ElectroLess “Less is more”

An epidemic of waste has spread throughout homes across America. The average American lives in a home with both inefficient appliances and house features. There are many new appliances that have been developed to reduce electricity use. What has prevented the average house owner from owning and investing in these eclectically efficient technologies? Initial cost and lack of knowledge have prevented home owners from making “energy star” choices.

Tim, the average home owner is skeptical of making his home more energy efficient. Tim Where do I start? How will I be able to afford these appliances? What appliances are right for my home?

One of the college students came to the realization that his home was extremely energy inefficient. From vampire energy, to inefficient insulation, his home was just not prepared to help the environment. Soon enough he looked into the cost of making his house more energy-efficient, but it was too expensive and he was uniformed of where to even begin. Later that day he told his other two intelligent good-looking college friends about his problem only to find that they also had the same problems. Immediately, an idea sparked in their heads: If food and other household supplies are cheaper when bought in bulk, then why not energy- efficient technologies? As a result, the three students began ElectroLess. Three college students set out to address Tim’s questions

“ElectroLess is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping average homeowners use energy resources more efficiently through reducing cost of energy conservation and education. ElectroLess will facilitate bulk buying of efficient technology, circulate a bi-monthly efficiency publication and provide home energy audits.” ElectroLess Mission Statement

ElectoLess will make energy efficient technologies more affordable to the average home owner by networking large purchases of appliances. Since purchases are bought in bulk, cheap prices will be passed on to ElectroLess customers. ElectroLess Warehouse Orders are placed over the phone or online. ElectroLess compiles orders and buys appliances in bulk. Appliances are kept in a warehouse. Appliances are distributed to customers.

Some Products that can reduce energy consumption: An Energy Star qualified television uses 40% less energy than a standard television (Energy Star). Plasma televisions are large consumers of energy. On average plasma televisions consume 441 kWh of electricity per year (Home Electronics, 2010). Switching to an Energy star television would save kWh per year. Wireless routers are becoming more and more common in middle class households. These devices on average use up to 48 kWh of electricity per year (Energy Star). This is not a significant amount of energy, but small improvements over a large customer base can have a huge impact on energy savings. These energy efficient routers run on 41% less energy (Justin, 2008). Switching to an efficient router would save 20 kWh of energy per unit. Most middle class Americans own washing machines. Due to their high prices these machines have become large investments. Washing machines also consume large amounts of electricity. A washing machine that is not Energy Star will consume 1,030 kWh of energy per year (FEMP Designated Product: Clothes Washers). An energy star washing machine will run on 30% less energy and use 50% less water (Energy Star). Switching to an Energy Star washer would save 309 kWh of energy a year. Along with washing clothes, comes the task of drying them. There is no Energy Star program for dryers. Recent technology has not supplied us with a way to reduce the energy consumption of drying clothes. The most efficient way to dry clothes has been using a clothesline. ElectroLess would be an advocate of this method of drying clothes. This would be a large change for some middle class Americans, but would result in large energy savings. The average dryer uses 875 kWh of electricity per year (Scientists, 2007). Switching to a clothes line would save 875 kWh of electricity a year. Dishwashers are another common household appliance that consumes electricity. The least efficient dishwashers use 573 kWh of electricity a year. The most efficient models on the market can operate only using 204 kWh of electricity per year. This is a savings of 369 kWh of electricity per year (Dishwashers). ElectoLess would also encourage customers in climate permitting regions to invest in solar panels. Most solar panels can convert 10% of the sun’s energy into electricity. Electricity would vary greatly from customer to customer due to climate and number of panels used. A 1 kW panel can produce 1300 kWh of electricity a year (What's the Payback?, 2004).

 Will feature new electrically efficient appliances for the home  Contains articles on national and community efforts to reduce energy consumption  Tips and suggestions on how to change lifestyles to increase electrical efficiency  Magazines will be free. Advertising spaces in magazine will provide sufficient funds to create and distribute magazine. Other services provided by ElectoLess: Bimonthly Magazine

 Free assessments will be given to home owners to target areas where energy consumption can be reduced. (House insulation, window treatments, green appliances, etc.) Free Energy Audits

 ElectroLess will branch out into the local community and sponsor conferences that display new green technologies. Homeowners will be capable of viewing demonstrations of new appliances.  ElectroLess will send out representatives to local high schools to increase awareness of energy conservation. Technology Conferences and High School Awareness.

 ElectroLess will mostly be self-sustaining.  Funds will be raised through magazine advertisements.  Fundraisers would be held to initially get the project started. Large companies would be encouraged to donate.  Volunteer fairs would be held to recruit future employees. Training Programs would be set up where needed. How ElectroLess Will Be Funded