Energy bill costs...any way to lower it? (California)

[U Ben Fishin]

I have no idea how much my tank costs me in electricity and don't really care. I do know what it costs to build and maintain a 29 gal reef that I am very proud of. If you are counting your pennies, you might want to look at a different hobby for the sake of the critters!

 

[Brieninsac]

I don't think it's counting pennies so much as why give the power company more money.

I will say everyone can save a lot on their electricity bill by focusing on your home as a whole. Get a modern thermostat and replace all your light bulbs with LEDs.

When we bought our house in June all the bulbs were incandescent and our first power bill was $260. We spent about $500 replacing all the bulbs and recessed lights with LEDs. Two months later our bill was $140 and has been going down since.

 

[moondoggy4]

If you are using elec space heaters that is why your bill is so high, In Ca it is not always the fact you are using so much more but that you have crossed the next level in the tier system. Elec blankets work great and are cheaper to run. You could always run more wall heaters they make different kinds, some are easy to install, running the gas line is the hardest part.

 

[seamonster124]

Just got a pretty high bill as well. Thinking about adjusting timing on my LED's. I have 330 total. 165w 12 hrs, 165w 10 hrs. Should i cut down a bit?

 

[Isaacs55]

Taking everyone's opinions into consideration. Lots of good info here!
Here's what I'm going to do for now:

1: Change most of all the lights we regularly use to LED
2: Re finish the attic insulation
3: take my swamp cooler OUT of the window!!! (Totally forgot about this one!)
4: having my heaters on only during the cold night hours so from 7pm-10am (apex)
5: unplugged my apex display module (not needed)
6 Limit my space heater usage.
7: only run the dryer and dish washer after peak periods always works
8: limit my sump light to 6 hours over night...or maybe just not run it at all.
9: insulate the stand to keep cold air out of the sump area could work well also. The back is completely open, so I'll deal that off.

So this should help a lot in my opinion...we'll see. And it's not a matter of pennies...if I didn't have money to run a reef tank I clearly wouldn't. It's more of saving money elsewhere and being efficient at the same time. Win win in both areas. More savings just means more money for better equipment and new Toys... It's common sense.

Thanks everyone

 

[kmbyrnes]

When I started my first tank2 years ago, I was worried about water and electric costs. Being a nerd I started spreadsheets to track my utility costs over time. Ignoring things like increased cost per kWH and tax increases.
My average electric cost is up just $30 month from pre-tank levels.
First tank had LEDs and 2 pumps gulping 150+ watts each, plus misc power heads.
I still have that tank, plus 2 more.

I use all DC pumps and have switched some of my most used lights in the house to LEDs.

 

[dkeller_nc]

Taking everyone's opinions into consideration. Lots of good info here!
Here's what I'm going to do for now:

1: Change most of all the lights we regularly use to LED
2: Re finish the attic insulation
3: take my swamp cooler OUT of the window!!! (Totally forgot about this one!)
4: having my heaters on only during the cold night hours so from 7pm-10am (apex)
5: unplugged my apex display module (not needed)
6 Limit my space heater usage.
7: only run the dryer and dish washer after peak periods always works
8: limit my sump light to 6 hours over night...or maybe just not run it at all.
9: insulate the stand to keep cold air out of the sump area could work well also. The back is completely open, so I'll deal that off.

So this should help a lot in my opinion...we'll see. And it's not a matter of pennies...if I didn't have money to run a reef tank I clearly wouldn't. It's more of saving money elsewhere and being efficient at the same time. Win win in both areas. More savings just means more money for better equipment and new Toys... It's common sense.

Thanks everyone

Just a note, but #5 and #8 will do virtually nothing with respect to electricity usage, while #2, #3, #6 and #9 are big deals. Point is, it's well worth your time to figure actual electricity usage by an appliance/light/heater, and decide on that basis whether it's worth the possible effects to turn the item off or use it less.

For example, I wouldn't even consider locking my tank heater out during specific hours because of the risk of an unusual situation (such as cold weather and/or the house heating system malfunctioning) causing the tank temp to fall below 75 deg F. But limiting the evaporation from the tank (which costs quite a lot in heat loss) and insulating the sump is something I've already done.

