Carigamers

Tech Talk => Hardware, Tweaking & Networking => Topic started by: TriniXaeno on April 23, 2011, 10:02:55 PM

Title: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 23, 2011, 10:02:55 PM
Please vote in the poll above based on how much you pay T&TEC for electricity.

A recent spate of massive bills had me wondering what was eating up all the current at home. Was it the PS3, 360 and Wii? Maybe the gaming PCs? Or perhaps a malfunctioning fridge in the kitchen?

I began to search online for a remedy to the situation. Some technology that could help identify the power vampires that are sucking up the energy and leaving me out of pocket.

Came across these little gems

1) Kill-a-watt

A device that tells you how much electricity any given device is using. Been around for years and has built almost a cult following amongst power penny pinchers.

Only problem, this needs to be used "in line" with a 110v outlet. That means 220v appliances can't be checked. Works great for everything else though.

http://www.p3international.com/products/p4460.html (http://www.p3international.com/products/p4460.html)


2) The Energy Detective 5000 (TED for short) and Current Cost Envi

These two monitors connect to your breaker panel and read power usage for the entire home via electromagnetism. Great for seeing when the AC kicks in or the water heater ramps up to full load.
There have been studies that show once a household is aware of their electricity usage in real-time, they cut costs by about 10 - 20%. The reduction is due primarily to increased vigilance (taking off lights, unplugging devices not in active use, taking shorter showers, etc...).

From reviews, the TED is pricier but more accurate and comes with native ethernet support while the Envi, though cheaper is easier to setup and uses wireless but requires an add on "web bridge" component for ethernet.

http://www.theenergydetective.com/ (http://www.theenergydetective.com/)

http://www.currentcost.com/index.html (http://www.currentcost.com/index.html)

3) BlueLine Power Cost Monitor and Black & Decker Power Monitor

BlueLine has taken a different approach with their Power Cost Monitor. This device keeps an eye on your power meter, literally. It connects right on the face of the physical meter and reads the usage directly from the rotating dial or from an optical port (depending on the make and model of your meter). The data is broadcasted to a wireless display unit so you can see the energy consumption from the comfort of your living room. Assuming that your meter is located very close to the house. Being a wireless setup, it will not penetrate the many concrete walls typically found in a trini abode.

The Black & Decker Power Monitor is almost identical and functions in similar fashion. I suspect this is nothing more than a re-branding exercise. The devices are so similar that they both can use the same Wifi gateway accessory. An add-on worth mentioning (and purchasing) if you wish to transmit statistics to your computer or an online tracking tool for detailed analysis. Be warned, the gateway actually costs more than the monitor itself.

Unfortunately, this eyeball concept does not work with all power meters. You need to be very careful in ensuring yours is compatible. There are many reports of alignment issues making it difficult to setup due to the precise nature of reading the infrared signal out of optical ports on some smart meters. My T&TEC meter has the port located on the top (an Itron) and the glass is obscure (covered in dust and grime). Your mileage may vary.

http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/ (http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/)

http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/EM100B.aspx (http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/EM100B.aspx)

4) Google Power Meter & Microsoft Hohm

Google is encouraging people to track their energy usage, use less and save money by offering the power meter service for free. Their monitoring tool allows you to view your home's energy consumption from anywhere online.

If you have a supported smart meter on a smart grid, you can connect it to your google account via your service provider and away you go. If you don't (like us Trinis with T&TEC) then you can get into the power meter game using the TED 5000, Envi or Power monitors to provide those statistics to google.

http://www.google.com/powermeter/about/ (http://www.google.com/powermeter/about/)

Microsoft is getting into the game as well with Microsoft Hohm. Urging home owners to take steps to become more energy efficient. The service is similar to Google's, being free and allowing users to track their electricity usage online. Service maybe limited to residents of the United States only.

http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/ (http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/)

Pro Tip: If you plan to use Google's Power Meter or Microsoft-hohm, native ethernet support would be a big plus as you will not require having a PC on 24/7 to send statistics online. (Leaving a computer on 24/7 would sort of defeat the goal of saving money on your electric bill now wouldn't it?) If you skimped on the ethernet, consider using a laptop or netbook instead of a desktop PC to stream the data online...draws a lot less power.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 24, 2011, 07:32:51 PM
cool info there, however, which did you end up choosing?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 28, 2011, 11:39:20 PM
Well I plan to start with the Kill-a-Watt.

