?timer (auto shut off)switches for household lights?

[Toby]

Hello all,

I live in a large 2 story home with my wife and 4 young children. I'm
interested in a type of timer that I could install in-line with plug in
household items and wall switched lighting. Our electric useage each month
is insane. A good month is 1000 Kwh, and close to 3000 Kwh in the summer.
We have a problem with things being left on all day or all night ie: TV's,
computers, lights, lights, lights, curling irons, electronic toys etc. In
the summer it's the A/C. It used to really irritate me, but then I decided
that if it cost me an extra 100 bucks to have a happy home, it's worth it.

I'm wondering if there are any devices for automatically shuting off the
power to a wall outlet and also light switches. I've seen the old twist the
knob type (hotel bathrooms) and I'm not enthused. I have young kids (10
monthes - 10 years) so it has to be easy for them to operate. Are there any
type of wall recepticals that could be installed with a push button to turn
the power on for say an hour and then off? Also in a light switch model. I
don't mind investing in things like this but it has to be easy to operate
and asthetically pleasing to my wife, or it won't fly. Help!!!!! We live
in California and the more electricity we use over the baseline, the more it
cost.

Any ideas or leads appreciated
Toby

 

[Vaughn]

I'm wondering if there are any devices for automatically shuting off the
power to a wall outlet and also light switches. I've seen the old twist the
knob type (hotel bathrooms) and I'm not enthused. I have young kids (10
monthes - 10 years) so it has to be easy for them to operate. Are there any
type of wall recepticals that could be installed with a push button to turn
the power on for say an hour and then off? Also in a light switch model. I
don't mind investing in things like this but it has to be easy to operate
and asthetically pleasing to my wife, or it won't fly. Help!!!!! We live
in California and the more electricity we use over the baseline, the more it
cost.

Conservation starts by having the right appliances and then using them
intelligently. The first thing that you should already have done is banish
incandescent lamps from your home, replacing them with compact fluorescent.
Timers are a cheap item you can find at K-mart or any hardware store, but
only use them to solve a real problem because they take power themselves.
You can replace your light switches with the presence-sensing type to
automatically control your lighting.

Vaughn

 

[Bughunter]

There are tons of gadgets out there. Levitron sells light switches that are
activated by
body heat when somebody enters the room. They are often used in corporate
conference rooms,

Also, there are a lot of X10 devices that you can use to control and manage
electrical appliances. Do a search for "X10".

But, I would think that what you really need to do is apply a little 1950's
"technology".

It's called discipline.

Explain to your family how much electric costs.
Teach your kids and wife the importance of shuting off the lights
and applances when they are done with them and to conserve electricity.
Once they learn that simple bit of self-control, it will last them a
lifetime, regrdless where they live
and what gadgets are available.

 

[SQLit]

Hello all,

I live in a large 2 story home with my wife and 4 young children. I'm
interested in a type of timer that I could install in-line with plug in
household items and wall switched lighting. Our electric useage each month
is insane. A good month is 1000 Kwh, and close to 3000 Kwh in the summer.
We have a problem with things being left on all day or all night ie: TV's,
computers, lights, lights, lights, curling irons, electronic toys etc. In
the summer it's the A/C. It used to really irritate me, but then I decided
that if it cost me an extra 100 bucks to have a happy home, it's worth it.

I'm wondering if there are any devices for automatically shuting off the
power to a wall outlet and also light switches. I've seen the old twist the
knob type (hotel bathrooms) and I'm not enthused. I have young kids (10
monthes - 10 years) so it has to be easy for them to operate. Are there any
type of wall recepticals that could be installed with a push button to turn
the power on for say an hour and then off? Also in a light switch model. I
don't mind investing in things like this but it has to be easy to operate
and asthetically pleasing to my wife, or it won't fly. Help!!!!! We live
in California and the more electricity we use over the baseline, the more it
cost.

Any ideas or leads appreciated
Toby

Your A/C , waterheater, oven are your biggest users. The appliances surely
help but are not much considering the running loads of what I just
mentioned. In this vein get a programmable thermostat and install it. They
come in various types and kinds so you must match the use exactly. A heat
pump tstat will not work for a gas/ac type furnace. This will cost you up to
$300.00. I use the Honeywell Cromalux III. There are others out as good now
for a bit less money. ( I have the gas heater/ac set up and it is more money
than a straight heat pump). Next your water heater, a $35.00 timer will do
wonders for you. Only problem is that you will need to be aware if you are
using water outside the times you have programmed. There will be some
issues. Lowes sells one that has a manual over ride that a screw driver can
push with out opening the cover. Might be good for the SO.
Lots of places sell the compact fluorescents. They will help 28 watts for
100 watts of light. Costco or IKEA are the cheapest places for these. I do
not like the yellowish lights at Ikea though I have some in my home.
Check around/web and see what you can find for your application.
It will be easier to train your children than to put motion sensors into
every wall switch that they leave on. Motion sensor switches cost ~$20.00
each and that is a lot of electricity. Make it a game with the youngest
ones. Give them an award when they turn off the lights. Once I had 3 small
boys in my charge. The youngest ~3 learned our phone number in just one
afternoon when I promised him the largest ice cream cone he had ever seen.
( It was a 5 decker, on heck of a mess, but I made a promise) Had the same
issues with the lights in the beginning. I gave them all sliding allowances
each week. If the lights were out then the allowance when up. The youngest
used to turn off the lights in our bathroom when we were in the shower. I
had created a monster. Solved the original problem.

Just my thoughts and experiences, you will need to adapt to your situation.

NEVER use the oven in the summer, use the grill. I take over the
cooking/cleaning duties in the summer, the boys help and the wife gets a
break for a few months. Might not work for you does for us.

 

[Harry Chickpea]

Timers are a cheap item you can find at K-mart or any hardware store, but
only use them to solve a real problem because they take power themselves.

minor correction - You can buy spring loaded wall switch timers that don't use
additional power, but you have to stay away from the cheap imports. The
cheapest models sometimes fail to shut off, defeating the purpose. There used
to be spring loaded box timers as well, to avoid problems with power outages.
I haven't seen one in years, and I think the battery operated digital ones took
over that market.

 

[Toby]

I bought 3 (20 count) cases of compact flourescents, and in rooms that
needed more light I installed the fancy 4 foot tube units. We live in the
hills, so we have a well for water and I have everything possible running on
gas. I do most of the cooking. In the summer I cook outside frequently and
in the winter I do alot of slow cook items on our antique parlor wood stove.
My wife is the major offender. We used to have alot of heated discussions
over it. When I bought this house she refused to move in until I had A/C
installed. I prefer to open every window and let the mountain air flow
through. Remember the show Green Acres. We are at opposite ends of the
scale when it comes to conservation. We both work 3 days a week
alternateing days, so somebody is always home. It is normal for me to come
home late at night and find the whole house lit up with everyone in bed! I
agree the kids are trainable and I have had some success with them. I like
the incentive idea and I'll try it out. I'm going to get a Kill-a-watt
meter to help with explaining how much power is being wasted. $20.00 a
switch is totally acceptable if it looks nice to the eye and is easy for the
kids to use. Motion sensor switches are something I never thought of and
I'll look into them. I have the kids today and have to go to town so I plan
on stopping in at home depot to see what's available.

Thanks for the ideas )
Toby

 

[Steve Spence]

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/PPF/Category_ID/533/products.asp


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