Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!umigw!mthvax!wb8foz From: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: Leaving computer equipment on all the time Message-ID: <1990Oct3.215436.27184@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> Date: 3 Oct 90 21:54:36 GMT References: <1084@beguine.UUCP> Reply-To: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher) Distribution: na Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews Abusers Lines: 32 other said: >There is a whole industry that operates by "optimizing" load for office >buildings, taking advantage of the characteristics of the kind of meter >the power company uses. Unless somebody has invented something in the immediate past, these folks are offering peak control. On a large account, you not only get charged per {true} kwh, but if your load has large peaks, you pay a stiff 'peak load charge,' also. You may also be required to have separate metering for such loads. For example, an elevator bank is almost always on a separate meter from the rest of the building. ISTM that "peak" means "lasts longer than 15 minutes" to the utility. So what the 'building management system' does is monitor the power consumption, and automatically shut down such optional loads as air conditioning and freezer vaults for 15 minutes to keep the peak lower. Now, during the 70's, some folks were selling 'power factor correctors" that were going to lower your{s and mine} utility bills, as if by magic. As part of their energy conservation work, NASA-LeRC tested these extensively. The refrigerators, ovens, and other appliances used for these tests can still be found on the Lab, if you know where to look ;_}. The magic boxes can be found on sale at Electronic Surplus Inc, in Cleveland at MUCH lower prices than those asked BEFORE the testing..... -- A host is a host from coast to coast.....wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu & no one will talk to a host that's close............(305) 255-RTFM Unless the host (that isn't close)......................pob 570-335 is busy, hung or dead....................................33257-0335