Power Consumption

[arvin]

Everytime I see my current bill during summer months, a chill runs through my spine. How much really I am spending for my hobby on electricity alone, month after month? I decided to itemize all the equipments that I use and come up with a chart:

Equipment	Watts	kWh	Hours/day	Per Day	Per Month
MP40	28	0.028	16	$ 0.06	$ 1.73
MP40	28	0.028	16	$ 0.06	$ 1.73
MP10	18	0.018	16	$ 0.04	$ 1.11
MP10	18	0.018	16	$ 0.04	$ 1.11
Blueline return pump	290	0.29	24	$ 0.89	$ 26.83
Blueline return pump	290	0.29	24	$ 0.89	$ 26.83
Skimmer	28	0.028	24	$ 0.09	$ 2.59
Biopellet Reactor	35	0.035	24	$ 0.11	$ 3.24
LED lights	360	0.36	8	$ 0.37	$ 11.10
Radion	150	0.15	8	$ 0.15	$ 4.63
Chiller	280	0.28	5	$ 0.18	$ 5.40
				Total	$ 86.29

The above chart is at $0.128 per kwh which is what I am paying currently. Although I dont run the vortechs and LED lights at their maximum wattage, I have assumed at their maximum rate just for ease of calculation.

Does this appear close enough? Am I over/under estimating anything?

Arvind.

 

[jgraz]

I don't know if that right or not but its not a nice number. I'm probably beyond that with the multiple T5 units of 8 bulbs each.
My wife has recently been complaining about the bill lately. I've was hesitant to ask the amount. When I finally did it really got me thinking of downsizing.

 

[AqOb]

Id be curious to know how much does your TV/cable cost ?

 

[Mark...]

The Blue lines seem to be pigs...you can get more efficient pumps. And I bet a low watt fan could replace your chiller.

 

[arvin]

Id be curious to know how much does your TV/cable cost ?

I have made that arguments several times before, LOL. I have also been blaming it on the old central AC for the high electric charges. Once I replace the AC, my wife is going to find out the real reason why my house is getting such a high electricity bill compared to the neighbor.

 

[arvin]

The Blue lines seem to be pigs...you can get more efficient pumps. And I bet a low watt fan could replace your chiller.

I am ok with the chiller. It is only seasonal and runs only when the water temperatures hits 82. So I am not so much concerned with it. But I have to do something about the blue lines. These two pumps runs 24X7X365 so replacing them may be a good option.

 

[AqOb]

I have made that arguments several times before, LOL. I have also been blaming it on the old central AC for the high electric charges. Once I replace the AC, my wife is going to find out the real reason why my house is getting such a high electricity bill compared to the neighbor.

I can tell you about 3 yrs after we opened the AC had to be replaced here at store and my electric dropped approx $400.00 a month during the summer with the more efficient unit.

 

[dnov99]

I switched out the original builder grade central AC several years ago with a 95 rated efficient unit. The drop in my electric bill was several hundred a month. If you can swing the cost go ahead and make the switch as soon as you can. It will pay for itself that much faster.

 

[Mark...]

My 3200 gallon Sicci pump uses 165w per hour. By switching you would save about $25 a month. The DC pumps out there probably a lot more.

 

[jgraz]

I switched out the original builder grade central AC several years ago with a 95 rated efficient unit. The drop in my electric bill was several hundred a month. If you can swing the cost go ahead and make the switch as soon as you can. It will pay for itself that much faster.

Funny thing, we got a new A/C installed about 2 years ago. I used that time to strategically add parts to my system so that it would appear that our bill remained the same. It lasted about a year before I blew that out of the water adding different parts to the system. My energy bill is about $150-$200 more per month then ever before.

 

[arvin]

I am ok with the chiller. It is only seasonal and runs only when the water temperatures hits 82. So I am not so much concerned with it. But I have to do something about the blue lines. These two pumps runs 24X7X365 so replacing them may be a good option.

I can tell you about 3 yrs after we opened the AC had to be replaced here at store and my electric dropped approx $400.00 a month during the summer with the more efficient unit.

The AC replacement is long overdue. The newer ones are much more energy efficient and the current one I am using is end of its life anyway. This is something I am going to look into right away.

 

[arvin]

My 3200 gallon Sicci pump uses 165w per hour. By switching you would save about $25 a month. The DC pumps out there probably a lot more.

I am reading the specs. That will be an interesting replacement too.

 

[asonitez]

At least your using LED's. My power in my apartment when using window air conditioners were astronomical. I hazard to say around 280 or more per month. I'm moving to a house in about 2 weeks in NC and I'm hoping with central air it shouldn't be too crazy. I'm taking my tanks but they won't be setup for a while.

 

[horseplay]

Switched to T-mobile 9 months ago save $100+/month which should cover the power consumption

Paying a lot in winter to heat the tank. So I run in sump return pump which helps.

 

[Mark...]

Switched to T-mobile 9 months ago save $100+/month which should cover the power consumption

Paying a lot in winter to heat the tank. So I run in sump return pump which helps.

I do the same. My system gets on the warm side, but I fixed it with my Apex and a fan. My heater is off for about 4-5 months in the warmer months and my 225 gallons are heated with just a 300w heater, except the brutally cold months when the back up heat kicks on via Apex.