News Flash/Bad news for all

[myusername]

On Friday my wife informed me of a news report that ran in the L.A. Times newspaper (Home Edition) as well as a local newspaper in our area stating that So. California Edison is going to be raising their electrical rates beginnng August 1 to 55% so this is an alert for all reefers that are using a high rate of electricity. Since then I have been trying to figure out ways to bring down my use of electricity. This thread should be used for reefers to brainstorm on how to cut the useage down and to create new ways to be better efficient in running our tanks. For an example I thought of (1) putting an underground sump in so that I would not use my chiller. Since I do not have any experience in this I desperately need someone who has done that to give me a step by step plan that I may achieve that goal. Another example is to cut my lights down to the bear minimum time that I need to keep my corals alive while this is our peak season for electricity. Another idea I had which I cannot afford right now is to put up the electrical panels which would create enough electricity for my household, my tank and any other needs but I am looking at starting that idea at a cost of around $10,000 which I do not have at this time. So if there is anyone who has any ideas to improve the efficiency and cost saving tips at this time please let me know!

 

[NicoleC]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=889136

 

[phatphisher]

upsetting how utility companies are able to arbitrarily raise rates at such rediculous percentage.

 

[Mchava]

and that is why I am running my tank on t5 for the summer.

 

[SurfOnH20]

I spoke with an Edison rep yesterday. Yes the rates are going up for HEAVY users, but if you keep you comsumption down you will not be affected. He said if you can keep your usage under 50 kilowatts a day then you should be fine. Anything above that then you will be charged at an higher rate based on anything over that level. Take it for whatever it's worth, but anyways these rates are a rip off.

 

[IsaaX]

We got our SCE bill the other day and it showed we were four times over the baseline for the month :eek1:

The month of August will be interesting.

 

[DRC69]

I agree with the rip-off rates. I have been looking at all the pumps and adding the watts up. I'm making some changes in the pumps I use now. We just need to get pass the next two months and we'll all be OK until next year right???

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7803360#post7803360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SurfOnH20
I spoke with an Edison rep yesterday. Yes the rates are going up for HEAVY users, but if you keep you comsumption down you will not be affected. He said if you can keep your usage under 50 kilowatts a day then you should be fine. Anything above that then you will be charged at an higher rate based on anything over that level. Take it for whatever it's worth, but anyways these rates are a rip off.

That's 1500 kw/month. I used 1700 - 1900 kw each month last summer. I guess I'll see a diference. O well! Just another thing to deal with.

 

[NicoleC]

50 kWh/day is a lot of electricity. Sounds like they are adding another tier about 100%. If so, someone like Greg would only see a 55% increase on 200-400 kWh, and not on the whole bill.

 

[ejocam]

This is going to be interesting for businesses like myself. My average use is 135 per day? In an already tough and competitive business, this will definitely hurt those who are still trying to absorb the start up costs. This will definitely not help the pricing of corals and fish that's for sure. Oh well we'll see what happens??