It's the cheapest of the three hard ware solutions. (US$20-30)

As a side note, took a look at the power usage of the consoles and a typical gaming PC:

http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-356-2.htm (http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-356-2.htm)

Scary figures there (well except for the Wii, that just sips on current)

Definitely not gonna leave on the xbox 360 and PS3 at those consumption levels.

Gonna need to enable some heavy power saving features on our gaming PCs as well.

Based on the T&TEC bills, we are averaging about 1800 kilowatts a month or 60kilowatts a day. Thats a whopping $1500 every billing cycle (two months)

A lot of energy guzzlers lurking about the house and with that Kill-a-Watt, I'm gonna find 'em.

If that fails to do the job, then the TED 5000 or Envi will get a chance to play energy sleuth at the TriniWyatt household. They cost much more though (about US$150-250), so only gonna spend that dollars if I really need too. The idea is to save energy and money after all. lol
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 29, 2011, 08:05:03 AM
wda @ light bill...

we hardly ever cross $200 per bill (more like < $150)

I've of course been a great advocate of those "ice-cream" light bulbs, the energy efficient kind, that uses about 17W to the average 60W bulb...

Also, I hate to see lights on when no one's in the room, so I'm always turning off lights when no one's in the room.

That said, we'll be moving in to the new house next month, so I'll keep an eye on the bill with the additional rooms and pump etc.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 29, 2011, 08:33:22 AM
$200 per bill? wow.

That's bloody amazing.

Do you have the old style meter? With the rotating wheel? Or the new digital ones with the RF signal?

Most of the people I have heard with such low bills are still on the old meter.

We've got the entire house kitted out with those low watt fluorescent bulbs. I think there are only two incandescents hanging around still and three decorative halogen bulbs which are pretty much never used.

What I would give to get a $200 bill like yours.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 29, 2011, 10:32:29 AM
new meters, at the apartment and at the new house...

Have you also stopped to consider that someone may be tapping your electricity? Stealing current, but it's somehow being reflected on your bill?

Did the bills suddenly jump out of proportion, or was it a steady increase?

Why not have an electrician investigate... to be getting a $1500 bill every two months, that's insane!!!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: VirtueTT on April 29, 2011, 10:44:14 AM
Quote from: Netizen1 on April 29, 2011, 10:32:29 AM
new meters, at the apartment and at the new house...

Have you also stopped to consider that someone may be tapping your electricity? Stealing current, but it's somehow being reflected on your bill?

Did the bills suddenly jump out of proportion, or was it a steady increase?

Why not have an electrician investigate... to be getting a $1500 bill every two months, that's insane!!!

$200?! You sure YOU not tapping electricity??? I live in a house with 4 other people. Literally nothing is "on" between 7 AM - 5 PM except for a water heater, a blink modem, 2 UPS and probly the cordless phones. Our bill goes between 900-1500 every 2 months. Thats with an AC or 2 on every night or so. But to me that jus seems reasonable for what we do. OH and when W1nTry decides to leave his machine folding all day long.....
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 29, 2011, 11:31:42 AM
Put it another way, but my in-laws, the max I ever saw their light bill was about $300...

Water heater, pump, washing machine going every other day (don't ask!), no AC, no high end rigs or gaming systems... just one average PC that is used on FB every night

So you tell me, what's normal?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Arcmanov on April 29, 2011, 11:50:27 AM
Well, for me alone, with 2 PCs, 1 on 24/7, a fridge, washing machine once a week,
consoles on 'occasionally'...my bill is usually around $430 per cycle (60 days).

I am going to get one of those Kill-a-Watt meters, because I still think my bill is too high.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Redfish on April 29, 2011, 01:38:31 PM
The light bill at home is never more than $600......

