Let's take a closer look at the Green Button and see if it is more than just a toy for adults. According to Obama and other supporters of the government, the Green button is going viral. Ya, right, I can not believe it.
It has to get several efforts in recent years to the power company to see "sign on" programs that electric and gas customers how much energy it then and there to make with it. The theory is that households will have the energy usage data easily available to use this information in order to save energy.
Also had a search engine would join a program that energy companies and provide real-time energy consumption and tried to force companies to register. Power companies were slow to accept the program and canceled the search engine the program back in 2011.
Now, with the help of former White House CTO (Chief Technology Office) Aneesh Chopra, the Green Button tries to standardize the technology for real-time reporting energy consumption at the power company customers. This means a program in the U.S. with the same technology.
So far, the Green Button program has signed up some big power companies. Most of the businesses in California are on board and now American Electric Power, Austin Energy, Baltimore Gas and Electric, CenterPoint Energy, Commonwealth Edison, NSTAR, PECO, Reliant and Dominion Virginia Power. With a total service area of over 27 million households, the Green Button always a good introduction.
With the common technical platform Third entrepreneurs are encouraged to develop innovative applications, as if the button was a cell phone or iPod.
What does all this mean for the average consumer?
1 It means that you have a smart meter first. No smart meters, no green button.
2 It means that if your company provides enough electrical power to the Green button for them, they can go and sign up.
3 It means that if your electric company registers, they can be able to offer the Green Button program.
4 It means that, when you apply for the program, you will be able to get, in real-time energy consumption data on your computer or other connected device, iPod, smartphone, etc.
5 It also means that as time passes, applications are available from third-party providers, and you will be encouraged by companies to their app purchase. Well, that sure sounds like a smartphone.
6 It also means that you compare electric companies, tariffs and time-of-use data more efficiently. There is perhaps a better performance company for you.
Could Spread Nationwide
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has passed a law that he gets written e-knowledge. (Electrical consumers right to know act) This legislation would require that all electric providers to make electrical data, their customers. Markey said,
Be "But energy information should not be something that only a small part of American households have access. All Americans should have the right to their energy access data so that they can better reduce energy waste and shrink their bills.'s Why I will soon the introduction of legislation that would require that all power companies to would this information to their customers. "
Green Button Energy Saving and Contest
The green button is developed through third-party applications, the Energy Department is sponsoring a contest encouraged. The contest started in April and offers $ 100,000 prize money for the winner. If you had an app Green Button that linking your iPhone with your tumble dryer and you could set the dryer to run when electricity was the cheapest, that would really be an app that could reduce an electric bill.
How does Green Button Energy Savings for you and me to work?
So if the green key program is available to you, and you have registered with your power company to participate in the program, you can log into your electric account with your energy supplier and it will actually be a green button on the screen. Click on the green button and the computer will give you the pages that display your energy consumption are right at this time of day.
You'll be able to use the current to other days and at other times during the day to compare.
Now you have some decisions to make, for example.
1 If the thermostat a few degrees, as it seems, the air conditioner with a lot of power right now?
2 If you call home and ask the children why the electric oven for 20 minutes has?
3 Should focus on saving force from 17.00 bis 08.00 clock you really because are your highest usage times that cost most per kilowatt hour?
4 If you install the heat pump you've always wanted, because every time the electric furnace kicks on the use goes through the roof?
5 After watching the oven, should on and off 40 times a day do you think about air sealing the attic and adding insulation?
It's true, I think that the Green Button program offer the opportunity do to save power. It may well be that knowledge is power and in this case the knowledge provides real-time power consumption to save the power energy.
Of course, the success of the Green Button will depend on how much the key is actually used. If there is a situation like so many others, that the novelty wears off and the excitement of being in a hurry. How many hot tubs were installed only a few times and then drained for the winter and never replenished.
How many water beds were prepared and enjoyed as the best thing to wallow in the beds each, and then after a year and two were later drained and water damage in the garage.
I think the green button on your power company website will go the way of the waterbed and Jacuzzi - a good idea, exciting and useful not commonplace for a while, but useful advantage.
The applications for the Green Button program, iPhones, iPods, and will include inflamed, is another story. The benefits of being on the go and monitor and adjust the energy efficiency of your home is more than a toy for adults and more than a flash in the pan.
Have you installed a Smart Meter at your home? If you do, call your power company and ask them where is the Green Button. Once you can sign up for the green key program and then wait for the app that will change your idea of home energy forever.
Thank you for your visit, hope it's a green button in your future, but I will not leave the lights on for you ......
