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4th of July Can you exercise your way to energy independence?
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We've all thought it at one time or another at the gym- is it possible to take all the work being done on the treadmills, on the weight machines, in the aerobic rooms and convert it to electic power?
Could a nation of fit Americans generate their own energy independence at the gym?
I decided to do some digging, and found some surprising info. Take pedal power. There are a number of products that you can hook your bike into that convert your efforts to electicity.
For example, Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator is a cycleops like device that you can hook up to generate electricity.
According to their website
With the Home Power Package for the Pedal-A-Watt when you pedal you will be sending electricity, up to 250 watts, to your home that will be used by your appliances. The energy you create by pedaling will replace the energy you would otherwise pay for from your utility and you are saving money!
They claim you can actually sell back power to your utility
If you have no appliances in your home on when you are pedaling your utility meter will run backwards and you will be getting paid for the electricity you are creating! 1) Unpack Your Order (arrives in two boxes)
2) Put Your Bicycle in the Pedal-A-Watt Stand
3) Plug the Pedal-A-Watt Stand into the Inverter
4) Plug the Inverter into a Wall Outlet**
**Please note that you should check with your utility for their procedures regarding a "250 watt grid-intertie inverter." Also have your electrician identify the wall outlets that will be suitable. Almost all outlets will be suitable but always better to check first.
It sounds pretty cool, probably would take a long long time to achieve a payback in dollar terms but would be cool none the less.