In my house is 4 A/C that hardly ever used since the place is generally cool, my rig on a 1000VA ups, a basic rig that everybody else uses that has 2 UPS as the blink modem and wireless router and too many other things are in that one area, my laptop which rarely goes on if I am at home and my sis laptop. A water heater, washing machine, dryer, two door fridge, big deep freeze to store meat, water pump on 24/7 for pops talapia, electric gate etc etc...

Wyatt you hadda have some sorta electricity monster hiding in your house or something because so much money on power in 2 months??? nah man...really hadda check that out to see if a man pipin yuh current from next door or something lol
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Redlum08 on April 29, 2011, 02:12:31 PM
Wyatt, perhaps its your meter thats wrong and T&TEC overcharging you...LOL
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: W1nTry on April 29, 2011, 02:37:58 PM
Actually 600 is pretty damn good, my gf apt was 400 last cycle (2 months) and its just 1 AC, 1 TV, 1 fridge and otherwise its just lights. No washer/dryer/etc.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 29, 2011, 02:48:43 PM
how 'bout we add a lil poll to this discussion?

What's your average light bill?

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 29, 2011, 10:19:20 PM
great idea, poll added.

The more feedback on electricity bills and general appliances/computers/people in the home, the better.

yeah boy redlum, it really sounding like T&TEC hitting me a six for a nine yes.

Looks like Virtue is the only person getting hit with a bill close to mine. His usage pattern sounds very similar as well, so maybe thats the reason.

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Crixx_Creww on April 29, 2011, 10:39:24 PM
wda , i wasnt takin this seriously
but after seeing men with under 400 and man like wyatt with 1500
something hadda be wrong
i know my bill used to be in the 1500 + range
largely attributed to acs running alot when people home.

As part of the poll, ask people to do a serious round up of the electrical equipment that is left on / used.
Washer and dryer, electric stove, Fridge and freezer, big sound system left on "stand by"
Alarm system, acs, tvs, chargers, pcs, laptops, tvs, monitors, speakers
yadda yadda
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Jdcrys_Shinkuu on April 30, 2011, 12:21:51 AM
um my rent is 1100. per month with utils included lol :D so yh.... i got ac n lasco fan plus my gaming rig 750w ps3 n wii o yes n a 32inch lcd...

God is Good All The Time!!!  lol
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 30, 2011, 08:01:28 AM
wth, JD you paying less in rent than I pay for electricity, lol

Nice detailed info there Hard OC. You really game by candlelight? How come the lights are only on for 10 minutes per day?

Crixx, you vote? Cause I ain't see anyone vote in the range above $1500 yet. Nice to know Virtue and I aren't the only ones paying blood money to T&TEC.

Last bill: $1478.29

Meter Type: Digital (see picture below)

Occupants in house: 5

Appliances running 24/7:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 Fridges
1 Deep freeze
Cordless Phone
Logitech Z5500 (I need to start taking this one off, I know)
Logitech X230 (likewise)
Wireless Router
4 Security Cameras (could be vampires)
1 DVR system (for the security cameras)
Flow Cable Modem

Other Appliances/Electronics:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 AC units (1 used often during the day, the other two only at night)
Washing Machine
Dryer
3 Ceiling fans (one used often, two seldom used)
2 Lasko fans (used often)
2 Gaming PCs (used often)
3 laptops (one used often, two seldom used)
1 52" LCD (runs pretty often)
1 27" CRT TV
Wii, 360 & PS3 (360 is used regularly for Halo by my son, the rest are seldom used)
Tankless Water Heater
Water Pump
3 cable boxes (I read where these are notorious electricity vampires)
Microwave
Toaster oven
Toaster
Clothes Iron
Rice cooker
Printer (practically never used)
Wahl shaving Machine (used every 3 days for about 5 minutes at a time)
Curling Iron
Hair Dryer

