2008 Woodie Awards
TED the energy detective
James Wallace
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Science and Technology
Humboldt State University is finding its houses under the watchful eye of TED, The Energy Detective.
TED is the newest way to easily read a building's energy consumption, plugged right into any electrical outlet. It is a sleuth of the digital age, and like any new, easy-to-read upgrade, these little boxes are replacing those old, round meters outside of all houses. Here's why.
Unlike the "old system" of reading energy use from an external meter, TED gives instant digital readings in real-time inside the house (where it is rain-free) in a way that anybody can understand. A chart of how TED functions and tips on how to save energy accompany the small, white box, making it easy for the reader to calculate energy being saved.
"It's much better than waiting until the next month to get your electricity bill," Chris North, engineering major, said.
The chart, created by Green Campus Program Coordinator Ben Mattio, shows users their current electrical use (in seconds), daily peaks and totals, as well as monthly usage, in kilowatts and in dollars.
With only a few lights on and the heater going, one can actually stand in front of the device and see the display rising from .29 Kw to .39 Kw and eventually 1 Kw. Turn off these appliances and the readings will drop.
"One of the questions we ask with this project is 'Are we saving energy?' If we compare this last month to the previous month's use we can tell if we are saving energy or not and make changes based on what we learn," Mattio said.
Another way TED works is by calculating the Nighttime Load; or how much energy is being consumed when all the appliances are turned off. If .25 Kw is not displayed on the screen, which is the current Nighttime Load, something is still on. Calculating an individual appliance's energy use is just as easy as plugging it in and comparing it with the Nighttime Load.
"Even if everything is turned off, there are still appliances that use electricity. For example, things with fans, remote controls or heating units inside them still store electricity even when they are turned off," Mattio said.
TED is the newest way to easily read a building's energy consumption, plugged right into any electrical outlet. It is a sleuth of the digital age, and like any new, easy-to-read upgrade, these little boxes are replacing those old, round meters outside of all houses. Here's why.
Unlike the "old system" of reading energy use from an external meter, TED gives instant digital readings in real-time inside the house (where it is rain-free) in a way that anybody can understand. A chart of how TED functions and tips on how to save energy accompany the small, white box, making it easy for the reader to calculate energy being saved.
"It's much better than waiting until the next month to get your electricity bill," Chris North, engineering major, said.
The chart, created by Green Campus Program Coordinator Ben Mattio, shows users their current electrical use (in seconds), daily peaks and totals, as well as monthly usage, in kilowatts and in dollars.
With only a few lights on and the heater going, one can actually stand in front of the device and see the display rising from .29 Kw to .39 Kw and eventually 1 Kw. Turn off these appliances and the readings will drop.
"One of the questions we ask with this project is 'Are we saving energy?' If we compare this last month to the previous month's use we can tell if we are saving energy or not and make changes based on what we learn," Mattio said.
Another way TED works is by calculating the Nighttime Load; or how much energy is being consumed when all the appliances are turned off. If .25 Kw is not displayed on the screen, which is the current Nighttime Load, something is still on. Calculating an individual appliance's energy use is just as easy as plugging it in and comparing it with the Nighttime Load.
"Even if everything is turned off, there are still appliances that use electricity. For example, things with fans, remote controls or heating units inside them still store electricity even when they are turned off," Mattio said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Andrea Allen
posted 4/13/07 @ 4:57 PM PST
TEDs do not replace current electricity meters, there are merely an educational tool enabling consumers to easily see what they are consuming and take actions to reduce consumption where possible. (Continued…)
Bryan E.
posted 11/25/07 @ 8:58 PM PST
I'm trying to find out the results of the test on T.E.D. Does anyone know who I can contact?
JC
posted 3/19/08 @ 6:50 PM PST
DO NOT purchase one of these if you live in Queens NY, Brooklyn NY. Or anywhere a delta power system is used, it will read half the actual KWH.
A delta system is where you have 120v on each side but only have 208 between the legs. (Continued…)
Robert Dalga
posted 10/21/08 @ 12:43 PM PST
I recently purchased one of these devices and installed it. The unit was working just fine for a week or so but then the blinking green light changed to a blinking red light. (Continued…)
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