Looking for beta testers for our energy saving application! Join us!

[danceembrace]

Hi Everyone!

I'm a long time reader, first time poster. MMM opened my eyes to a new kind of life a few years back. Now my husband and I live in semi-retirement (we both work part time from home, a total of 15-20 hours a week for the both of us) so we can maximize our time with our wonderful 2 year old. We have a decent 'stache and continue to grow it.

I have a favor to ask and I want to make sure it is kosher for the forum before I post any links, etc. I'm working with a group at Stanford and we are developing a website to help people take simple steps to reduce their energy use. This is completely a not-for-profit project. The average mustachian will have probably already done most of the suggestions on the site, so our target audience is really families who are new to energy efficiency (like newbies to the MMM site) who need a little help knowing what to do and where to start. Topics include changing light bulbs, cutting the (cable TV) cord, effectively using shading and insulation, etc. For each topic, we give a few suggestions on what to do and detailed steps on how to do them.

We'd love to get a small group of people who are willing to give us some good feedback and work with us to make this a simple, easy to use website. I thought the MMM audience would be a great place to start since a lot of us are interested in energy efficiency and helping others on their path to badassity. if you are willing to help use out or know someone who might be, we'd love your help!

Is it ok for me to post the link here? If not, anyone who is interested please contact me directly.

Thanks!
Emily

[swick]

MOD NOTE: Welcome to the forums, danceembrace!

I don't see a problem with you posting some links to your project - just keep it to this one thread (and a link in your sig, if you would like) Good luck, the project sounds interesting!

[Dexterous]

Emily, I'm interested in energy efficiency and beta test a lot of apps/games... so I think I'll be a good fit for helping your project.  I'll be curious to see how it compares to http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver.

[libertarian4321]

Hi Everyone!

I'm a long time reader, first time poster. MMM opened my eyes to a new kind of life a few years back. Now my husband and I live in semi-retirement (we both work part time from home, a total of 15-20 hours a week for the both of us) so we can maximize our time with our wonderful 2 year old. We have a decent 'stache and continue to grow it.

I have a favor to ask and I want to make sure it is kosher for the forum before I post any links, etc. I'm working with a group at Stanford and we are developing a website to help people take simple steps to reduce their energy use. This is completely a not-for-profit project. The average mustachian will have probably already done most of the suggestions on the site, so our target audience is really families who are new to energy efficiency (like newbies to the MMM site) who need a little help knowing what to do and where to start. Topics include changing light bulbs, cutting the (cable TV) cord, effectively using shading and insulation, etc. For each topic, we give a few suggestions on what to do and detailed steps on how to do them.

We'd love to get a small group of people who are willing to give us some good feedback and work with us to make this a simple, easy to use website. I thought the MMM audience would be a great place to start since a lot of us are interested in energy efficiency and helping others on their path to badassity. if you are willing to help use out or know someone who might be, we'd love your help!

Is it ok for me to post the link here? If not, anyone who is interested please contact me directly.

Thanks!
Emily

Sure, I'll help.

What's in it for me?

[tonysemail]

I will help too. 

I currently use pge.com and myenergy.com to look at my energy usage.

[zephyr911]

I'm interested. Tools for monitoring and reducing usage are few and far between in my area.

[forummm]

I'm interested.

[Dicey]

I'm interested and live in the Bay Area. We have too many redwood trees to go solar, so other possibilities are most intriguing. Do you want us to PM you?

[danceembrace]

Thank you all for your offers to help! Turns out we've had a bit of a delay...I'll post here and PM each of you when we are ready. Thanks again!

Dexterous - I love the energy savers site!

[Another Reader]

My house is oriented east-west, with most of the glass facing west.  I'm interested in awnings, shading and sunscreens.  Sunscreens are used a lot in Phoenix, but you don't find them in the Bay Area.  Also interested in upgrading the 1988/89 insulation in the ceiling and crawl space plus insulating the garage.  We have already switched out the light bulbs, only run full loads of dishes and laundry, heat the water to medium instead of high, insulated the wall outlets, use the slow cooker and microwave whenever possible, and use some solar outdoor lights in place of wired lights.

[MarcherLady]

I'm in the UK, but I'm a software tester, I'd be interested to get involved.

[teen persuasion]

I'm interested.

You mention "energy" but your descriptions sound like electricity, mostly.  Our electric bills are pretty low (mostly base fees and taxes), and in our climate cooling is less of an issue than winter heating.  Oil and propane expenses are by far a much larger concern for us.  Will all energy usage be included?

[danceembrace]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your patience! If you are interested in participating in our beta test, please sign up here: howpower.org

[danceembrace]

I'll be curious to see how it compares to http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver.

Dexterous - We are targeting a slightly different audience but a lot of the content will be similar.

I currently use pge.com and myenergy.com to look at my energy usage.

Tonysemail - Thank you! Our app connects to your PG&E data too.

You mention "energy" but your descriptions sound like electricity, mostly.  Our electric bills are pretty low (mostly base fees and taxes), and in our climate cooling is less of an issue than winter heating.  Oil and propane expenses are by far a much larger concern for us.  Will all energy usage be included?

Yes, we are addressing all energy use, not just electricity.

[mlejw6]

We are renters. Can we be beta testers? Since we don't own our place, we would be limited to what types of things we can do to limit energy usage.

[Another Reader]

The site says a group of Stanford researchers, but you are in Pennsylvania.  What gives?

[winterbike]

I'm interested!

[danceembrace]

We are renters. Can we be beta testers? Since we don't own our place, we would be limited to what types of things we can do to limit energy usage.

Yes, you can participate if you are renters. In fact, your perspective will be very helpful. Some strategies may not work for you but many are designed to be low-cost and easy to do regardless of your situation.

The site says a group of Stanford researchers, but you are in Pennsylvania.  What gives?

Good catch! Our project is run through Stanford University by University staff, but a few of us on the team are (remote) contract workers. If it helps, I have a PhD in engineering and have been working in conservation/energy efficiency field for over 13 years, despite living in PA. :)

[Another Reader]

The response from the site is that I will receive an invitation as soon as it becomes available.  Is this what we should receive?  Thanks.

[Rosy]

I'm interested - at present the site is only set up as a sign up sheet - so I signed up:) I'm in Florida and wondering about crawlspace insulation - we have a flat roof. Also wondering how energy efficient our new metal roof really is. I've heard you can request an energy audit from the power company, but never followed up on that - I think I will now.

Cut your energy use in half!

Thanks for signing up! We'll send you an invitation as soon as it becomes available.