On Nov 16, 5:49*pm, Windswept@Home (Jack) wrote:
In August 2008, the guy who sold me a home generator talked us into
getting an energy controller. *He claimed that it has cut his kwh by
25%. * Here's what the manufacturer says: 8-10% realized in monthly
savings; investment return (36 months or less); reduced energy demand;
decreased heat dissipation (extends life of appliances); amperage
surge protection for all your home equipment.

$600 installed.

Comparing Oct. 2008 with October 2007:

3% *more* kwh were used in 10/08 even though the counting period was
two days less. *The only lifestyle change in 2008 was upgrade from
dial-up to DSL modem. *The outside temperature was one degree
Farenheit colder in 10/08 when compared with 10/07.

As you can see, not a good experience. *Would like to read your
experiences.

Are you in the UK, where in some areas, as I understand, they have
cheaper electricity rates late at night when the load on the system
diminishes. In that case it might make sense to wash and dry your
clothes at 2.00 AM etc.

However in most places including here (Eastern Canada) I gather the
cost of residential electrcity, per kilowatt hour, is the same no
matter when one uses it.

So apart from a monthly fee for our account with our electric utility
and sales tax on the total monthly bill to the government, our cost
for energy used is the same for each unit. There is no magic that can
reduce the amount of electricity used; except switching things off, or
otherwise reducing consumption. Rather like driving less to save
gasoline!