How many kWh a month do you use?

michika · #1 07-07-2013, 04:15 PM

I think this is a hugely underdiscussed component to this hobby; carrying costs and efficiency planning. I hope more and more people chime in and really get this thread going.

fishoholic · #2 07-07-2013, 05:22 PM

EEEEEEEEK! Ok I know I use a lot of power (3 large tanks, 3 smaller ones, 2 dehumidifiers etc.) but looking at the actual consumption is scary! Last month my bill reading (April 23-May21) I used 2315 kWh

the really scary part is my A/C units having been running for most of June so my next bill will be even more

My cost (with enmax locked in at 8 cents) is around $300/month. FYI MTS with large tanks sucks!

michika · #3 07-07-2013, 05:56 PM

Wow!

In the last little while have any of you encorporated any equipment or changes that had huge impacts, hopefully for the better, on your bills?

I also do some of the little stuff that you mentioned Mike; line or hang drying clothes, etc. It actually really helps out.

mike31154 · #4 07-07-2013, 06:01 PM

I don't have any conventional light bulbs & very few CFLs or fluorescents left in the house, mostly LEDs now. Also have ceiling fans in each bedroom & dining room now. This cuts down on the need for AC in those rooms.

mike31154 · #5 07-07-2013, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michika

I think this is a hugely underdiscussed component to this hobby; carrying costs and efficiency planning. I hope more and more people chime in and really get this thread going.

Definitely a good idea to take stock once in a while. Typically the items that are power hogs will be anything with a compressor or large heating element. So.... AC, fridge, freezer, chiller, electric baseboard heater, electric water heater, electric clothes dryer, electric range/stove, fish tank heaters and I guess big honkin' MH bulbs if you run a few 400 watters.

For most of us, the fish tank is probably not that big a deal when compared to appliances such as stoves, dryers & central AC. I have a clothesline & rarely use my dryer. Even in the winter I often use an indoor retractable clothes line in my south facing add-on sunroom to dry laundry.

What many folks forget about are the phantom loads that may not use big power, but because they're on or plugged in 24/7/365, will bump your kWh number up significantly over time. For example, my Shaw digital cable box uses 40 watts as long as it's plugged in. It doesn't even have to be turned on & does not have a PVR. I think it goes up to 43 watts when it's on & the PVR models use even more power. So this thing is using 40 watts just to keep the programming menu instant on when I turn on the TV to watch. I've started unplugging the power bar to my home theatre set up every night when I shut things down. It means a minor inconvenience in having to wait for the programming menu to reload, but I can live with that when it saves a few kWhs. I also turn off the power bar to my internet router when I'm done surfing. I think there are now power bars available that sense usage & automatically shut things down for you. Might be a worthwhile investment. My next TV will have a built in tuner & I will ditch the Shaw cable TV & be content with the two over the air digital stations. This will not only save power, but a good chunk on the monthly Shaw bill.