What is a Vending Miser?

!±8± What is a Vending Miser?

Simply put, a vending miser is a device that saves energy on a refrigerated vending machine (typically soda machines) by safely shutting off the machine when no one is around, without effecting beverage temperature. This is a plug and play device that requires no machine modifications.

The vending miser uses three different technologies to save energy:

1. An Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR) similar to a motion sensor is mounted above the vending machine (either on the wall or using an easy install L shaped bracket) so the sensor can detect motion within 15 feet.
2. Smart electronics monitor the refrigeration cycles on the machine to know when it's safe to shut down the machine. Unlike timers, the Vending Miser will not shut down a machine while running a refrigeration cycle.
3. A temperature sensor in the vending miser ensures that beverages inside the machine stay cold by monitoring the temperature around the machine and repowering every 1 to 3 hours as needed. If the outside temperature goes above 105 degrees Fahrenheit the Vending Miser will not shut off the machine.

Why does it save energy?

Many soda machines are located in areas that have little to no traffic at night or on the weekend. Typically these machines are left on and will run through more refrigeration cycles than necessary due to a variety of factors (i.e. the vending machines temperature sensor may be inaccurate). By reducing the number of times that a machine runs its refrigeration cycle, less energy is used and studies show an average savings of 46% can be achieved. Savings are dependent on the amount of traffic in front of a vending machine and in a study done by the Nevada Power Company a break room showed a savings of 74% due to the lack of activity on the weekend and at night. The same study showed that the internal beverage temperature remained acceptable.

The California Energy Commission publishes a database of energy efficiency (DEER) and found that vending miser saved an average of 1612 kWh per year. The average vending machine uses between 2500 and 4500 kWh per year. Depending on your location it could cost between 0 - 0 to power this machine year round. This device will also save energy on energy star vending machines.

What is the cost?

Average cost per device for refrigerated soda machines is ~0. Incentives range from to 5 depending on your electricity provider. For more information on the VendingMiser and related product studies visit: [http://www.anchorsenergy.com/vendingmiser]