Energy X-Prize: Reduce Home Energy Usage

It is a great idea. I can see your point here that by motivating people to reduce consumption, we can conserve energy. But I feel that it is a challenging task in itself. A small observation: CFLs have been in market for such a long time, but still we don't see them in regular home use.

Good luck with the prize! I voted for this idea.

I like your idea the most because I think it's the most practical. The others are wishing for magic. However, in order to make your idea workable, you need to work out

-The specifics of how different communities are judged in their energy gain. Will you be measuring energy savings per capita? What designates "a community"? Etc.

-The prize incentives must be well planned out (ie. managing expectations). You may also want to consider having many prize tiers.

(more ideas, but char. count limit).

Thanks vecter, those are definitely key considerations.

This video presented our concept midway through its development and we're currently finishing up the details and addressing the two concerns you listed in your comment. I'd like to hear you other ideas, though, so please PM me with your other thoughts.

What? Lowering the thermostat in the winter and rising it in the summer? How does raising it in the summer help at all?

Raising your thermostat temperature by just two degrees when it is warm outside greatly reduces the amount of energy required to cool your home. Air conditioning uses a tremendous amount of electricity and even using it slightly less saves a significant amount of energy.

Ok, but then you should of mentioned "raising your air conditioner in the summer".
I live en Europe and having air-con is not a common thing to have in the home. So it sounded strange.

This is by far the best of the three finalists. Please VOTE FOR IT!

I agree people should reduce their consumption, but it's not truly a valid long-term option. Creative, but not really viable over the long run (people get bored easy, and will return to their excessive ways).

Hi BSR, thanks for the comment

We disagree, however, and believe that reducing consumption is the only viable long-term option. Given target rates for population and economic growth throughout the world, consumption will have go down for the world population to sustain itself.

New technologies take years to develop but reducing consumption can have an immediate effect. If organized and implemented correctly, reduced consumption will not require any change in lifestyle and can be permanent.

Thanks, Velkoze, we appreciate the support!