Air Conditioning Energy Saver Switch

15 years ago

I'm getting killed on my electric bills at my office. The 220V AC units are always being left on. Is their a device that I can install with a key that will stay locked in the cylinder in the on position (to activate the AC) and release in the off position. It will be the same key for the front door so that when people leave for the day, they will have to remove the key - AC goes off - in order to lock the front door???

Any help/ideas greatly appreciated

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

steve_fl
15 years ago
Might be able to use one of these, hooked to a relay , if you want to shut the unit completely off

Here is a link that might be useful: Keyswitches
billhart
15 years ago
You probably can find that kind of switch from an industrial distributer, but you won't find one that takes the same key blank as the front door. Maybe you could put the two keys on a ring that is welded shut.
Related Discussions
Quote for Heating and Air Conditioning-Good deal?
Q
Comments (11)
Baldloonie- I think it's just to run ducts out to back room which is only electric heat. The room is right off the room with the furnace. Ryanhughes- The 10,000 rebate is part of the NJ Clean Energy Program. It's a rebate a lot of people aren't familiar with but it's great. It's actually a reimbursement for saving energy for buying new higher energy efficiency products. You can be reimbursed for 50% of the cost of the work up to $10,000 plus have an opportunity to finance the balance at a 0% interest rate for up to 10 years if you reach certain efficiency requirements. There's specifics such as you obviously must meet certain efficiency levels, can only use contractors certified in this program, must have an energy audit done, etc. Check these 2 sites out: Explains the efficiency requirements for loan (This site also shows programs for some other states but I know nothing about those) www.energyfinancesolutions.com Explains the steps to get the maximum rebate of 10,000 http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/home-performance-energy-star/benefits-and-incentives
...See More
Questions for 'water savers'
Q
Comments (17)
ilene is right about city codes and grey water and black water use. I use water from rain barrels for the vegetable garden, never grey water. Laundry rinse water (unless you ply it with softeners, and even vinegar can cause an acidic condition to your soil) is a low-risk grey water source. Water from dishes is high-risk. You're also supposed to keep grey water within your property bounderies. Grey water should only be stored for 24-hours or less, due to microbes. You should also filter your grey water to reduce solids. Reduce health risks- Suggestions include: -DonÂt use grey water on vegetable gardens. -DonÂt use grey water if any member of your family is suffering from gastroenteritis. -DonÂt irrigate your garden with grey water in wet weather, or if the soil is already sodden. -DonÂt allow grey water to form pools or ponds in your garden. The microbes will thrive, creating an offensive stink and a health hazard. -DonÂt allow your pets to drink grey water. -Take all steps to reduce public access to areas irrigated with grey water. -Keep children away from garden areas irrigated with grey water. -Make sure your swimming pool and any other water features, like ponds and birdbaths, are safe from grey water runoff. -Encourage all the family to wash their hands before eating. Improving the quality of your grey water -You can improve the quality of your grey water by monitoring how your water is used in the first place. Suggestions include: -Grey water that can be reused straight away without the need for pre-treatment includes grey water from the shower, bath and laundry rinse cycle. -Choose phosphate-free or low-phosphate household cleaners and detergents. -Install a lint filter in your washing machine. -DonÂt urinate in the shower or bath. -Grainlady
...See More
Reading an article on air conditioning ..
Q
Comments (37)
DOE Cool Roofs Thanks for that info. I enjoyed reading it and would absolutely investigate the topic further. However, I am somewhat doubtful that the difference between a black roof and a cool roof could be 50 degrees. It just doesn't seem realistic; I mean, if I wear a white shirt vs. a black shirt on a hot-hot day -- yes -- the color will make a difference, but not so much as this. I'm also wary about the comment at the end that such roofs in warm, moist areas can grow mold -- I do live in a warm, moist climate. Definitely a topic for further investigation. The question becomes, how did you determine it was only a degree or two? Science often uses actual measurements or experiments to measure differences which it then models to predict change or impact. I guessed. I'm trying to learn something here, and I am looking for a starting point. I'm trying to understand what's realistic. I genuinely don't know whether 2 degrees is realistic, but -- as I said above -- I am skeptical about the 50 degrees in the previous article. So rather than guess maybe try this ... https://web.ornl.gov/sci/buildings/tools/cool-roof/ I tried to go through this cool roof calculator, but I just don't know these details, so I put in what the calculator says is "average" for my area ... and the net savings for a house the size of mine in my area with average numbers is $68.60/year. That's interesting, but I was really more interested in the original question about air conditioning /now cool roofs. After reading the two sites, one thing that seems crystal clear is that black roofs are "the worst" in terms of environmental impact and cost. Yet I think they are the most common. That, in and of itself, is interesting. We had an off-white roof when we moved into our last house. It was in awful shape, and we had to replace it almost immediately. I was glad of it because it was terribly stained. I wonder if all white roofs do this age they age?
...See More
Central Air Conditioning versus.....?
Q
Comments (5)
Assuming your priorities are economical cost for initial installation and low energy consumption, my thoughts are. Your ducts are probably metal,consider keeping them because 60 year old metal duct will usually still be in excellent condition,transfers air more efficiently than modern flex-duct and will still be working when flex has deteriorated and falling apart. If heater is from 1963 it would be wise to replace it at same time as adding cooling. You don't need to replace duct to qualify for rebate incentives,just make sure insulation is intact and reinsulate as needed. To answer your question(s) about closing vents in rooms not in use, there's multi-speed,multi-zone systems that do it automaticlly "IF THE INSTALLER UNDERSTANDS HOW TO INSTALL THEM" otherwise the system will be ineffecient,require repeat service calls and unending pita.. Closing vents on conventional system can work but there's another solution you might like better. Electrically controlled dampers can be installed near air handler and operated by wall switches and/or timer. If choosing to manipulate airflow of conventional system don't oversize equipment because that can sometimes cause poor humidity control. If retaining old ducts it might be neccessary to add another duct to bedroom wing and another to living wing so that equipment can breath. Regardless of type equipment installed , if installer isn't compitent, honest and willing to work with you it's a losing game. .
...See More
randy427
15 years ago
Timers are more readily available.
wayne440
15 years ago
There is an effective non-electrical solution, assuming that you are either the business owner or supervisor. The next time that you come in and find the A/C left on shut it off for the entire following workday. You will probably not have to do this more than twice for the message to get across.

