SHE COOKS, CLEANS – AND SAVES THE WORLD!

One small step for a Scottish housewife, one giant leap for humankind's efficiency.

Revolutionary energy saver invented by housewife
Nick Bevans, June 25, 2007 (The Scotsman)

WHO
Tanya Ewing, housewife and first-time mother
Ewing and her gadget

WHAT
Ewgeco (U-gee-ko), invented by Ewing (patents pending), measures and displays real-time consumption of electricity, water and gas.

WHEN
- Idea conceived in 2006.
- Expected to be available by early 2008.

WHERE
Perth, Scotland.

WHY
- By seeing Ewgeco’s display (in kw or litres, with colors denoting gross levels) of their energy and resource use, consumers may better control it.
- Lyme-disease sufferer Ewing, 38, won competitions for innovation, including a 1000 pound prize. One of the judges called the Ewgeco “the Star Trek box.” Her inspiration was frustration with utility meters hidden away, difficult to read and displaying meaningless numbers.
- Ewgeco is expected to retail for less than 80 pounds.
the EWGECO

- Ewgeco will be installed in Scottish schools and Ewing has had inquires from construction companies, home-improvement stores, utility companies and energy charities.
- Ewing is making plans for (1) an electricity-only model, (2) an "invasive" model placed in the struture’s utility systems, (3) a model installed in utilities’current "smart" meters and (4) the multi-utility device.

QUOTES
Ewing: "A busy mum walking out the door will be able at a glance to see just how much electricity, gas or water is being used - or wasted - at that time. But, of course, businesses too will be able to take advantage. The majority of the population is unaware of the true cost of appliances - and by saving just 1p an hour, this adds up to an annual saving of £87.60…The government has recognised the need for homeowners to install an energy-monitoring device to help reduce carbon emissions. There is a huge market for Ewgeco."