Factor e Farm Energy Use Policy

Introduction

We live off-grid for electrity and water, while we are connected to the internet through DSL. We have 1,400w of solar panels installed, which translates to 350w of average continuous power (about enough to run 4 laptops of 90w each continuously). Because we also run lights, a refrigerator, and shop tools - this means that we end up using a gasoline generator. The more power we use, the longer the generator has to run.

For example:

• If someone uses their laptop to play music - that costs us $1 per 20 hours of and $15 per month of that person is listening 10 hours per day. Imagine if 10 people were to do that - we have just blown $1800 per year.

Point is, when not careful, we can end up wasting lots of money on energy. Our current solution is getting the pelletized-biomass-fueled modern steam engine up and running, so we generate power from local biomass. Moreover, we are aiming at energy abundance by installing the solar concentrator electric power generator.

Until then, here is the Factor e Farm Energy Use Policy.

FeF Energy Use Policy

• No desktop computers are allowed because of their energy requirements. Laptops only are allowed - and preferably - netbooks if possible. The average laptop eats 65 watts when in use - [1]
• Second screens are not allowed on laptops.
• No laptops shall be used for playing music only - but you are allowed to use low energy devices - such as MP3 players or smartphones - which use about 100x less power.
• Whenever a computer is not in use, it must be put into sleep mode, and if not in use for more than 1 hour, it should be shut off completely. Sleep mode still uses 1-2W of power.
• Use only the workshop lights that you need. Turn on the lights only in the bays that you are working, not in the entire workshop.
• Turn lights off when they are not in use.
• No electric coffee pots are allowed.
• No electric space heaters are allowed.
• Electric clothes driers are not allowed.