E-Cube Reduces Display-Case Refrigerator Electricity Use
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 03.17.07
Via The Guardian, which reports that E-cube:- "...is made of wax, is barely three inches across and comes in any colour you like, as long as it's black. And it could save more greenhouse gas emissions than taxes on gas guzzling cars, low energy light bulbs and wind turbines on houses combined. It is the e-cube, and it is coming soon to a fridge near you". The Guardian article, obviously written by non-engineer, conjures up the image of a blob of wax one molds around the refrigerator temp dial. As pictured, E-Cube is actually a plastic box filled with wax that has a heat transfer characteristic similar to food. Inside the cube (pictured), suspended in the wax presumably, is a thermistor that supplants the internal air temperature sensing device that refrigerators use to control on/off cycling. From the E-Cube site is this explanation. "Refrigeration units usually monitor circulating air temperature in order to decide when to switch on and off. However, circulating air temperature tends to rise quickly, far more quickly than food temperature and, as a result, refrigeration works harder than necessary to maintain stored products at the right temperature. This in turn leads to excessive electricity consumption and undue wear and tear on the equipment". Headed for retail store prime time, as Starbucks is reportedly testing the device, we're just surprised that Wal-Mart didn't give it a go yet. Not strongly recommended for home refrigerators, as the benefits are lost with infrequent opening.
Can anyone please tell me how paying £10 a ton for my carbon helps the earth?
I don't quite understand the above user's comment.
this is a 25 pound item that appears to have an infinite number of uses in it, that could save you electricity by evening out your fridge's compressor use.
Very interesting.
James, I think the top poster got confused somehow and commented on that program where you pay a certain amount based on your carbon emissions and it's supposed to benefit alternative energy development for Native Americans or something.
back on topic, however, yeah I see how this would be good.
I agree it looks promising and seems obvious now that efficiency is the aim of design. This article gives me the idea to make one for my fridge out of recycled dairy-lee-wax and actually measure the electricity saving at the plug. I am ecoxious it may reduce the performance of the fridge. It's such a good theory actually that I'm surprised it isn't already built into all fridges. Also what about Monbiot's suggestion of vacuum panel fridges, or even double-glazing or a web-cam for easy meal-planning. Or using the larder.
This e-cube seems to be a great product for everyone!. Not only does this product save about 20% of the energy costs a year, but it also reduces the co2 emissions drastically. There is no reason why grocery stores don't pick up this product, and it is just breaking into North America now!.
if you have questions about this product feel free to e-mail me at tms785@aol.com. I have a wealth of information for it!