The kWh consumption is easy to figure out (Amps x Volts = Watts and remember 1000 watts = 1 kWh), but the cost can range from as cheap as $0.115 or as expensive as $0.410 per kWh depending on your overall home energy consumption and were you fall in PG&E’s 5 tier pricing schedule. Some Bakersfield residents, running a single speed pump, pay more than $350 per month for their swimming pool pump electricity while others frugally only pay $48 per month. I pay $11 per month.

A standard single speed 2hp pool pump motor running 6 hours a day drawing 19.4 amps at 120 volts will consume about 14 kWh. Here’s the math: 19.4 x 120 = 2328 watts. 6 hours x 2328 = 13,968 watts. Convert watts to kWh by dividing total watts by 1000 for a total of 13.96 kWh per day or 418 kWh per month. In the event you operate your pump 12 hours a day and your energy consumption is high enough to enter PG&E’s fifth tier, your cost could be near $342 per month. (Click Read More to Continue)

The Pentair Intelliflo variable frequency pool pump motor I installed at my home runs 20 hours a day and consumes 120 watts an hour for a total of 2.4 kWh a day or 72 kWh per month. My old single speed pump would consume 72 kWh in 5 days! The Intelliflo is an eco smart pool pump that knows the status of your filter and when it requires back washing. This unit is smart and realizes when there is blockage or priming issues and will take corrective actions to ensure optimal performance. The pump has four different modes; filter, vacuum, back wash and manual. Water features can be programmed as well. Here is a link for more info: http://www.pentairpool.com/intelliflo/pdf/IntelliFlo.pdf

With a price tag of $1400, the Pentair Variable frequency pool pump is not cheap, but in most cases will pay for itself in under a year. Over a five year period, you could see a $7000 savings on your electric bill vs. the old single speed model.

-Jeff Williams
www.greenerbakersfield.com

Green Bakersfield
Eco Bakersfield

Since my home was upgraded with a SmartMeter, I monitor my energy usage online. I use the PG&E website as a tool to understand my kWh draw and as a feedback source after changing appliances or usage habits. There was a time in the past when I took multiple daily reading from my old PG&E dial meter to determine usage, but now I can log into my account and determine my usage from anywhere in the world.

As you can see below, the Smart Meter usage information is compiled on a daily basis and can be graphed in monthly, weekly or daily scenarios for both gas and electric. As an added bonus your kWh usage can be graphed hourly. (Click Read More to Continue)

PG&E’s website is user friendly and has a wealth of information on reducing energy consumption as well as rebates for energy saving appliances. Are you ready to get started? If you have a PG&E SmartMeter installed, log onto PG&E’s website and establish an online account. You may have to start paperless billing, but that is good for the environment too.

Jeff Williams
www.greenerbakersfield.com

The concept of the WHF is basic.  Fresh air is drawn from outside through open windows (usually at night) and is blown directly into the attic causing the hot air in your attic to vent outside. This brings down the heat load of the entire house and allows the house to stay cooler during the day.  This means you don’t have to run your AC as much to cool your house down to a comfortable level.  I’ve also used it to warm my house on those days when it is warmer outside than in.  I usually turn mine on at 2 or 3 in the morning.  I’ll get up, go to the bathroom (you probably didn’t need to know that) and check my remote thermometer outside.  More nights than not the temp outside is as cool or cooler than the inside of my house (I set my thermostat at 78), so I crack a couple of windows in my bedroom and turn it on.  Almost immediately I can feel the fan drawing cool air into the house.  I don’t know about you, but I sleep better breathing fresh air rather than recycled.

AirScape http://www.airscapefans.com has three models of fans depending on the square footage of your home. I have the smallest model.  On high it draws 70 watts at 1000 cfm, a lot less than an air conditioner (they average about 3kw an hour).  It was a very simple installation.  It fits into both 16” and 24″ stud bays.  The most technical part of the installation would be installing an outlet for the fan; it has a 6′ cord.  I’m an electrician, so that was not an obstacle for me. The unit is remote controlled, has a 3 yr warranty, and qualifies for a PG&E rebate.  This is just one step in lightening the load on your pocket book and mother earth’s shoulders.

-Tim Douhan

Greener Bakersfield Contributor

Six different flavors still available as of Friday the 6th of February:

ULA Mini Dimmable 23 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (2 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 9 Watt Vanity – replaces 40 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 7 Watt tradition bulb style – replaces 40 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 23 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
General Electric 15 Watt – replaces 60 Watt incandescent bulbs (3 bulbs per pack)
General Electric 26 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (3 bulbs per Pack)

I have also heard from fellow energy saver Jeff that you can find these great deals at various grocery stores every blue moon. Keep your eyes open. I will continue to post when I see the CFL rebates at different stores across Bakersfield. Perhaps we need a CFL rebate alert? At this point I’m buying them just to give out to friends and family. What a great gift!

–Kynan Chambers
www.greenerbakersfield.com
www.greenbakersfield.com