For the last six months, IBM has been running  a Smart Grid test in the town of Fayettevile, North Carolina. First results show the average Smart Grid home reduces their energy usage by a surprising 15%.

The reasons offered start with the companies involved (IBM & Consent) who claim; “If it can be measured, it can be managed.” This concept has been around for a number of years, but it needs further detail to understand exactly why they called it the Smart Grid and why it could be the Holy Grail of energy efficiency.

Each house on the Smart Grid gives owners the ability to set daily use profiles, check real-time energy consumption, create monthly bill targets and cycle off appliances during peak load times–all through a standard Internet connection. One of the things the Smart Grid allows you to see–and correct–is the surprising amount of ‘vampire power’ a house consumes. Your computers,  air conditioners, HDTVs, and water heater all use energy even when they’re switched off. By either unplugging these devices or cycling down power supply when you are not in the house or asleep, you can immediately cut your electricity use by least 10%.

Of course, you don’t need to wait for your local utility or IBM to put you on the Smart Grid before you start reducing your energy bills and saving money. For the first day of fall, here’s some tips for winterizing your home.  And some low/no cost steps you can take for year-round energy efficiency.