Lighting:
~~~~~
As mentioned before, 95% of the lights are low watt compact fluorescents (about 24 in total). 2 incandescent and three halogen make up the remaining 5%.

There are two dusk to dawn lights outside (maybe vampires)

Now that I've listed everything out and staring at the list, does seem like we would use a lot more electricity than Hard O/C. Not sure if its seven times more though.

Crixx, what did your list/occupants look like when you were getting hit with those $1500+ bills?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 30, 2011, 09:43:38 AM
WTF! $105? For all that??

nah....something really wrong here.

These are the rates from T&TEC

First 400 kwh @ $0.26/kWh: (sub total $104.00)
Next 600 kWh @ $0.32/kWh: (sub total $192.00)
and $0.37/kWh for ever kWh above that.

So for her bill to be $105 she has to be using about 400 kilowatts every 2 months, that's like 200 a month or 6.66 kilowatts a day.

that house being powered by hell fire or what?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: VirtueTT on April 30, 2011, 11:11:23 AM
Quote from: Hard O/C on April 30, 2011, 10:32:20 AM
Yeah i just checked the last bills dey.

Mine was $181.80 for 550 kwh

Hers was $100.78 for 314 kwh.

I getting rob somewhere in that system yes.

You not alone on that one =S... I cudnt find the light bill but our dad is ALWAYS complaining about it. SO either we just have too much shit in this house, or something just isnt right... I still blame it on W1nTry's computer tho. I dont think anything else in this house is that power hungry except for maybe the dryer. I'm goin to experiment with something, taking the water heater off during the when no one is home to use it. Keep suggesting it but my dad never took me on. Lets see if i can prove him wrong.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on April 30, 2011, 11:24:57 AM
you telling me, if my bill could be reduced to $750 a cycle, that is $4500 in savings for the year.

Let the hunt begin!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Redfish on April 30, 2011, 12:26:21 PM
Having your water heater on all day really impacts on the amount of power that is consumed unnecessarily. I wish to have one of those solar panel water heater solutions when I get my house some day to not have to deal with that crap.....

If I'm not mistaken sound/speakers suck a bit of juice (forgot to mention I recently got a Z-5500) but I use my headphones all the time to listen to music or while gaming.

It would still  be interesting to see what appliance really is sucking the most power though, so Wyatt get crackin when you get use meter thingy  lol
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on April 30, 2011, 03:03:56 PM
ok, so I spoke to a T&TEC friend of mine, he says they can come check someone's meter, but if nothing's wrong, then they charge you for basically wasting their time... however, if it is a suspect meter, you'll be in for some compensation from the utility.

I'll ask the guy some more questions about saving on the light bill when I see him tomorrow.

That being said... alot of the power vampires are listed in this very thread...


Basically, anything with a heating element draws an inordinate amount of power. So yes, you can save a bundle by switching to ... by switching those heater types off when no one's using them, or by simply line drying the laundry.

My wife and I area also keen on calling those solar heater people whose ads/flyers are all over the newspapers these days.



Oh and one more thing, just walk around the house, take note of the power rating (W) on your stuff and add it up, you'll see where those vamps are in no time!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 02:26:31 PM
wow...so i'm the only one who pays a $2000+ bill? Only last 2 months managed to bring it under the $2k figure... :/
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: W1nTry on May 02, 2011, 02:36:02 PM
Quote from: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 02:26:31 PM
wow...so i'm the only one who pays a $2000+ bill? Only last 2 months managed to bring it under the $2k figure... :/
You running a ice factory oh what?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: madmunkie on May 02, 2011, 02:40:31 PM
^^WTMC... I haven't been following this thread so forgive me if i outta timing... but is that $2k elec bill residential as in for one household?? If so that is thru da ROOF!... if its not residential forgive my outta timingness, lol.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: madmunkie on May 02, 2011, 02:44:07 PM
Quote from: W1nTry on May 02, 2011, 02:36:02 PM
Quote from: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 02:26:31 PM
wow...so i'm the only one who pays a $2000+ bill? Only last 2 months managed to bring it under the $2k figure... :/
You running a ice factory oh what?

