Pyramid of Conservation

The state of Minnesota’s power utility, Minnesota Power, maintains an online guide to improving home energy efficiency—a "Pyramid of Conservation". As a useful construct on its Power of One; One Home site, the Pyramid demonstrates the principles guiding wise energy use and steps one can take, with increasing attentions and investments, to achieve its apex where alternative energy solutions may be put in place.

Of related and local interest, Madison Gas & Electric and Focus on Energy supply guides and tip-sheets for home and workplace energy-saving efforts.

And, should you wish to get started on assessing your own home energy use, be sure to check-out one of the portable energy meters available from Steenbock Library. While there has been considerable demand, please do not hesitate to add your request to the queue by using the "Place Request" feature from the MadCat record.

Portable Energy Meters

Thanks to Madison Gas and Electric, students, staff and faculty can check out "portable energy meters" from Steenbock Library. The model for the two available energy meters is the "Watts Up?" Standard. (These are the same type of meters that are also available from Madison area public libraries). Use the meters to identify the cause, or source, of high-energy use in your home, school or workplace and factor your potential savings by implementing change. Change is often as simple as unplugging your appliances when not in use or shutting off a power strip to which several may be attached.

Madison Gas and Electric supports an energy meter website with a video demonstrating the use of these energy meters.

The meters can be checked out for two weeks at a time, and you can use the "Place Requests" feature in MadCat to have them sent to the campus library of your choice.

The Schwerdtfeger Library (space science and engineering) also has energy meters; these meters are the "Kill a Watt" model.

Of related interest, consult MG&E’s publications (print copies available at Steenbock):

• Energy Saving Tips for Renters

• Appliance Energy Costs

• Public Library Partnership & Greening Our World (in partnership with Madison Public Library and Sustain Dane)
  

Now Available! Portable Energy Meters

Thanks to Madison Gas and Electric, students, staff and faculty can now check out a "portable energy meter" from Steenbock Library. The model for the two available energy meters is the "Watts Up?" Standard. These are the same type of meters that are also available from Madison area public libraries.

Madison Gas and Electric supports an energy meter website with a video demonstrating the use of these energy meters.

The meters can be checked out for two weeks at a time, and you can use "Place Requests" in MadCat to have them sent to the campus library of your choice.

The Schwerdtfeger Library (space science and engineering) also has energy meters; these meters are the Kill a Watt model.