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Home Energy Magazine Online September/October 1994
EDITORIAL
The Green Plug Dilemma
Several new types of electricity-saving devices are becoming common. These
gadgets rely on electronics to operate an appliance more efficiently. Perhaps
the best known example is the Green Plug, which adjusts the voltage applied to
motors to improve their performance--but there are also motor controllers,
"smart" thermostats, and sensors now available. We are delighted that the power
of integrated circuit logic is now being applied to saving energy; there are
many situations where a little "intelligence" can save energy and sometimes
provide new services and amenities.
One trouble with this new generation of electronic energy savers is that they
are much more difficult to test (and therefore verify) than previous
energy-saving devices. There are few recognized test procedures to evaluate
energy savings for these types of devices. When no recognized test procedure
exists, manufacturers must design their own and unscrupulous manufacturers may
design a test which favors their product and exaggerates the related energy
savings.
Furthermore, the situations where these devices save energy are not as obvious
as with more familiar hardware-type conservation measures. For example, it's
simple to understand that ceiling insulation will save energy in colder
climates. In contrast, the greatest savings from a motor controller are likely
to occur when the voltage of the utility power is above 115 volts. The voltage
supplied to a house is not something a consumer can easily measure. Moreover,
just because the voltage in one house is excessive doesn't mean that a nearby
town has the same problem. Therefore it is impossible to make blanket
recommendations about the value of a device.
These new electronic devices are often very successful in specific situations
where an unusual energy consumption situation exists. These "niches" exist
because standard conservation measures are not flexible enough to address all
conditions (such as complex thermostat schedule or lights with unusual usage
patterns). Yet manufacturers typically claim their devices achieve that maximum
savings everywhere. For example, a motor controller manufacturer might claim
that its product will cut energy use by 20%, even when this is true only for
old refrigerators located in high voltage areas.
There is no way for consumers to easily verify that those savings were achieved
in circumstances similar to those found in their own homes. Better information
could go a long way towards repairing this problem. For example, prescription
drugs list the conditions under which use of the drug is justified. A similar
kind of recommendation is needed for electronics-based conservation devices.
Finally, there are virtually no sources of independent verification of
manufacturers' claims. Occasionally Consumer Reports will publish the
test results of an isolated device, but the magazine has been lamentably
unsophisticated in its evaluations of electronic thermostats and other devices.
Utility companies--which are constantly studying new energy-using and -saving
equipment--know much more, but are afraid to release their findings due to
lawsuits the results may trigger. The federal government is much further
behind; it barely recognizes that such devices even exist. In any event,
regulations ensure that the government won't be able to provide information to
consumers to distinguish between legitimate energy savers, niche-savers, and
outright frauds.
The good news is that new energy-saving devices are becoming available which
can save energy in unusual circumstances. They may also provide additional
convenience or security. The bad news is that circumstances in which
cost-effective savings are achieved may be rare, or at least difficult for
consumers to determine.
Alan Meier (signature)
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