If you still want a switched solution, a 7 day timer might work well to limit A/C use to specific hours only. Put it in a secure enclosure or it will be quickly defeated by rebellious employees.
fotostat
15 years ago
wayne440 has the right idea.

Or, to go even further, sit down your employees and explain how if they can't do such a simple task that is part of their job, they will have to find a new job.

Your idea of using a front door key that has to be removed by shutting off the AC is smart, but it seems more like a Bandaid. What you need is competent employees.
pharkus
15 years ago
Just an odd memory from my past that this thread brought up. I was like 14 and put an alarm in my garage. I didn't have an actual keyswitch so I made one using a deadbolt and a microswitch I scavenged out of a microwave oven. When you locked the deadbolt, its ... well, "bolt", pressed the microswitch and armed the alarm. Voila, electrical keyswitch using the "front door" key - a LOT more secure than the snowmobile ignition keyswitch it replaced, since this certain snowmobile manufacturer only makes five different keys, which can be ordered by telephone no-questions-asked. :)

low-voltage and relays, anyone? :)
solarpowered
15 years ago
I don't know what kind of dollars we're talking about here, but the "conventional" solution to this problem is to install a Building Management System that uses occupancy sensors, clocks, and a calendar to control both the HVAC and the lighting to minimize energy use.
billhart
15 years ago
Also consider other ways to economize. Night-time operation may be the smaller part of your electric bill. Is there any place insulation should be improved? Is there adequate air circulation? People can be comfortable with the air several degrees warmer if it is moving.
steve_fl
15 years ago
Billhart-
The keyswitch detailed above uses any standard mortise cylinder, as is listed in the data sheets-
"MK series
Cylinder: Accepts any U.S> 1-1/8" or 1-1/4"
mortise cylinder with any cam."
We use them all the time and have them keyed to a building key.
dezwit
15 years ago
You could simply install a timeclock to break the thermostat wire that controls the cooling.
Set it to shutoff at quitting time and turn it back on 1/2 hour before the office opens.
If you use a seven day timeclock, it could be set so that the AC doesn't run on the weekends or for a minimal amount of time.

Air Conditioning Energy Saver Switch

Comments (10)

steve_fl

billhart

Related Discussions

randy427

wayne440

fotostat

pharkus

solarpowered

billhart

steve_fl

dezwit

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US