[LINK] Monitoring power consumption of individual appliances

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Ben and Tom write,

> We won't be paying a flat tariff for electricity for too much longer.
> When we are paying time of use tariffs, knowing when and how to shift
> some discretionary loads will be valuable.

Here in Victoria we do not and have never paid a flat-tariff for power.

Here we've an off-peak rate (afaik midnight to 5am) for properly wired
and seperate circuit/fuse/metered hot water & heat bank appliances. It
is not a big tarrif-rate reduction. I very much doubt it significantly
improves Vic carbon emissions, as, it's the *same method of generation*. 
 

> > The simplest and most effective way to reduce appliance energy
> > consumption is with minimum mandatory energy efficiency
> > requirements.  Australia has an energy rating scheme for appliances,
> > but it is not the number of stars which an appliance has which
> > achieves most of the savings, it is that there is a minimum
> > efficiency, below which the appliance is banned. The stars are just
> > a marketing gimmick.
>
> surprised to learn that *the* single most cost effective migitation
> measure the government has used to date is the Miniumum Energy
> Performance Standards.  .. direct action. :-)


Agreed. And I also think that 'Miniumum Energy Performance Standards'
for home and business appliances (and for vehicles, as in California)
might be legislated promptly. Surely this isn't legal rocket-science?

Cheers,
Stephen