if you will be gone for more than ten to fifteen minutes. Click here for a detailed article. Second article.

How much does it cost to run one computer for one day?
A desktop computer and monitor uses between 150 and 300 watts of electricity per hour or about $1.00 if left on all day. Not bad, but consider that the district has over 3,000 computers in operation any given day. By a conservative estimate, we can save about $500 per day if we all shut down our computers AND turn off power strips (or monitors if the power strip is not accessible) each night. This is especially critical in computer labs. Monitors can consume up to half of the total energy of the hard drive.

During the day, when it is brighter outside, open the curtains and use the sunlight instead of turning on the lights.