Archive for the ‘Home’ Category
Domestic Energy Usage vs Target
Just another simple way of trending energy cost/usage. In this case budget busting blip shows the extra xmas demand due to hosting of visitors ….. should have gone skiing ! Brultech ECM 1240 web interface sample.
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Gutted. Google announced plainly that Google Powermeter will be cancelled in 90 days, 16th September being the termination date. That was an unpleasant surprise. After drawn in with all the jingly pump of helping to save the planet they have doubtless got bored and pulled the plug. You get what you pay for ! A […]
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Tags: Google, Google PowerMeter
My Solar PV – FAQ (Glasgow)
Here is a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ that may help interested parties in the area considering Solar PV. Q. Am I happy would I do it again? A. Yes/Yes Q. Is it right for everyone ? A. Depends on your roof location (southerly and not shaded by trees/buildings/mountains) ……. and whether you can stomach […]
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Tags: Photovoltaic array, Renewable, Solar
Large Low Power LED TV
I’ve been thinking about upgrading the main lounge TV for some time and currently have a 5 year old Samsung 40 inch LCD that consumes a ‘reasonable’ 230 watts. In it’s day I guess it would have been a class leader. Anyway, I have been hankering for a bigger screen, full HD 1080 support and […]
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Tags: Energy Saving
In just 72 days the roof mounted Solar PV system has now reached the 1 million Wh barrier (or 1000 kWh) Not too shabby. Okay, it’s not a race, but it is both nice to see the ‘green’ investment performing slightly above expectations and there is also that childish hypnotic ‘odometer’ rollover syndrome. Back to […]
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Tags: Kilowatt hour, Photovoltaics, Renewable energy
Solar Thermal – Appeal Review
Ding ding Round 2 ! Nearly a year ago I looked at solar thermal for hot water and could not justify spending money on this technology. So it’s time for an appeal review armed with all this recent solar knowledge and experience. Why do I want to do this ? I like the idea of […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Solar, Solar thermal energy
Not the best photograph, but my new toy - an Android HTC Desire currently version 2.1 (waiting on full flash 2.2 froyo) Anyway, nice to report that the flash lite bundle worked on the standard browser without any tweaking. See the snap below for a Google Power Meter working nicely on wifi. Try that on […]
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Tags: Android, Google PowerMeter, HTC Desire
So was August a good month for Solar PV ? Short answer is yes ! The total haul was 445 kWh or 3.6 kWh per day per kWp installed on Glasgow SW 30 degree roof. Commenting on the August results. Highest Daily record now 25 kWh also a new record low of 4 kWh as […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Solar
The way google conducts itself is so different to the razzamatazz of Apple with its product staged releases. Take the Google Power Meter after an initial video then foggy release I have found it to keep getting better without any hint, notification or even documentation. On first use I had a number of bug bears, […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Google PowerMeter, visualisation
Family Mobile Miser Challenge
Running mobile phones for a family of 5 can be a costly affair. Or maybe not, here’s the challenge. Target Cost £5 per person per month. Unlimited free calls between all family members. Unlimited SMS/texts for 2 teenagers Some inclusive talk/texts for everyone A basic phone It was a rhetorical question, because it can be […]
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Tags: cheap mobile calls, giffgaff
Even with the days shortening we had a super sunshine Sunday and this was backed up by generating the highest total to date since our July installation. Whilst the daily energy was 25 kWh, I looked at the maximum Wp reading and was surprised to see that the maximum peak was only 3.25 kW. Head […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Solar
I tip my hat to this man he deserves a medal, MBE, Knighthood. The bar for ‘pro-DIY’ has been well and truly raised. http://peckhampower.org/blog/insulating-our-victorian-living-room It is a well told story, actually more like incredible journey (those Disney pets had it easy) about the quest for a little more warmth and comfort in a home lounge/living […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Insulation
A Working Google Gas Meter !
I am now getting gas usage data through to Google Power Meter. I did mention a while back that a connection was established to the gas meter and being logged, but the data never up until now never made it through to Google Power Meter. Here is the old article link http://albacontrols.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/gas-metering-result/ So those clever […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Google PowerMeter, visualisation
(Domestic) NET Metering Solution
So what is NET metering ? It is the ability to measure power/energy Generated (for solar/wind) Used ie how much the home consumes (That used to be easy!) Exported back to the grid (basically = Generated – Used) NET metering is really of value where there is some generation on site such as a wind […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Solar
I now have a 3.995 kWp Solar PV installed and working, here I my thoughts now its in and running. Bad Points As I grumbled before the red tape and silly hoops/paperwork/procedures/process to go through to get a proper MCS approved system and a grant/loan was sooooo boring rigor mortis was close to setting in […]
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Tags: Energy Saving, Solar
