Water Heater

Gulf Coast Solar gave me a hand with the solar water heating project. On a cloudy day at 10:00 am it is 138 degrees F. On clear days in the afternoon it gets to be as much as 180.

HVAC

I haven't begun this project as yet, but in addtion to the new unit becoming a whole-house air filter and the inclusion of a hygrometer and controls, I would like to have a power usage meter on the thing as well. I have a small one, but it is only useful while a thing is running. Good for lamps and such, but not for ovens, HVACs, or water heaters which use power as needed.

Refrigeration

I have been thinking about refrigerators a lot of late... but not enough to be in TheDylan ponders section. Why do I need a freezer on my refrigerator when I have a giant one in the garage? Effeciency ratings are also a waste of time when one has children that like to take inventory every few minutes. I would be better served having the kid's drinks in a cooler with some ice. (I need some calculations here...)

Dishwasher

"The Russians used a pencil". The most efficient way for me to wash dishes is by hand.Easy enough. (Please understand that I live in Mobile, AL where the average rainfall is higher than almost anywhere. We could conserve water, but there is really no point.) Still on those off-hand times when it is not I washing dishes, then I would like to have the most efficient model/method possible. I read a interesting paper on dishwasher efficiency. I'll spare you the trouble by suggesting you buy a Bosch. There is one other consideration which I still don't have a definitive answer for as yet. I will have to have a temperature indicator on my hot water supply leading to the new dishwasher before I know for sure. For now suffice it to write that you may be better served connecting your cold-water supply to the dishwasher. Most likely the hot water isn't hot enough to surpress the heating element so you are just wasting hot water.