house electric question

PineRidge · Jan 27, 2005

Get some passive infrared (motion detector) light switches and install them. When she stops moving the lights will go out. 

Junk my guess is those light switch's would cost a heck of a lot more than leaving the lights on.

Around here we leave lights on all the time. I also leave radios blaring in the attached garage as well as the pole barn to deter theft. If they hear music they just might think someone is working. Gosh I hope they don't break in and steal my radios. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

SPIKER · Jan 27, 2005

I'm one that says TURN THEM OFF!

not as much for the few $ is saves but for the energy WE THE PEOPLE are using and wasting. not to mention the costs for replacement typical light bulbs last 600 ~ 1000 hrs. so leaving them on all day 24/7 means that they usually last (1000hrs/24hrs = 41 days, now yes turning on/ off does shorten life span but then lest figure a 100 watt bulb for cost) 100wattsx24hrsx1000hrs = 2,400,000 watts/1000 for Kw useage x cost10.5847perKW= $25.40cents in energy over bulbs life. so every time you replace a 100 watt bulb just remember that bulb costs you 26 bucks (25 in electricity and 1 buck for the bulb /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

here is easy formula it is easy as "PIE"

P Power (watts) = I (Current in amps) X Energy(voltage)

1000 watts = 120 volts x 8.33 amps if it was 220 and the motor (well pump) draws 10 amps then it's wattage would be 220volts X 10 amps = 2200watts.

a watt is a unit of measure over 1 standard earth hour now if you were else where in the univers it may change /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

anyhow start adding them up and you will see it takes quite a bit of power.

I have 2200 SF home 2 story (with basement) that I typically pay 35.00 per month for electrical, I have a farm house with well which I pay about the same for both have gas heat one forced air (city home) farm is simply dirrect fired non vented heat propane. so with furnace working or AC working it is usually 40/mo in the city if I run them alot. with farm in winter not running the well as much (not ther often) I pay 25.00 month. my womans city home she has teenager who HAS to have tv and stereo on at same time with at least 20 lights on is paying 75~100 per month. when she didn't have the girls there then costs was 40/month! that is cost differance of having someone who is turning EVERYTHING ON and leaving it ON does to the bill, doubbles it pretty easy... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

MarkM

Junkman · Jan 27, 2005

( My wife does the same thing, I will come in from the shop after dark and every light in the house will be on with her asleep on the couch.

I just go around and turn them off, know about that brain crosswired stuff Junkman speaks of so I don't even go there. )

I just spoke to the wife and I won't mention any names, but someone that reads TBN has already mentioned to her about my posting of her backing into the 3 driveway markers. I figure that by the time this last post about her gets back to her, the lights will be on, but she will be turning my lights off with a rolling pin. Guys, lets remember that what you read here stays here. The TBN is like a secret society and we shouldn't be letting outsiders know what we post. If I am mysteriously missing in the next couple of days, then that means that I am recuperating at the hospital, or worse, the wife is in jail for murdering me. My bet is that her defense will be either PMS or justifiable homoside..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scott_in_ny · Jan 27, 2005

a quick calculation i did.

at my rate of 10.5847/kwh

lets say:

1- 75 w bulb costs .79385 cents per hour - multiplied by 14 hours per day = 11.1139 cents - doesnt sound like much i know...............but multiply that by at least 10 other lights that are on and that = $1.11 per day.....

yea i know not much but:

$33.00 per month and then $400.00 per year.

and this estimate is on the low side of the things she keeps running.
sometimes a TV in each room etc......

i bet i could cut almost $50.00 per month off if we just tightened things up a bit.

i am just trying to figure out where all our money is going.

i know i probably sound like the cheapest guy this side of the Pecos but i am trying to do some budgeting and the money is just going...... going...... gone.

thanks
scott

DUMBDOG · Jan 27, 2005

All of those pennies do add up, it takes time but they do grow into tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PineRidge · Jan 27, 2005

If I am mysteriously missing in the next couple of days, then that means that I am recuperating at the hospital, or worse, the wife is in jail for murdering me. My bet is that her defense will be either PMS or justifiable homoside.....


Maybe she should clobber you with a man-hole cover, they can call it sewer-cide. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KiotiJohn · Jan 27, 2005

I found a good rule of thumb on my electric company's site. A 100 watt incandescent light bulb, left on 24/7 costs about $5/month to operate. I have changed most of my interior lights over to florescent bulbs where a 25 watt bulb puts out the same light as 100 watt incandescent. Worth a shot? John

Cliff_Johns · Jan 27, 2005

( my electric bill is usually in the $200.00 to $300.00 a month. )

If you look closely, you may have some improperly installed wiring that's letting the electricity leak out onto the ground.

Also, sometimes, if the wire takes too tight a turn, the electrons don't make it around the corner and fly off into the conduit and go banging around a finally they pop out through the boxes (which sounds remarkably like mosquitoes) -- more leakage.

Finally, watch out for that "full circuit" gag that the electricity companies play on unsuspecting consumers. You should have a meter on the electricity going into the house, but you should also ask for a meter on the electricity going out so you only pay the difference, that is, for the electricity you actually use.

Cliff

bebster · Jan 28, 2005

In addition to the cost of electricity, leaving a light bulb (or other elec device without powersave) will use up its useful life. Bulbs only have so many hours in them, so you might also have to be replacing them more often. So that's an additional motivation to turning them off when not in use.

I also think your joint conservation effort might be more effective if a part of the savings were put into the dinner-out budget.

theboman · Jan 28, 2005

Scott, I'm sorry if I'd mistaken your post. I thought you were having to justify you could afford to plug in your block heater.

Boy, I know about pinching pennies to save nickles. I'm 43 and come July I'm getting a brand new baby to make me a first time daddy! Trying to payoff all those bills (tractor included) and one stupid credit card before the baby comes along.

So, if I got you into a tizzy..or the rest of this group.