either that or ur neighbour theifin yuh current... check quick :D !!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: VirtueTT on May 02, 2011, 03:02:25 PM
Quote from: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 02:26:31 PM
wow...so i'm the only one who pays a $2000+ bill? Only last 2 months managed to bring it under the $2k figure... :/

LOL shiv. After u tell me where u living, i didnt think they even bothered to check if ppl using electricity or not lol! I joke... But yea.. wda u does be doing so in that house?
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 08:57:02 PM
It's residential. It fluctuated just over 2K for about 6 months. After changing all three AC units and connection to the house the bill dropped to 1.8K at the end of Feb. Nothing else was changed, the water heater is almost always off, the dryer is propane so thats not an issue.

The bill i paid this evening was just over $1300. I'm not 100% sure that the AC units were the cause of this drastic drop over the last two months but i'm not complaining. :D
The only think i can think about is the three bulbs that i destroyed while playing  Kinect Sports. I haven't changed them yet, just spaced the others out so the blown and lighting ones look like a pattern. :/ lol
Oh, and i unplugged an unused UPS...

Total KWh consumption this billing 3,302, such a nice figure after so long. The hunt continues ;)

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Notnice on May 03, 2011, 07:48:56 AM
Quote from: shivanandrs on May 02, 2011, 08:57:02 PM
It's residential. It fluctuated just over 2K for about 6 months. After changing all three AC units and connection to the house the bill dropped to 1.8K at the end of Feb. Nothing else was changed, the water heater is almost always off, the dryer is propane so thats not an issue.

The bill i paid this evening was just over $1300. I'm not 100% sure that the AC units were the cause of this drastic drop over the last two months but i'm not complaining. :D
The only think i can think about is the three bulbs that i destroyed while playing  Kinect Sports. I haven't changed them yet, just spaced the others out so the blown and lighting ones look like a pattern. :/ lol
Oh, and i unplugged an unused UPS...

Total KWh consumption this billing 3,302, such a nice figure after so long. The hunt continues ;)



what A/C u have before and what u have now because i feel my a/c's is pulling to much power.

Our bill does be around 2k to 2.2k because the amount of power tools we use to make stuff + 2 a/c's that runs alot almost whole day.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Snowtiger on May 03, 2011, 10:58:04 AM
Yall read my mind with this exercise yes... I now got a bill there for $600, the 3 bills before that were $200 avg. New type meter since last year, so wondering wtf really going on..
Prev bill showing a consumption of 232, new bill showing 1566.
So, some changes are being made..
Almost all my lights are the "bright white" compact fluorescents, which I hate with a burning passion. I really need to find where selling the "soft white" compacts.
One gaming PC w/ 28" flatscreen monitor/ big speakers, was always on, now turning off whenever I not using it.
One cable modem
One Wireless router
One up/down freezer fridge, not much I can do about this..
One up/down washer/dryer...I have been doing a lot more small loads of laundry throughout the week. Need to do bigger loads/only dry when I have a full load.
Microwave, used maybe 5-10 mins a day.
20 gal water heater. I would have to run a plug up onto my kitchen counter to be able to turn this off, (which aint happening), I'm thinking about turning it down a bit.
2 ceiling fans, one always on during the day, the other always on at night. Now going to be left off unless it's farking hot.
4 blackberry/blue ant chargers, these are going on a power strip and turning off when not in use.
One 1600 BTU aircon. I seriously can't sleep without this, I'm compromising and leaving it off until I am about to pass out at night and switching it off as I roll out of bed in the morning.
One old ass JVC stereo. I know this uses current like a hog with all its blinking lights when it's on "standby", it too is going on a power strip and turning off when not in use.
Apart from this, I'm turning off lights when leaving the room etc etc... I hope this works!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: W1nTry on May 03, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
check the Home Store in Barataria (seen by Brydens on the east/west highway). They had the soft white last time I went.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Notnice on May 03, 2011, 08:08:41 PM
Quote from: Hard O/C on May 03, 2011, 11:16:29 AM
^^Where it is u living that u need a/c on in d night?

A fan and an open window is all i need yes.

