Using a Digital Timer to save Energy
Posted by Norman F
Digital timers are a very useful in your quest to save money on your energy bill. You can program them to turn devices on and off. More advanced ones allow you to setup different times for different days. Most electric utilities have the lowest rates between midnight and 7 AM, use a timer to schedule appliances or pool filtering during those hours. Intermatic makes a lot of these timers.
We use this outlet plug timer to control our Internet connection. It is set to turn on at 7 AM in the morning and off at 10 PM at night, seven days a week. The Cablemodem / DSL modem, ATT Microcell, Ethernet switch, and Wireless router are controlled by the timer.
We found powering on/off these boxes far too tedious. Many an evening we would forget to power things down. Installing a timer like this make it automatic.
You are saving energy and increasing Internet security. Leaving your connect on 24/7, invites hackers to probe you.
A cheap analog timer that is GE branded but made by Jasco is available from Home Depot too. It draws a low 0.07 Amps when plugged in. The timer has 15 A rating.
Lamp Socket Automatic Off Timer Light Control
This simple sub $10 light control gizmo plugs in between light bulbs and sockets and simply turns the light off after 30 minutes, 1,2,3 or 4 hours. Great for those who forget to turn off lights.
Other sockets are available with photo sensors so they only turn on when it is dark. These are very useful outside. Payback time is on the order of several months.
Filed under: Conservation, Easy, Eco Friendly, Effort, Electronics, Energy, Green, Home, Money, Reduce | Tags: Clock timer, Digital Timer, Intermatic Timer, Internet Connection, Phantom Power
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May 5th, 2010 at 11:26 am
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