Energy Technology

Energy Technology

And other Energy Spy Tools and Gadgets

by Don Ames

Energy Spy Tools and Gadgets.  Let’s look at some tools and gadgets that I think you should have in your Energy Spy toolbox. We do not need to get too fancy or too expensive to have a valuable Spy Toolbox. Afterall, part of this energy spy business is to accomplish our goals without sacrifice.

Start of with a thermometer. We need to be able to take a few temperatures to be a good energy spy. Get a thermometer that can take the temperature in your freezer and can also take the temperature of your hot water. We need to know that all temperature settings, from a freezer to a hot water tank, are set for best efficiency. Remember, the hot water should be 120 to 130 degrees hot and the freezer should be 0 to 5 degrees cold. For the refrigerator, 36 to 39 degrees. I like to use a probe type pocket thermometer – big enough to keep track of, yet small enough to carry in a shirt pocket. $3.00 dollars or less at your favorite variety store (look in the cookware area).

Next, let’s throw in some wall outlet & switch covers. When I perform a blower door test on a home and measure the home air leakage in cubic feet per minute, I am always surprised to find most every light switch and electric outlet plug receptical in the home, leaking air. It’s amazing, and a lot of the time, the switches and outlets on interior walls leak more than the switches and outlets on exterior walls. Draft Stoppers – package of 12 – $3.00.

If you need a night light available for the dark times, use LED night lights that have the ability to come on at dusk and go off at day break. The LED part is important (use very little juice) and the off at day break part is important (can’t forget to turn it off). Letting a childs incandescent night light burn all night and all day is burning up some real juice. Low voltage night lights, package of three, $8.00.

Visiting a home, I found a shower nozzle that reminded me of a giant sunflower stocking the bathroom. Nearly 10 inches across, with several hundred water dispensing holes, I can only assume it was used for washing the landscape looking for gold.