BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Why in the world would anybody want to live in California? Everything that has more than water and air in it is illegal and they tell you how much power you can use. Good grief.
Electrical Costs Killing Me!!!
- Thread starter mrpet
- Start date
They use this lame tier system you are allowed so many killawatts and month, and everytime you pass a certain point, killawatts used go up in cost. Anybody that has an aquarium will be in the upper tier's of usage.
Why would I want to live in California, The weather, the woman, and we have all the good fish stores
Why would I want to live in California, The weather, the woman, and we have all the good fish stores
bergzy
New member
as bean has pointed out several times...
'if' you are asking for advice, then the one that makes the most sense is to first list ALL your equipment, the amount of energy they consume and the time that they are on.
trying to isolate a piece of equipment here and there and to replace a slightly higher energy using one with something that uses a little less but costs 5 times more...usually is not the best immediate plan.
yes, closed loops are energy hogs. they are less cluttery than having a few tunzes in the tank...but boy, do they consume a lot of electricity for the amount of water they move.
electricity here is expensive, gas is more expensive and housing is still very expensive here...but having lived in (or visited) the four corners of the united states and in between...i love living in southern california (and choose to live here as i could live anywhere in the country and do what i do for a living) despite what some see as disadvantages. the beach, no winter, little to no humidity, mountains close by etc etc etc...
since socal has gone to a tier electrical rate system:
i have installed a solar pv system. the math makes sense for 'me'. it is not just about being green. it is about saving money in the long'ish run.
before my pv system, electrical bills in the summer were $600+. now, with a pv system in place, my monthly bill is about $200.
i installed it in 2006. since then, edison has increased rates twice and refined their tier system from two levels to five levels. this means that they can shrink the tier amounts and in the end...charge even more for the same amount of electricity used.
with the rate increases and tier refinement...my return on investment has gone steadily down from 9 years, to 8 year and presently 6 years (from time of install and running).
i do not move a lot and probably will not move from my present home until i retire in 25 years.
'if' you are asking for advice, then the one that makes the most sense is to first list ALL your equipment, the amount of energy they consume and the time that they are on.
trying to isolate a piece of equipment here and there and to replace a slightly higher energy using one with something that uses a little less but costs 5 times more...usually is not the best immediate plan.
yes, closed loops are energy hogs. they are less cluttery than having a few tunzes in the tank...but boy, do they consume a lot of electricity for the amount of water they move.
electricity here is expensive, gas is more expensive and housing is still very expensive here...but having lived in (or visited) the four corners of the united states and in between...i love living in southern california (and choose to live here as i could live anywhere in the country and do what i do for a living) despite what some see as disadvantages. the beach, no winter, little to no humidity, mountains close by etc etc etc...
since socal has gone to a tier electrical rate system:
i have installed a solar pv system. the math makes sense for 'me'. it is not just about being green. it is about saving money in the long'ish run.
before my pv system, electrical bills in the summer were $600+. now, with a pv system in place, my monthly bill is about $200.
i installed it in 2006. since then, edison has increased rates twice and refined their tier system from two levels to five levels. this means that they can shrink the tier amounts and in the end...charge even more for the same amount of electricity used.
with the rate increases and tier refinement...my return on investment has gone steadily down from 9 years, to 8 year and presently 6 years (from time of install and running).
i do not move a lot and probably will not move from my present home until i retire in 25 years.
Dancing4raiin
New member
Our electricity bill comes out to be alot during the summer months living in so cal, We use to have our AC at 74 and the bill would come out to $400 we tried turning it off during the day, but it kind of defeats the purpose when the Ac has to work harder and constantly stay on to pull down the temp. We now have it set to 80 and bill was cut in half. Its kinda warm but if you had ceiling fans, or fans in general in the room it would help out alot. The main reason alot of people have the AC on so low is to keep the room cool, but if you have a warmer room with air movement its just as comfortable. Just my experience.
Solar panels are on my list, anything I should be aware of when looking @ a solar panel system.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
You live in OH and set your AC to 80? Why even bother using it. You would be better off with open windows and an attic fan.
I complain that she bumps it up to 75... 72-74 is the most common. FWIW Most places of business run at 72-73.
mrpet,
Not sure why your bill is running 800 a month other than maybe your AC.
Mine runs around 350 to 400 and the only main difference is I don't have AC.
400 G and 72 G tanks.
400 :
1 Dart pump run 24/7. sump return.
1 baraccuda C/L with OM 4 way run 12 hours a day
1 Hammerhead C/L run 12 Hpours a day
3 Sedra 9000's running the skimmer.
2 X 400W DE MH lights run 10 hrs a day
2 300 w heaters
2 small pumps runing calc reactor
72G bowfront
1 ehiem 1260 run 24/7
4 X 36 W PC atinic bulbs run 14 Hrs a day
4 X 55W PC Atinic run 12 hrs a day
2 X 150W DE MH run 10 hrs a day
I also have a 3000G swimming pool with a filter pump that runs about 12 hrs a day. Everything is set up on timmers so as to be consistant. About the only time my bill really fluciates, is when I run my power woodworking tools in the garage when I'm building something. It can jump up about 100 a month on big projects.
