Electric bill

Frankysreef

Frankysreef

Active member
Ok all, lets get together and try to figure out ways to save some money...

I just got my last bill it was 475.. UGH

1. Move my photoperiod to have more hours after 6 pm.. ( can someone verify that this would be cheaper? )
I think peak hours are 6am - 6pm

2. Vent my chiller to outside air..

3. cut my photoperiod down another hour.

4. get rid of my electric stove.

chime in all, and if someone could verify point #1.

thanks

F
 
point #1 is irrelvant unless your are on the special 'time of use' rate plan and have the special meter installed and can shift 80% or more of your overall usage to off-peak hours.
 
Solar panels might be something to look into. They are pricey up front but; they will reduce your bill and the state used to pick up some of the tab. The new lcd lighting systems are going to be a big help once they come down in price a little. They are supposed to be about 3/4 of the power drain of a halide. Look at your pumps are they the most energy efficient you can find? The pumps we use are sometimes the biggest expense because they run 24/7.
 
#1 may not help in pure rate savings, but because you'll be heating the water with lights after the peak heat of the day, you'll likely run your chiller (slightly) less...

No idea what the savings will be, but it should be non-zero.
 
I've seen this argument a ton. Look at what your main pump draws for power since it is on and running all of the time. From there ask yourself if you can replace the pump for one less costly on power.

Ways of doing this is only have the minimum required going through your sump and using powerheads like vortech and tunze that draw less power. Red Dragon pumps draw very little power but will require a substantial investment at the beginning. Also you can get a bit out of shortening/changing the time your lights on your tank are running. Good luck. ~Matt
 
I am looking into that time of use plan...
We will probably get a new stove at christmas time...

Electric stoves can really use the juice... plasma tv's..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8268371#post8268371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Frankysreef
But I would like to conserver by not buying more equipment.
Click to expand...

then run your equipment less... skimmer off at night, lights on for less time... those are your only real options if you dont want to buy equipment...
 
That is a good Idea... put my skimmers on a timer! I have a timer that I havent been using.... My skimmers run a mag 9.5 and a via aqua 3300 24/7
 
Frank,
Heat seems to be the enemy. I just put my skimmer on my AC Jr. I set it to go off once tank temp exceeds 80 degrees. It comes back on when tank temp falls below 79.5. Basically once all 4 MH are on, the skimmer cuts off. shortly after the lights are off the skimmer kicks back on. I would prefer to have the skimmer on when the lights are off since it helps maintain the ph blowing off co2 from the calcium reactor. Making a change like this will most likely have your chiller running less as well. You have 2 skimmers so I am sure you won't have a problem with a build up of nutrients while the skimmers are off. I'm just lucky because my skimmer pulls out more in 8 hours, than most skimmers do in a couple of days.
 
Yes this is an easy fix...I built a timer to run my kalk reactor, but havent used it since I turned it off...

I use those in wall timers, no batteries, and tons of options...I also have 2 outlets connected to it.

The 475 is also with the new t5 tek light for the frag tank running at 8 hours at night.
 
I was luck this month and got a bill under $300. Hopefully with this chage I will get one under $250 next month.
 
Yep. Gas stove but 2 electric ovens. I do have a gas dryer though so that saves me as well. but that savisng is eaten up by the 2 refrigerators
 
I still think I am going to drill a hole in my garage to vent the chiller...I moved it there but it just heats up the garage and hot air going into the chiller just keeps it running...

I'll install a dryer vent near the chiller and vent the hot air outside... Next day off...

I have been fragging like crazy in the meantime...My new t5 frag tank/fuge is really coming along good... I'll have a lot of stuff for ontario.

I fragged
Purple slimer
aq city fire pink millepora
blue stag
surf n turf
rainbow tenuis
oregon tort
pink mille
yellow mille
green mille
monti spumosa
and some others...
 
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