 

[anbosu]

just a note, but #5 and #8 will do virtually nothing with respect to electricity usage, while #2, #3, #6 and #9 are big deals. Point is, it's well worth your time to figure actual electricity usage by an appliance/light/heater, and decide on that basis whether it's worth the possible effects to turn the item off or use it less.

For example, i wouldn't even consider locking my tank heater out during specific hours because of the risk of an unusual situation (such as cold weather and/or the house heating system malfunctioning) causing the tank temp to fall below 75 deg f. But limiting the evaporation from the tank (which costs quite a lot in heat loss) and insulating the sump is something i've already done.

+1

 

[Quick27]

I honestly noticed little to no jump on my bill after setting up my reef tank. Granted, it's only 40 gallons, but my bill seemed to stay very consistent. This month was $66 down from $75 last month. 1900sq ft, 2 story home. Can't believe how much some of you pay every month.

 

[Isaacs55]

I honestly noticed little to no jump on my bill after setting up my reef tank. Granted, it's only 40 gallons, but my bill seemed to stay very consistent. This month was $66 down from $75 last month. 1900sq ft, 2 story home. Can't believe how much some of you pay every month.

Part of living in California

 

[Quick27]

I'm in Southern California also, SoCal Edison.

 

[rtecanoe]

If it makes you feel any better, I live on Long Island and its not any better over here. Its funny how oil and natural gas(that they use to make the electricity) are half the price they were two years ago, but our KWH price isnt any cheaper. Im at $450/mo. 180 gallon tank with sump in basement is rough on my bill. Wife would kill me if she knew how much electric it uses.

 

[moondoggy4]

Low bill in Ca

Low bill in Ca

I honestly noticed little to no jump on my bill after setting up my reef tank. Granted, it's only 40 gallons, but my bill seemed to stay very consistent. This month was $66 down from $75 last month. 1900sq ft, 2 story home. Can't believe how much some of you pay every month.

Most of the people I know are in the sub 75 dollar range but once you get a bigger tank it starts to go up by the tier:headwally: You are lucky, mine rarely goes below 190 and it is a 1300 sq ft house.

 

[alex gonzales]

I live in central cali, have a 400 gallon tank, and I use led lights. My energy bill used to run 350 to 450 a month. Had solar panels installed about a year and 1 half ago and my bill is about 25.00 a month now. Thinking about going back to halides now. Solar has worked out great for me.should have done it years ago.

 

[moondoggy4]

Low bill in Ca

Low bill in Ca

Double post

 

[Breadman03]

Taking everyone's opinions into consideration. Lots of good info here!
Here's what I'm going to do for now:

1: Change most of all the lights we regularly use to LED
2: Re finish the attic insulation
3: take my swamp cooler OUT of the window!!! (Totally forgot about this one!)
4: having my heaters on only during the cold night hours so from 7pm-10am (apex)
Consider lowering the tank temperature to 76-77 or so instead.
5: unplugged my apex display module (not needed)
I doubt you would notice this.
6 Limit my space heater usage.
7: only run the dryer and dish washer after peak periods always works
8: limit my sump light to 6 hours over night...or maybe just not run it at all.
9: insulate the stand to keep cold air out of the sump area could work well also. The back is completely open, so I'll deal that off.
That may lead to a moisture problem which could grow mold.

So this should help a lot in my opinion...we'll see. And it's not a matter of pennies...if I didn't have money to run a reef tank I clearly wouldn't. It's more of saving money elsewhere and being efficient at the same time. Win win in both areas. More savings just means more money for better equipment and new Toys... It's common sense.

Thanks everyone

It looks like you have peak and off peak times. Maybe running your skimmer only at night would make an impact.

 

[moondoggy4]

I am not sure if Ca is doing the on/off peak pricing yet. For me it has been a tier system I pay somewhere around 29cents a KWH.

Maybe for fun we could put price per KWH, they make it real difficult to fighure exactly how you use, not like the water bill which is easy.