What to do about a high electric bill?

[prugs]

Do not have the meter checked out!!!
I recently (2 months) have my 210gal tank going with all of its lighting. Well the 1st electric bill was estimated at $125. The 2nd actual bill was $225.
So I called the electric co. & told them I think my meter is bad (running too fast). The elect co. says my meter is 14years old. When they get older they run slower (yeah right). They said they would be happy to have a tech come out for free & check out the meter.
The elec co. tech comes to the house & says that as the meters get older, they tend to run slower. But he will check it out if I wish. After he checks out my meter, he says "I have some bad news", "I have to replace your meter". I'm thinking he's going to say they owed me a couple thousand dollars for the last 14 years. Then he says "Your meter is reading 5% slow". DOHHH

 

[Freed]

I just today had an on peak/off peak meter installed. I will be running my lights for my tanks on the off peak hours along with dishwasher, washing machine A/C when necessary. This should save me about $60-$80 per month. We'll see if it's worth it or not in a month or two.

 

[MadTownMax]

OUCH! - how many watts do you have over your tank??

 

[Freed]

4 tanks with a total of 2100 watts of lighting.

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7874588#post7874588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MadTownMax
OUCH! - how many watts do you have over your tank??

210gal tank w/75gal sump:
3 x 250watt HQI's w/electronic ballasts on for 6hours, a 70watt HQI w/electronic ballast for fuge on for 7 hours, Reeflo Dart closed loop approx 185 watts on 24/7, Posioden ps-2 return pump approx 110watts 24/7, 2 x Genx2400 pumps for skimmer approx 100watts total 24/7, 5 x DC fans approx 50watts 24/7, 3 x maxijet 1200's approx 75 watts 24/7, 2 x 25watt UV sterilizers 24/7, 200watt heater that rarely turns on, maxijet 600 for kalk reactor less than 30 min a day, maxijet 900 for calcium reactor 24/7, Toms aqua lifter pump 3watts 24/7. Thats on my 210gal tank w/75gal sump.
On my 37gal tank: 55watt CPF on for 10 hours, 2 x 620 Seio's 24/7, maxijet 600 on 24/7, 15watt A/C cooloing fan on 10 hours, 150watt heater.

I think whats killing me is the extra large dehumidifier running from all the evaporation. :lol:

 

[smketyr]

Tom,

All that wattage............kinda like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation :lol:

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7875223#post7875223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smketyr
Tom,

All that wattage............kinda like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation :lol:

It's a good thing I have a big closet behind the tank for all of the wiring/powerstrips/ballasts/water storage/etc/etc.

But seriously if the dehumidifier is running & I turn on the vacuum cleaner (only 2 items on a dedicated circuit), the 15amp c.b. trips. A friend has a watt meter, he's going to let me use. I may be looking at a different dehumidifier.

 

[gooch]

I wish my bill was that low. Last month was $330 and that was the lowest bill I have had in about four years.

I only have two tanks running, 2- 250 hqi and 3-150 hqi's.

I have gone through three dehumidifiers in the last year.

Just wait until I plug in the 400. But then the other two tanks come down so it should only go up slightly.

 

[prugs]

Well believe it or not I found the problem to my electric bill. It's my 40 pint/day humidifier that is 4-5 years old.
That sweet noise maker sucks 7.3 amps, that's as much/maybe more than my MH lighting. Plus it runs more than 6 hrs/day.
I have found my savior:
http://www.thermastor.com/prod_santafe.htm

Just need to find a good price on one.

 

[johns]

Hey Tom. Let me know if you find a source for something like that. Might be looking for a new dehumidifier as well.

 

[srlumaye1]

This unit STILL draws 6.8 amps. Unless it can suck out more water per hour than your old one (and thus run less often), it will not gain you much???

Steve

 

[srlumaye1]

Further review of the spec sheet states it removes 100 pints/day compared to the 40 pint/day unit you have. Thus that should help a lot...

Steve

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7899609#post7899609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johns
Hey Tom. Let me know if you find a source for something like that. Might be looking for a new dehumidifier as well.

I am going to call the company to see if they have scratch & dent models, or a source nearby. Best price on the internet is over $1110 delivered (ouch).

Any HVAC guys out there that think they could help?

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7900728#post7900728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by srlumaye1
Further review of the spec sheet states it removes 100 pints/day compared to the 40 pint/day unit you have. Thus that should help a lot...

Steve

Yeah, thats what I'm talking about, high efficiency.

How about a group buy!!!!

 

[johns]

Yeah, thats what I'm talking about, high efficiency.

How about a group buy!!!!

exactly which model are you looking at

 

[prugs]

Looking at the standard santa fe model, that the link takes you too, with all the specs. The santa fe rx is a couple hundred more.

 

[superlazy]

on peak/off peak meter

Whats that?