Doug Stevens is looking for some simple efficiency examples that even young children can understand (“Efficiency & Solar Education Ideas” in Ask the Experts, HP132). I work for an appliance manufacturer (Fisher & Paykel) in New Zealand. Our washing machines have highly efficient, brushless permanent-magnet motors. When old machines with these “smart-drive” motors come through our recycling facility, we collect the motors and supply them to a company (www.ecoinnovation.co.nz) that gives them second lives as alternators for wind or water turbines.

The company gave us a unit that they had fitted with a crank handle. They set it up to power either or both of two individually switched desk lamps. One lamp has a standard incandescent bulb while the other has a compact fluorescent. We all know that the CFL uses about 25% of the energy of the other. But I have yet to see anybody, experienced engineers included, who really has a good feel for what that means—until they tried cranking the handle while somebody else flicked the switches. Doug would find that such a demonstration would be a very effective way of really getting the message across, to any age. The photo shows George Gray, our recycling facility manger, trying out the demonstration unit.

Lindsey Roke • Fisher & Paykel