AircoSaverUSA

If NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena ends up buying new German devices that can reduce an air-conditioner's
energy use by more than 25 percent, Moorpark restauranteur, Mike Takeda, can take some of the credit.

A regular customer at Takeda's Cafe Firenze in Moorpark overheard another talking about the device and got the lab to
successfully test it. So the restaurant was an appropriate place to hold a demonstration of the device Friday.

The device is called an AircoSaver. According to the distributor, the newly developed electronic control unit compensates for the
shortcomings of a typical air conditioner by using sensor-driven software algorithms to detect overcooling and switch off the
compressor.

Russell Murry of Moorpark is an efficiency expert for Emcor Group Inc., a contractor that handles maintenance and operations
for the Pasadena lab. One day, he overheard the distributor talking about the product at the restaurant.

Murry said he was interested because NASA has mandated reducing power consumption by 3 percent every year at its facilities,
but further testing of the device would be required to convince him.

"At first I thought it was snake oil but was willing to give it a chance," said Murry.

Murry had engineering technicians set up the units at the lab, and the results were significant - a 31.8 percent energy savings. "I
was really surprised with the results," said Murry. "I can say other NASA sites are interested." The device can be used to
upgrade existing AC units, be installed in new units, and may qualify for rebates from utility companies.

Murry was on hand Friday as the restaurant had an AircoSaver installed on its rooftop air conditioner during a demonstration for
potential clients, including United Way, Baxter International Inc., and the city of Moorpark.

Takeda said the electric bill at his 6,500-square-foot restaurant goes up by more than 40 percent during the summer and can
reach several thousand dollars a month.

Data from the demonstration Friday showed the unit decreased Cafe Firenze's energy consumption by and average of 17.7
percent.

"The electricity costs kill us. Anything to get it down would be wonderful," said Takeda. ~