So I'd say look somewhere other than your tank to cut power. I'm in socal as well.
Not sure why your bill is running 800 a month other than maybe your AC.
Mine runs around 350 to 400 and the only main difference is I don't have AC.
400 G and 72 G tanks.
400 :
1 Dart pump run 24/7. sump return.
1 baraccuda C/L with OM 4 way run 12 hours a day
1 Hammerhead C/L run 12 Hpours a day
3 Sedra 9000's running the skimmer.
2 X 400W DE MH lights run 10 hrs a day
2 300 w heaters
2 small pumps runing calc reactor
72G bowfront
1 ehiem 1260 run 24/7
4 X 36 W PC atinic bulbs run 14 Hrs a day
4 X 55W PC Atinic run 12 hrs a day
2 X 150W DE MH run 10 hrs a day
I also have a 3000G swimming pool with a filter pump that runs about 12 hrs a day. Everything is set up on timmers so as to be consistant. About the only time my bill really fluciates, is when I run my power woodworking tools in the garage when I'm building something. It can jump up about 100 a month on big projects.
So I'd say look somewhere other than your tank to cut power. I'm in socal as well.
Texastravis
New member
I didnt feel like reading all the posts everyone has written so im not sure if anyone has suggested this yet.....
First off set air conditioning to 76+, it is redisulous to set it at 72. Open windows/crack at night since you live in cali.
Second thing, GET RID OF THAT DAMN CHILLER. FANS FANS FANS. That will cut 100 dollars of your freakin bill a month! I have large halide setups and keeep my temps 79-81.
Third thing, RUN AS MUCH STUFF OFF GRAVITY. My Reeflo skimmer and calcium reactor are both hooked up to my overflow boxes! My kalk reactor is hooked up to a top off container that is alllll powerd by gravity! Not even using a dosing pump.
Hope this helps
First off set air conditioning to 76+, it is redisulous to set it at 72. Open windows/crack at night since you live in cali.
Second thing, GET RID OF THAT DAMN CHILLER. FANS FANS FANS. That will cut 100 dollars of your freakin bill a month! I have large halide setups and keeep my temps 79-81.
Third thing, RUN AS MUCH STUFF OFF GRAVITY. My Reeflo skimmer and calcium reactor are both hooked up to my overflow boxes! My kalk reactor is hooked up to a top off container that is alllll powerd by gravity! Not even using a dosing pump.
Hope this helps
wizsmaster
Moved On
If you're keeping the AC at 72*F your bill will suffer. I believe the going rough estimate is for every 1*F below 78*F it goes up between $25-$50 /month? Of course all depending on the climate, AC unit size & efficiency, house style & insulation.
My bill started rising quiet a bit as summer approached, and we have since set the AC up higher.
We not keep the AC at 79*F most of the time, for sleeping we drop it down to 78*F.
Below is my tank, outlined:
Dart AO Smith - return (175w)
3 x 250w MH (248w)
Quiet One 4000 - skimmer feed (?)
Reeflo 250 skimmer (141w)
4' 6bulb (54w) Tek T-5 (?)
2 x Tunze 6100
2 x Tunze 6055
2 x Tunze 6045
1 x Tunze Wavebox
I will have to check how much i'm drawing these days ... and the extra stuff. I will be making some changes to the main system in the near future ... and we're starting a 16% increase for out power this month - they were nice enough to split it up by 2 months for 8% each.
To the OP ... as it has been stated several times now, Post up your equipment and the wattage you discover it is running.
With a full household, the tank may only cost you $250 if it were on it's own service, but with the tier system you guys have (and we do as well - but only 2 tiers), it may bump the cost up to near $400.
I have always told myself that if my power bill goes beyond $400 /month, I WILL be shutting the system down. In May our bill hit $362, I made some changes after receiving the bill, and was able to drop it down to $327 in June, and $313 in July ... I'm hoping it will drop a little bit more for the remainder of the summer, but with the oncoming rate hike of 16%, I'll be hard pressed to make enough changes to effect it after the increase.
I Love my reef, it has become a centerpiece of our life ... but when it costs more than a nice car payment, and turns to 1/2 of the mortgage ... it will be cut back.
Our power bill does represent a house of 2 adults, 2 kids, a Power mac w/ 23" screen that together pulls 400w or so, a solana w/ a 250w HM, a 13g with PC's, and lots of opened doors by the kids.
My bill started rising quiet a bit as summer approached, and we have since set the AC up higher.
We not keep the AC at 79*F most of the time, for sleeping we drop it down to 78*F.
