Comments for Whole House Switch: For Real! at http://www.ecogeek.org , comment 1 to 11 out of 11 comments http://www.ecogeek.org Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:02:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-30233 Funny how this device that is designed to control "phantom loads", is a "phantom load" itself. The RF circuitry inside this switch is constantly running and consuming power. Perhaps the outlets reduce more "phantom power" then the device consumes but the light switches do not. When a light is off it is off and consumes no "Phantom Power". However the Green Switch you just installed to control it does. - Enco Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:38:28 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-26407 "I am pretty sure X10 sells automated in-wall and socket plugs that do the exact same thing as these." Well they want you to think it does. But actually line carrier products while they have been around for a long time are flawed and will always be flawed except for the most simple of functions. "X-10 and Inston both can do this for much less." Don't count on that. With all the noise that our government allows on our A.C. lines the line carrier product requires band aid after band aid to operate and then you pray it will be stable with no call backs. My point of view comes from decades of experience with it and my firm won't touch it or sell line carrier products of any kind due to the call backs and problems that arise from it. The Green Switch is simply another product in a long line of products that are currently on the market from firms like Lutron, WattStopper, Leviton, etc. that control loads via an RF signal. Nothing new here for the most part cept a catchy name and if I were to buy something like this I would be inclined to go with the previous mentioned firms as they are more likely going to be around tomorrow. - Janson Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:05:35 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-22753 This is designed to primarily address the "phantom load," not laziness. Phantom, or vampire, electricity is drawn out of your appliances and electronic devices when they are idle unless you cut it off, like turning off a surge protector will. Unless you unplug devices such as your microwave and printer each night and whenever you are not using them you could easily be spending hundreds of dollars a year to run them on idle. I am currently doing the calculations in my own house with a kilowatt meter to see what will work best to stop this phenomenon. I am also exploring smart strips and other devices designed to address this issue. The wireless outlets post above seems like a good approach because there is more flexibility for the super energy conscious to shut off different systems while still using the house,like the eneterntainment center or kitchen, not just when you leave. The greenswitch on some kind of timer for bed time might also provide more utility. - Ryan Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:58:39 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-22267 Wow, to spend money on something like this when I can turn off the lights, TV etc. all on my own before I walk out the door!! I refuse to be that lazy. If the object is to save money on utilities by spending money for something I do not need. Now that's just plain wasteful. - Dean Cartwright Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:08:58 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5208 X-10 and Inston both can do this for much less. And I have no idea how they could save you that much even with A/C control. I have my thermostat already set to adjust the temperature from 76 to 80 when I am away. But how does the GreenSwitch know when you are going to return. It can take a home time to bring the home back to a comfortable level. - Gordon Niessen Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:52:12 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5136 Ed Begley just had one of these installed in his house on the last episode of Living with Ed on HGTV. It looked like a pretty easy install and worked just as advertised. Even his wife thought it was cool. - HappyCthulhu Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:22:59 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5134 I am pretty sure X10 sells automated in-wall and socket plugs that do the exact same thing as these. I'd like to know where the installer gets their hardware, since the switches I've seen cost somewhere between 10 and 20 dollars. Much more cost effective to DIY. - Ken Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:44:56 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5123 Hank, we've been following your movements via the RFID chip we installed at birth. All we can say is that we're very disappointed in you. *wags finger* ;) - Monotonehell Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:09:42 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5121 I've solved this issue by installing wireless plugs in my outlets connected to the tv/dvd,computer,wireless internet etc. The remote to the system features on/off buttons for each group (ie: coputer internet) or the mighty "all off" button wich I use before leving the house or going to bed. It's not ideal since you miss out most lights but it's cheap and dead easy to install and you can always add on more plugs when needed. - Anders Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:57:40 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5094 They're saying 1 to 2. But that seems like a big fat lie to me. Especially considering that last two years I paid less than $1200 for electricity total. So it would be hard for them to save me $1200 in two years, unless they started paying for all my bills. I'm sure it's more useful for someone with air conditioning...and a larger house. Not that I want to promote larger houses. The easiest (and cheapest) way to save on electricity is live in a smaller house...but I don't think HGTV is a big fan of that message. - Hank Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:47:04 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/958#comment-5093 It would be interesting to see an estimate of how long it takes to pay for itself. A time less than 4 years would see it sell. - weee Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:26:45 +0100