some background, i built a simple certified kitchen in the basement of my house. there's a growing demand for certified kitchens, at least around here. They are used by folks who have small businesses. a local kombucha maker is getting kicked out of the kitchen he presently rents and we talked today about him renting mine. I also have walkin powered by an ac and a coolbot and he would need to use about half of that. it would pretty much run all the time. i also use the walkin for the produce i grow here but not all year round. the walkin is about 6x8 and uses a 10-12,000 (i forgot which it is)btu ac that runs on 120v. it is insulated to at least r24 except that the door is just a regular steel insulated exterior door. a coolbot is a box of electronics with probes that allows the ac to cool down to the 30's. the ac isn't cooling all the time but cycles on and off like you would expect an ac to do. is there any way to estimate accurately how much power it would use? i have to come up with what i would charge him. he also said he is presently paying $300/month.
accurately estimating electric power use
- Thread starter randy41
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dave1949
Super Star Member
Good for you! We have a business incubator-type kitchen around here I have read about.
A Kill-A-Watt meter will accurately measure watts used over time and works with 120 volts. Around $25. There may be other similar meters for higher amperage uses.
A Kill-A-Watt meter will accurately measure watts used over time and works with 120 volts. Around $25. There may be other similar meters for higher amperage uses.
that's a good idea. i can just charge him for his usage.
Yea, if this is a standard plug-into-the-wall type 120v appliance, get a kill-a-watt type meter. Plug a device into it and it will tell you how many kwh the device has used over what period of time. It does lose the information if it gets unplugged or the power goes out (at least the one I have does). Cheap and easy.
Keith
dave1949
Super Star Member
Even if you just monitor the AC use of the cooler for a week, you will have a reasonable idea of the monthly use. If you are also using the cooler at times, that gets more complicated. You also have lighting, hot water, and stove/cooking to consider. It seems like it would easiest to just set a weekly or monthly price that covers you--once you have some idea of usage--and add that to the rent as a flat utility fee.
Scooby074
Super Member
There are relatively inexpensive meters for measuring power available. Some even offer the ability to monitor several circuits (like a sub panel) as well as the main panel (think apartment building where there is one meter, but several apartments and you need to monitor or bill each individually). These vary from $100 cheapies up to several hundred and even thousands. The more circuits you have to monitor or the higher quality of the units construction the more it will cost
There are also hand held multimeters meters and a growing number of Adrino based home built designs.
Ill put up a link in a minute. These are but a tiny few examples.
Arduino : http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/
"Cheapie" : http://www.theenergydetective.com/resproducts
: http://efergy.com/ca/products
Higher end: http://www.accuenergy.com/products
Of course if its a simple 120V load, something like a Kill A Watt is the cheapest solution, however if you were wanting to monitor the entire kitchen's usage and bill accurately for it, a more advanced solution is needed.
There are also hand held multimeters meters and a growing number of Adrino based home built designs.
Ill put up a link in a minute. These are but a tiny few examples.
Arduino : http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/
"Cheapie" : http://www.theenergydetective.com/resproducts
: http://efergy.com/ca/products
Higher end: http://www.accuenergy.com/products
Of course if its a simple 120V load, something like a Kill A Watt is the cheapest solution, however if you were wanting to monitor the entire kitchen's usage and bill accurately for it, a more advanced solution is needed.
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quicksandfarmer
Elite Member
Just include the electricity in the rent. The tenant is going to pay what he can pay. Whether you break it out into rent and utilities or just rent, the monthly number is the same. Since you're sharing the walkin anyway there's no way to charge just for his usage.
If you really need to know, you can buy your own watt-hour meter, just like the power company has on the outside of your house except you own it. They're about $25 on Ebay. It probably too late now, but the thing to do would have been to put the whole kitchen on its own panel when you built it, and put a meter on that panel.
If you really need to know, you can buy your own watt-hour meter, just like the power company has on the outside of your house except you own it. They're about $25 on Ebay. It probably too late now, but the thing to do would have been to put the whole kitchen on its own panel when you built it, and put a meter on that panel.
Industrial Toys
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Yes, I think it is just too complicated. The cost to accurately figure it out may be worth more then the electricity. Agree, to just add on a "good" amount to cover it. The problem arises, if the tennant starts to plug in electic heaters because they think it's too cold!
The problem with offering flat rate utilities is that too often the tennant doesn't give a dam and leaves lights on for instance. Oh, using a window shaker AC is another issue too!
Having tennants is usually a PITA!
The problem with offering flat rate utilities is that too often the tennant doesn't give a dam and leaves lights on for instance. Oh, using a window shaker AC is another issue too!
Having tennants is usually a PITA!
Phils
Platinum Member
Randy, I know you are asking about power usage, but I'd suggest you also explain the scenario to an agent or representative of your homeowner's insurance company. Who's insurance would be covering the kombucha maker's property? Does your policy allow you to rent space to commercial operations?
Better to get those answers now than find out bad news after a serious loss.
Phil
Better to get those answers now than find out bad news after a serious loss.
Phil
didn't even think of this. thanks phil. i had some other longer range plans about using my house for more commercial type stuff and this may be an issue.