Below is my tank, outlined:
Dart AO Smith - return (175w)
3 x 250w MH (248w)
Quiet One 4000 - skimmer feed (?)
Reeflo 250 skimmer (141w)
4' 6bulb (54w) Tek T-5 (?)
2 x Tunze 6100
2 x Tunze 6055
2 x Tunze 6045
1 x Tunze Wavebox
I will have to check how much i'm drawing these days ... and the extra stuff. I will be making some changes to the main system in the near future ... and we're starting a 16% increase for out power this month - they were nice enough to split it up by 2 months for 8% each.
To the OP ... as it has been stated several times now, Post up your equipment and the wattage you discover it is running.
With a full household, the tank may only cost you $250 if it were on it's own service, but with the tier system you guys have (and we do as well - but only 2 tiers), it may bump the cost up to near $400.
I have always told myself that if my power bill goes beyond $400 /month, I WILL be shutting the system down. In May our bill hit $362, I made some changes after receiving the bill, and was able to drop it down to $327 in June, and $313 in July ... I'm hoping it will drop a little bit more for the remainder of the summer, but with the oncoming rate hike of 16%, I'll be hard pressed to make enough changes to effect it after the increase.
I Love my reef, it has become a centerpiece of our life ... but when it costs more than a nice car payment, and turns to 1/2 of the mortgage ... it will be cut back.
Our power bill does represent a house of 2 adults, 2 kids, a Power mac w/ 23" screen that together pulls 400w or so, a solana w/ a 250w HM, a 13g with PC's, and lots of opened doors by the kids.
Last edited:
scaryperson27
New member
I would be looking into what Bean said. If I were you, at 800 dollars a month, I would be looking for a clear resolution to your problem. Unfortunately, the way to find it is to use a crap load of math.
Just get the numbers and then you'll know how/where you really need to cut the cost. I can't imagine how many hours are worked just to feed the electric company.
Take a fraction of that time and figure out how you can put the money where it matters. Your kids, your future, your home...
Just get the numbers and then you'll know how/where you really need to cut the cost. I can't imagine how many hours are worked just to feed the electric company.
Take a fraction of that time and figure out how you can put the money where it matters. Your kids, your future, your home...
wizsmaster
Moved On
Here is how our power is billed:
Fuel:
-------
$0.052270 <1000 kWH
$0.062277 >1000 kWH
Non Fuel:
------------
$0.041340 <1000 kWH
$0.051660 >1000 kWH
So lets do the math together:
$0.052270 + $0.041340 = $0.09361 (<1000 kWH)
$0.062277 + $0.051660 = $0.11393 (>1000 kWH)
In July we used 2904 kWH's.
1000 x $0.09361 = $93.61
1904 x $0.11393 = $216.92272
$93.61 + $216.93 = $310.54
Of course once you add in the Hurricane recovery fund, and extra stuff, we ended up with a $327.18 power bill from FPL in June.
The following is their explanation of Fuel / non-Fuel charges.
Fuel:
-------
$0.052270 <1000 kWH
$0.062277 >1000 kWH
Non Fuel:
------------
$0.041340 <1000 kWH
$0.051660 >1000 kWH
So lets do the math together:
$0.052270 + $0.041340 = $0.09361 (<1000 kWH)
$0.062277 + $0.051660 = $0.11393 (>1000 kWH)
In July we used 2904 kWH's.
1000 x $0.09361 = $93.61
1904 x $0.11393 = $216.92272
$93.61 + $216.93 = $310.54
Of course once you add in the Hurricane recovery fund, and extra stuff, we ended up with a $327.18 power bill from FPL in June.
The following is their explanation of Fuel / non-Fuel charges.
Last edited:
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
mrpet,
are you going to post the requested information or have you decided to go with the trial and error process?
are you going to post the requested information or have you decided to go with the trial and error process?
yes, you need to itemize all your equipment
reef / aholic
New member
roll back your meter.....
second_decimal
Member
i would also have my meter checked if i lived in a house that was older or did not have a digital meter... sometimes those things can run fast. btw, i just checked my usage or "footprint", it looks like i am well on my way to surpass 4000 kwh this month. so forget a 200 dollar electric bill haha
dobly_1999
Member
I had my meter checked and it was replaced by the power company. Also, I just switch to complete T5 from 2 - 250w MH. I just cost my light energy by half.
Next, I will replace my Quiet One 6000 (140w) with a Rio pump (40w) next month.
Next, I will replace my Quiet One 6000 (140w) with a Rio pump (40w) next month.
dobly_1999
Member
I had my meter checked and it was replaced by the power company. Also, I just switch to complete T5 from 2 - 250w MH. I just cost my light energy by half.
Next, I will replace my Quiet One 6000 (140w) with a Rio pump (40w) next month.
Next, I will replace my Quiet One 6000 (140w) with a Rio pump (40w) next month.