Could be like me i live in a box without windows
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Snowtiger on May 03, 2011, 10:17:18 PM
Quote from: Hard O/C on May 03, 2011, 11:16:29 AM
^^Where it is u living that u need a/c on in d night?

A fan and an open window is all i need yes.

Right on the main road in Maraval..plenty road noise !!

W1nTry - Thanks man, I going to pass tomm and get some..
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: shivanandrs on May 04, 2011, 07:09:56 PM
Quote from: Notnice on May 03, 2011, 07:48:56 AM
what A/C u have before and what u have now because i feel my a/c's is pulling to much power.

Our bill does be around 2k to 2.2k because the amount of power tools we use to make stuff + 2 a/c's that runs alot almost whole day.

Yeah i did a good bit of welding in Feb, thats most likely why there was not much difference back then.

We had this Chinese (i think) brand 'Chunlan'. They worked really well for the last 8 yrs. I guess because of the age they lost efficiency. All 3 units still work but the metal frame and panels are badly corroded.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Mez on June 18, 2011, 10:08:17 AM
LOL i suspect I would kill allyuh with what we have running all day.
We have 4 Ac's 3 of which on most all the time
1 water heater, 2 pumps (1 to pump the water from the road to the house)
6 Chest Freezers,
2 Fullsize Chillers
2 laptops
3 tvs
3 fans
washing machine and dryer running like an ethiopian
I dont think we've had a light bill less than $2000 in 20 years
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on June 18, 2011, 12:01:42 PM
WTF

hoss, I'd expect your bill to be like $5000
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on June 25, 2011, 01:58:12 PM
A bit stunned by this latest development in the smart meter space.

Google is shutting down their PowerMeter service.

More details here:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20074160-54/google-axes-powermeter-a-bad-sign-for-others/ (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20074160-54/google-axes-powermeter-a-bad-sign-for-others/)

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: AnnWai on August 30, 2011, 07:18:54 PM
Wait... did you say cable boxes are electricity vampires? ...cuz our own is on 24/7 ...can't remember the last time it was actually turned off.

Also... I cannot sleep in complete darkness so the bathroom light filters enough light into my room. The only other light that stays on at night is the balcony light.

All lights are off during the day. Lights are only on if someone is in the room.

I have 2 tanks in my room, so the pumps run 24/7.

The TV is on often.

I rarely use the computer, if at all...
Brother uses computer often.

Cell Phones are always charging.

No A/Cs

I think our bill fluctuates between 1000 - 1500 (Gotta check, not sure lol).
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on August 30, 2011, 08:39:03 PM
ouch, I feel the pumps are the primary culprit in that scenario.

Ours just creep-ed up to $1800+ despite my efforts to cut down.

Gonna require some more hard core measures.

like bathing with cold water, lol
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on August 30, 2011, 09:02:46 PM
hahaha, just rub it in why don't ya.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: AnnWai on August 31, 2011, 09:37:39 AM
Oh wait.. sorry my bad. Just asked mom and she said its around $200... baahahaha. (why did i think 1000 - 1500?)

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on August 31, 2011, 09:43:44 AM
$200! Damn.

That's nearly $10,000 less a year you pay in Electricity that we do?

You what I could do with $10,000 extra spending money?! steups

Enough is enough yes. Drastic action shall commence.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Redlum08 on August 31, 2011, 10:40:05 AM
Quote from: TriniWyatt on August 31, 2011, 09:43:44 AM
$200! Damn.

That's nearly $10,000 less a year you pay in Electricity that we do?

You what I could do with $10,000 extra spending money?! steups

Enough is enough yes. Drastic action shall commence.

Stop downloading PRON overnight Wyatt, and don't leave the PS3 on, that will cost you big time :P
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on August 31, 2011, 11:50:30 AM
hhahhaa @ nrop.

But all kicks aside, that's exactly one of the things I intend to tackle. The primary desktop is on pretty much 24/7. Gonna replace that with a laptop setup attached to the big screen.

Since they sip on power.

The wife is attached to my gaming rig. The only way I can ween her off is by making it "look" like the desktop. Complete with external keyboard, mouse and monitor. lol

Spending money to save money.....sigh.

