Can you really save 40% on your electricity bills by plugging a small box into your AC socket?
Copyright 2006 Martin Pavion
In the past six month a number of products have been advertised on TV and online which seem too good to be true.
I'd like to explain the reality of these exciting claims and give you a layman's understanding of how Power Savers work.
A Power Saver is a device which you plug in to your power socket.
Apparently just by keeping the device connected it will immediately reduce your power consumption.
Typical claims are savings between 25% and 40%.
The technology behind Power Saver units comes from German research coupled with Asian manufacturing and it is based on sound scientific principles.
Electricity is not stable.
When electricity flows the voltage can rise and fall all the time.
The rises in voltage are known as ?spikes' and they cannot be used by your appliances at all.
All these spikes do is waste your electricity.
These power spikes also convert electrical energy into heat energy which leaks power from your circuit.
Not only that but the heat will also do long-term danage to your wiring and to your appliances.
There are a few Power Saver models on the market but they all work along the same principle.
They store the electricity inside of it using a system of capacitors and they release it in a smoother way to normal without the spikes.
The systems also automatically remove carbon from the circuit which also encourages a smoother electrical flow.
This means that you will have less power spikes.
More of the electricity flowing around your circuit can be used to power your appliances than before.
There are many factors which do affect the efficiency of your Power Saver.
The device works immediately after plugging it in although it can take as long as 8 days before it has adjusted itself for peak performance.
The rate of savings will depend on what kind of appliances you have connected.
All appliances are different but expect savings of up to 25% on lights, 30% on air-conditioning units and up to 35% on other appliances.
The highest savings will be in areas where voltage supply is less stable.
Locations close to shops, restaurants and light industries tend to gain additional savings from Power Saver devices.
So how can you be sure that your Power Saver is working correctly?
Most often Power Savers come fitted with a light to indicate that it is working.
If you have access to an electricity meter then you should see it immediately slowing down.
Assuming that the light is on and that you leave the device unattended you can expect savings immediately.
Be aware that often electricity companies will not take meter readings each month.
Often bills are calculated on monthly averages which self-correct over time so please be aware of that in using your bill as a guide.
Finally, it is highly recommended to order your Power Savers from companies offering 100% guarantees for longer than 30 days.
Remember that 30 days may not be sufficient time to truly know if the device is working as effectively as you expect.
Try to work with companies that extend their guarantee dates to at least 60 day which gives you a much longer period to assess the benefits.
.
Invisible Causes of Water Damage
If you want to prevent water damage in your home or office, you must first learn where to look for and what are the different causes of this kind of damage. This article covers the invisible causes of water damage, those that are a little harder to detect by simple do-it-yourself inspections. There is additional material about the visible causes of water damage that you need to read in order to fully understand the subject. A good understanding of the subject will not only provide you with great techniques to prevent water damage but also will help you save money and will keep your house in good shape, preserving its value for many years. While you can control some of the causes for damage, others cannot be predicted and therefore cannot be prevented.
Plumbing:
Plumbing equipment usually develops leaks due failures in joints or hose attachment.
Internal wall leaks are even harder to discover and can cause major damage.
Pipes
...
Appliances > Invisible Causes of Water Damage
Emergency Generators
The disruption of power for substantial lengths of time can occur at any time due to hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, snowfall and other natural calamities. Having emergency backup power in such situations is not only essential for hospitals and commercial establishments but also in homes to run critical appliances like lights, refrigerators, heaters and medical equipment.
There are basically two types of generators that can be used in an emergency: portable and permanent standby generators. The main difference between the two is their output power and price.
In times of emergencies, portable generators provide the most economical way of supplying back up power. Appliances are directly plugged into the generator using the recommended extension cord or alternatively are connected to the home wiring system using a transfer switch.
The generators come with an electric start or a pull start and loaded with many other features including the GFCI receptacles.
Appliances > Emergency Generators
Energy Saving Tips #2
There are many things that can be done around the house to lessen the impact of spiraling energy costs that sap your household budget. Follow these suggestions and you will save money.
*It is more economical to use one large bulb than several small bulbs. For instance, a 100-watt bulb gives as much light as six 25-watt bulbs but uses less than 2/3 the power.
*Keep your freezer full since all the frozen items will keep other items cold, but do not pack your fridge.
It needs room so that air can circulate around the food.
*Cool hot foods before putting them in the refrigerator or freezer. Also, be sure all moist foods are covered since high humidity requires more energy.
*Keep the drapes open during the day to take in the heat from the sun, but shut them at night to keep out the cold.
*Take short showers instead of baths.
*Use your dryer efficiently. Keep the lint...
Appliances > Energy Saving Tips #2
OffMyServer Renames Company iXsystems
San Jose, CA (ContentDesk) November 10, 2005 -- OffMyServer, a full-service systems integrator and server manufacturer announced today that it has changed its name to iXsystems. The company develops BSD-based network and security appliances and advanced datacenter and network infrastructure solutions including blade servers and other open technologies.iXsystems will continue to provide a comprehensive range of server manufacturing and systems integration services for enterprise companies, government, and institutions of higher education. As it gets ready to release a new appliance and rackmount server line, iXsystems will continue to introduce new initiatives that benefit customers."We have a new name, but our mission is the same as ever. We are here to provide solutions that work for our customers," said Mike Lauth, President and CEO of iXsystems. "We do what we say we're going to do.
We approach each opportunity as a partnership, our team working side-by-side with our customers...
OffMyServer Renames Company iXsystems
Appliances > OffMyServer Renames Company iXsystems
Small Appliance Parts
If you really think about it, it's the small appliance parts that make your everyday life so much easier. You wake up in the morning and you use an oven toaster ? those are small appliance parts working right there.
In the late afternoon in the office, you pour yourself some coffee from the coffeemaker ? those are small appliance parts working again.
Indeed, most of our day is spent depending on small appliance wonders, and it's only right that we learn to use them safely and that we prolong their useful lives by taking care of them. Below are some useful tips.
Follow safety instructions.
Never forget to read the manufacturer's handbook, because it contains pertinent information about the care and use of your small appliance and its parts. Be extra careful with small kitchen appliances ? not all of them can get wet. Never plunge small kitchen appliances in dishwasher water, for example, unless the handbook tells you that it's safe. Negligence...
Small Appliance Parts
Appliances > Small Appliance Parts