A Small Step

The most widely used aftermarket device is the VendingMiser, a passive infrared sensor that determines the vending environment is vacant, then powers down the machine to save energy when no one is in the area. The product is currently sold by Malvern, Pa.-based USA Technologies Inc.

Many government accounts have mandated VendingMisers, and utility companies have provided rebates to customers and vending operators for installing them. In 2003, more than 20 utility companies offered VendingMiser rebates nationwide.

USA Technologies Inc. announced that it has begun shipping several thousand VendingMiser devices, including an order for 1,000 placed by the Orange County School District in Florida, the 12th-largest public school district in the United States.

The devices help schools reduce the consumption of power in campus vending machines by as much as half, resulting in substantial annual savings. They can also lower energy use in computer terminals, appliances and plug loads.

Other school districts and colleges installing the devices include Manatee School District in Florida; Ferris State University, Romeo School District and Henry Ford Community College in Michigan; Eastern Iowa Community College, Iowa Central Community College and Monticello School District in Iowa; Blue River Community College, Kan.; and Minot School District and Bismarck School District, N.D.

Did you know that a refrigerated vending machine uses four times as much energy as a non-refrigerated vending machine?  Well, there is a way to get old vending machines to perform as well as new ENERGY STAR-qualified machines- VendingMiser.

Simply install the infrared sensor and plug the old vending machine into the VendingMiser instead of directly into the wall, and the sensor will turn off the machine fifteen minutes after usage.  It even increases the lifespan of the vending machine.  This same company makes Misers for non-refrigerated snack machines and sliding-door coolers and regular plugs for those who’d like to save energy even on a smaller scale, because every little bit counts!

Hotel Energy Conservation Program     

• Every property should identify one person to drive the hotel energy conservation and efficiency program.
• Use a per occupied room (POR) approach to energy conservation: Set goals and post and communicate results.
• Monitor, record and post rates of hotel energy and water use. Make repairs or replace equipment when rate changes indicate problems.
• Use an energy management system (EMS) to tie in air handling units, HVAC, and lighting to prevent conditioning space when it is not necessary.
• Create an incentive program to encourage your staff to participate in and improve upon environmentally-friendly practices.

Reduce Other Hotel Energy Costs    

• Place tent cards and decals in guest rooms to offer specific energy efficiency suggestions for guests.
• Use low-energy sleep functions on computers, printers, and copiers.
• Choose ENERGY STAR office equipment and appliances.
• Install Vending Miser on vending machines.

A student group focused on ecological responsibility; campaigns include Tampaction (which aims to eradicate the use of unhealthy, unsustainable tampons and pads); Campus Climate Challenge; Focus the Nation (examining global warming solutions); Go Cold Turkey (encouraging students to unplug all appliances while away on breaks); Million Monitor Drive; and the Farm Initiative (developing and supporting a sustainable food system on campus).

Selected Results of Eco-Initiatives at MHC

• • A “Vending Miser,” a motion sensor and control box that shuts the machine down when nobody is near, was installed on 26 MHC soda machines in 2006. That reduced energy by 35 percent and saved 27 tons of carbon dioxide. Read more.
• • Switching the type of lighting in Kendall Hall (the gym) reduced energy by half yet increased the brightness by 135 percent. Read more.
• • $53,000 is saved every year by the energy-recovery loop installed in the science building. It reclaims heating and cooling energy from the building exhaust. Read more.
• • Changing 1,000 lightbulbs on campus from incandescents to compact fluorescents saved $20,000 (and 65 tons of carbon offsets each year.) Read more.

Energy Efficiency Plus Program

SBESC's EE+ program brings measurable energy and dollar savings to local governments and businesses through innovative approaches, such as joint procurement, as well as the Energy Leader Program for Public Agencies that assists municipalities.

VendingMiser works with refrigerated vending machines.  It will power-down the machine with no foot traffic in front of the machine for 15 minutes.  If someone walks by, the motion sensor will send power back to the machine.  Just one unit can save up to $560 in energy costs per machine each year.    

Computer Network Power Management Software Initiative enables you to save considerable energy by minimizing the power your computer network is consuming. The attached flyer explains how to obtain this software with no out of pocket cost to you or your organization.

Vending Misers Installed On All Lincoln Academy Vending Machines

We installed a vending miser–an infrared device that shuts down a vending machine when no movement is around–on a vending machine at Lincoln Academy. Using quantitative analysis, we proved its effectiveness. 1 vending miser saves about 33% of the energy used for the vending machine–which is about $100. We presented to the findings to our school principal, and now vending misers have been installed on all of the vending machines in our school. A total of $600 will be saved per year!