But if I can shave $500 off the bill every two months, it will pay back for itself in a year.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on September 16, 2011, 12:55:11 AM
Since the Black & Decker power monitor didn't quite deliver on the goods, got the Kill-a-Watt device to add to my electricity bill cutting arsenal.

(http://www.carigamers.com/cms/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21109.0;attach=8752;image)

Started by testing a regular Lasko fan.

The result, TT$26 a month, if left running 24/7.

Not bad at all.

Next stop, the deep freeze!

By the end of the month, I should have some meaty info on the power consumption of all the major electronics and appliances (110v) around the house.

Kill-a-Watt cannot handle 220v equipment unfortunately.

For that, I'll need to upgrade to the TED.
Title: Re: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Arcmanov on September 16, 2011, 10:19:27 AM
Ay... I may want to borrow that to test my two always-on UPSes.  I need to know once and for all where the power-hog is.

...but then $470 for a 60-day cycle doesn't seem that bad.




Swyped from another Galaxy using Tapatalk
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on September 16, 2011, 11:01:21 AM
Yeah no probs.

Did the Deep Freeze, TT$22.00 a month

and one of the Fridges: TT$28.47 a month

Strange that the fridge is sucking more than the deep freeze.

Next stop, the gaming computer.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Notnice on September 16, 2011, 12:58:18 PM
I'll have to get one of that Kill-a-Watt soon myself
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: SPK on September 16, 2011, 01:17:44 PM
Right now I'm just waiting on our next billing cycle to see what kind of damage I'll have, due to some recent additions to the household (AC units, pool pump)...currently it stands at about $550 per cycle.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: W1nTry on September 16, 2011, 02:53:40 PM
Expect closer to 1K now
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on September 19, 2011, 08:02:25 PM
One of the small AC units: $118.00
Gaming Desktop PC (System Unit alone)    $49.00
26" Asus LCD: $11.00

So the gaming PC on with the monitor costs more to run than the deep freeze, the fridge, the laptop and the fan combined. lol

Talk about an energy hog.

Still, it pales in comparison to the AC unit. Air Condition burns through current like whoa. And this was the smallest unit in the house. The others are twice the size. (Can't check those because they run on 220, Kill-a-watt only does 110v devices)

Safe to assume, they'll swallow more than half of the monthly bill if left on 24/7.

Time to purchase some Lasko fts (savings)
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on September 20, 2011, 12:51:29 PM
A/C is a funny thing, it draws more power when the compressor's on. The compressor comes on when cooling... therefore, if you have it set to really low (<20 C) then you're really sucking up electricity.

Some weeks ago there was an write-up on Air Conditioning in one of our local papers. The advice given was basically to keep the units about 2-3 degrees cooler than outside so they don't burn through your pockets. Also, if you've got a timer built-in, then set it to HOT (30 C) during the day so the comp. never comes on, then an hour or two before you expect to get home, have it go down to the temp. you want, thereby having the house cooled by the time you get home. Drastic changes in temp. also cause the comp. to work overtime to cool the house, so try to gently cool the place down, rather than have it go from 32 -> 22 in one shot.

See if you can find it in either the Express or Newsday, a weekend earlier this month
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on September 20, 2011, 04:19:29 PM
or you can just buy a lasko fan.

Did my dlink wireless router for kicks. A reasonable TT$1.51 per month

Next up, the gaming consoles and 52" LCD.

Lasko Fan    $26.71
Deep Freeze    $22.00
Silver Fridge    $24.00
Lenovo Laptop    $6.00
AC unit Brad Room    $118.00
Gaming Desktop PC    $49.00
26" Asus LCD    $11.00
HP Laptop    $6.80
Wireless Router    $1.51
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: madmunkie on September 21, 2011, 08:27:15 AM
Quote from: TriniWyatt on September 20, 2011, 04:19:29 PM
or you can just buy a lasko fan.

Did my dlink wireless router for kicks. A reasonable TT$1.51 per month

Next up, the gaming consoles and 52" LCD.

Lasko Fan    $26.71
Deep Freeze    $22.00
Silver Fridge    $24.00
Lenovo Laptop    $6.00
AC unit Brad Room    $118.00
Gaming Desktop PC    $49.00
26" Asus LCD    $11.00
HP Laptop    $6.80
Wireless Router    $1.51

Good job man, I'm interested in seeing the results for these especially since the PS3 slim does not have an off switch and is basically on standby 24/7. Keep us posted
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on September 21, 2011, 08:20:35 PM
