Household Fluorescent Bulbs

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Bob I

I think that is a bit of an urban legend. It is funny that my father used to say the same thing. ....

I think it was from my Dad, too, where I heard this, but can't be certain.
Us kids used to get crap for leaving lights on, except for the kitchen (if I remember right), which was fluorescent.

Cheers,

[DanG]

How accurate is the reading? Is it one of those measure one month and guesstimate the next month?

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by DanG

How accurate is the reading? Is it one of those measure one month and guesstimate the next month?

Not sure what you are getting at.
Is that how they do it in Manitoba?
In BC the consumption for the period covered by a bill is clearly indicated on the bill. You pay for what you've used. There is no forecasting. (At least not that I'm aware of. Maybe that's an option, but if it is I don't have it).
Comparing my last bill against the bill previous to that clearly shows a rise in consumption. So I don't get where you think a guesstimate might be in play here. The timeline maybe? A hydro bill here in BC covers 2 months, not just one. I have received 2 bills since starting up the FOWLR. But the first bill would have reflected only about 2 weeks of that tank being in operation. The FOWLR was in operation for the entire 2 months of the second bill.
But really, I am quite certain now that it is the FOWLR that caused the increase and there is no necessity to say anything more on it.
As for my original question on the fluorescent bulbs....I agree with Bob. I think it is an urban myth (and an old one at that) and I am not going to lose any sleep over it.
Thanx again to those who responded with information leading to the discovery of the increased power consumption.

Cheers,

[Willow]

they read one month and guess the next month at my place.. the bill is always wackadoodle.

[deep6er]

You can ask BC hydro to put you on a flat rate. They take your monthy average from last year and charge you the same amount per month then next year they will campare it and if you used less they owe you money if you used more your monthly rate goes up. I think this is how it works. My last hydro bill was $400.00 I am changing to the flat rate plan soon.

[DanG]

Yes that is how they do it in manitoba, they base the guess on the average consumption used in the same month over the last 2 years.

[TheReefGeek]

In e-town I get wacked out bills. Seems like they only take actualy readings every 3 months or so, the other months they forecast. They always seem to forecast low, then WHAM, hit with a nice big bill every 3 months.

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by deep6er

You can ask BC hydro to put you on a flat rate. They take your monthy average from last year and charge you the same amount per month then next year they will campare it and if you used less they owe you money if you used more your monthly rate goes up. I think this is how it works. My last hydro bill was $400.00 I am changing to the flat rate plan soon.

Wow $400.00 , and I complain if mine goes over $60.00

[TheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob I

Wow $400.00 , and I complain if mine goes over $60.00

What do you live in, and what lighting is over your reefs? When I lived in an apartment without a reef mine was $80.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by Willow

they read one month and guess the next month at my place.. the bill is always wackadoodle.

Same here. Most of the time the monthly bills are nicely consistent but every now and again they'll estimate low. I hate that, makes the bill nice and small for that month, but I just cringe at knowing what the next month will be.