The Vending Miser®, a motion sensor device to save energy on vending machines, was one of UC Berkeley’s pioneer projects for the Green Campus Program. The project started in early 2006 with 4 misers on soda machines in two of the Associated Students of the University of California’s (ASUC) Eshelman Hall and the Naia Lounge.

The Vending Miser® uses a passive infrared sensor to power down the machine when the surrounding area is vacant. It also monitors the room’s temperature, ensures the product stays cold, and automatically repowers the cooling system at one to three hour intervals. Our energy readings are calculated by Kill-a-watt® meters, energy monitoring devices, that are read by Green Campus interns every week.

Prior to UC Berkeley’s implementation, Tufts University reports that vending misers cut vending machine energy use in half and have a payback of 1-2 years. The University of Colorado, Boulder noticed that the vending misers actually attracted buyers because they caused vending machines to “spring into life” when someone walks near them.

In collaboration with the ASUC, the vending miser pilot program was a great success. The vending misers in areas with less day to day traffic reduced energy consumption by 51.8% in our trial period, and the vending miser facing a desk where there was more movement throughout the day saved 17.2% in the trial period. The pilot projected to save an estimated total of 2460 kWh per year.

Currently we have expanded our project to 16 machines in 11 campus buildings. Our goal is to expand onto all campus machines. Our yearly estimated kWh savings is 23,174 (40%, $2,086) and our estimated kWh savings to date is 8,996 ($810).

To get involved with this project, contact berkeleygreencampus@gmail.com

Informational PDF’s (From USA Technology’s website)

Vending Misers Information PDF
Vending Misers Information PDF 2
08 GC Mid Year Summit - UC Berkeley Vending Miser Case Study

The Vending Miser project is a collaborative effort between Green Campus, the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC), USA Technologies, and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.