Ah...you make a good point. I'll test it in both modes then.

While fully engaged and while sitting idle in standby.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 03, 2012, 11:37:14 AM
Did the water pump, a whopping $180 per Month.

That's the highest energy consumer tested at home to date.

Ridiculous.

Also did the HomeTheatre altogether: It came in at a reasonable $60 per month. (Wii, PS3, 360, HTPC, cable box and 52" LCD)

Usually only one of the consoles/HTPC is on at a time so the results are as expected.

Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Netizen1 on January 03, 2012, 12:05:13 PM
Ha! I leave my pump off until water goes, and even then, we only turn it on for showers (and quick ones at that)

I guess my water conservation is also saving me dollars on the light bill!!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Spazosaurus on January 03, 2012, 12:05:57 PM
2k+ a month here. 4 split a/c units, 3 chillers, a BIG fridge, another smaller one, a 6'x3' chest deep freeze as well as another tall ass standing deep freeze plus other industrial type equipment, not counting the 5 or 6 pc's and two big screen tv's.

Still, I do what I can to reduce power. Switched to a LED tv and leave only my server machine running while away from home. Still, just a drop in the bucket.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Mez on January 03, 2012, 01:41:27 PM
LOL and yet in all dat space, Awesome cyah find no skill nowhere!
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 03, 2012, 03:58:10 PM
I still find your bill low for the amount of equipment you running there Awesome.

On the plus side, actually had a reduction in my bill since getting the Kill-a-Watt and being a bit pragmatic with the energy hogs at home.

Replaced the "always on" gaming PC with a laptop. Changed another CRT to an LCD as well.

In addition to being more frugal with AC, Lights and the water pump.

Actually replacing the water pump as we speak with a newer (and hopefully more energy efficient) model.

The old unit ran at 800watts, the new one is 400watts. Should see a marked reduction. Fingers and toes crossed.

Not really much options left to squeeze savings from my bill.

Would be satisfied with $1000.00 - $1200 but that might be wishful thinking
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: Arcmanov on January 04, 2012, 02:08:17 AM
...and I am yet to get this Kill-a-Watt.
*frown*

Swyped from another Galaxy with Tapatalk
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 04, 2012, 08:02:33 AM
lol, you can swing by for a borrow today or tomorrow.

I'll walk with it to work.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 19, 2012, 10:10:58 AM
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Here are the results from all the effort around conserving electricity at our home. Going from a high of $1860 to a low of $1561.00 (that's a difference of $300 if you do the math)

*Note, the Dec - Jan period isn't finished yet, still got 12 days to go but I expect it will end up a good $100 less than the period before.

Savings $$ ftw

The kill-a-watt has paid back for itself in one billing cycle. Knowledge is power.

For 2012, I'm going to really push it and see if we can get down to $1000 a month. (wishful thinking but as W. Clement Stone said, aim for the moon)
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 19, 2012, 07:44:23 PM
lol, wish I could get your meter installed at my house.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniLink on January 20, 2012, 09:48:38 AM
Any Advice on which local company to get an estimate on powering my PC room with solar pannels? I think i read somewhere that it's being passed in congress to lower the costs of these units locally.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 20, 2012, 05:55:44 PM
Would love something like that myself!

Last I checked when we were doing some extensions on the house, it was prohibitively expensive to install solar panels.

Let me know what you discover.
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniLink on January 22, 2012, 11:23:40 AM
I Googled it and came across this local site, but it doesn't tell you the costs involved, anyone with expertise can please search up on how much it'll cost to run a home and reply back so us who are interested can invest in this energy alternative. http://www.ttsmartenergy.com/index.html
Title: Re: How to reduce your electricity bill & help save the planet (and your pocket!)
Post by: TriniXaeno on January 22, 2012, 01:45:17 PM
small world. I actually know the guy who runs that!

Will give him a holla and see how far he's come along in providing solutions.

Heard the government is also offering subsidies for new installs but can't confirm.
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