[Anthony Guzzi]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most power
then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea to get a
clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure the current
flow for things, and figure out how many watts things using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?


-Anthony-

 

[Roy Q.T.]

Anthony: You could figure out the wattage with your current measurements
and the formula for watts.... But ,

I can tell you from experience that your problem is easier than you
think to resolve:

I was getting 50-75$ every billing cycle and i thought that was much
since I hardly use my big appliances, so I changed all my Incandecent
Bulbs to Compact Fluorescents, believe it or not my electric bills have
dropped dramaticly to an average of 28$.

You would be shocked if you saw what a single 100Watt bulb does to your
meter.... I had 2 fixtures using 3/60W = 180W each & 3 fixtures using
2/60W bulbs =120W each, I Changed Them All, now all individually don't
add up to 100W., anyhow you understand. (about 45 & 30watts each now &
good lighting without the costly monthly expense.

That., plus curb & disconnect wallwart transformers & trickle or standby
current applainces with power strips when not needed and you'll see a
dramatic change in your bills to.


got some 13w's at the 99cent store some 15w's at home depot., no cons,
other than the drawer full of 60w bulbs which i will replace when I move
out };-)

 

[TimPerry]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most power
then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea to get a
clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure the current
flow for things, and figure out how many watts things using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?


-Anthony-

search for kill-a-watt meter

its low cost direct plug in to wall outlet. easy to use and understand.
measures everything you want to know.

 

[Charles Perry]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most power
then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea to get a
clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure the current
flow for things, and figure out how many watts things using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?


-Anthony-

If your apartment has its own electric hotwater tank....there is your
culprit. Hot water heaters are normally the single largest consumer of
electricity in a house. Make sure it is well insulated (buy one a hot water
heater blanket) and turn down the thermostat. These two things will save
quite a lot of energy.

Charles Perry P.E.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most
power then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea
to get a clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure
the current flow for things, and figure out how many watts things
using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?


-Anthony-

Before spending any money, look at the wattage ratings
for the electrical devices you use. The ratings are
usually printed on a label on the device.

Ed

 

[Rowbotth]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most power
then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea to get a
clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure the current
flow for things, and figure out how many watts things using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?


-Anthony-

Motors and anything 240 Volts will be your biggest culprits.

Anything that is 240V can usually be controlled - wait for full laundry
loads; do cooking with toaster ovens and microwaves; etc. Minimize the
number of times that you open your refrigerator and stare into it while
trying to understand the basic principles of quantum physics.

A 100 watt light bulb if left on for 24 hours will consume 2.4 kWHr of
electricity - which probably costs you about 10 cents per kWHr, or about
24 cents per day per light bulb. It takes a long time to pay for a
flourescent fixture at that rate. Also the constant irritant of having
to wait for the damned thing to make light.... So if you do like your
mother used to nag at you and shut it off when you are not using it, you
will save the money and keep the convenience.

Or what?

HR.

 

[Palindr☻me]

Hi. The power bill at my apartment is larger than I would like, and
myself and my roomates are trying to figure out what uses the most power
then we can figure out where to go from there. I got the idea to get a
clamp-on ampmeter and an AC line splitter, and then measure the current
flow for things, and figure out how many watts things using, using v*a=w.

Is this a good way of figuring this out?

One thing to do is to switch everything off and see if the meter is
still registering some consumption.. There is a remote possibility that
a common area, or neighbour's circuit has been incorrectly connected to
your metered supply. It has been known.

 

[Roy Q.T.]

The way i see it, if you could afford your own Watt Hour Meter you
wouldn't bother over a few extra $10's or $20's on your electric bill.

With that in mind: The compact fluorescent come on instantly (shopping
around I found some really good 15watters @ a 99¢ store) and curbing
usage where easy to (do it) [i even shut off my entrance sensor switch
when I'm home] has done a great difference for me., [Discipline Fellows]
but, I would consider looking into Sue's analysis that there might be a
tap and you're also paying for the hallway or other tenants electricity.

 

[Schweinkolben]

have a meter with a moving disk you can see?

Then unplug most everything, then plug in one thing at a time with it on.
The faster it spins the more power it uses.
You can measure it directly with the meter, keep the item on for 5 min and
notice the difference on the power meter then times 20 to get hourly power
use.

 

[Charles Perry]

have a meter with a moving disk you can see?

Then unplug most everything, then plug in one thing at a time with it on.
The faster it spins the more power it uses.
You can measure it directly with the meter, keep the item on for 5 min and
notice the difference on the power meter then times 20 to get hourly
power
use.

You would have to turn off large loads for this to work (water heater, HVAC,
etc).

Charles Perry P.E.

 

[Anthony Guzzi]

If your apartment has its own electric hotwater tank....there is your
culprit. Hot water heaters are normally the single largest consumer of
electricity in a house. Make sure it is well insulated (buy one a hot water
heater blanket) and turn down the thermostat. These two things will save
quite a lot of energy.

Charles Perry P.E.

Ah, yes. I thought of that too, except out hotwater heater is powered
by gas.

 

[Anthony Guzzi]

Motors and anything 240 Volts will be your biggest culprits.

Anything that is 240V can usually be controlled - wait for full laundry
loads; do cooking with toaster ovens and microwaves; etc. Minimize the
number of times that you open your refrigerator and stare into it while
trying to understand the basic principles of quantum physics.

A 100 watt light bulb if left on for 24 hours will consume 2.4 kWHr of
electricity - which probably costs you about 10 cents per kWHr, or about
24 cents per day per light bulb. It takes a long time to pay for a
flourescent fixture at that rate. Also the constant irritant of having
to wait for the damned thing to make light.... So if you do like your
mother used to nag at you and shut it off when you are not using it, you
will save the money and keep the convenience.

Or what?

HR.

I think I have come to the concusion that our clothes dryer is the
culprit, as I know it is very inefficient, but alas we rent, and the
landlord doesn't do anything about to fix it.


I have already replaced all the lights with compact flourescents, all
25. I don't really notice the half second they take to turn on.
Perhaps if yours take longer than that, the ballast in it is bad. Good
thing they're so cheap.

 

[krw]

I think I have come to the concusion that our clothes dryer is the
culprit, as I know it is very inefficient, but alas we rent, and the
landlord doesn't do anything about to fix it.

You can go a long ways to "fixing" a dryer by making sure it's clean.
Take a vacuum and suck up an lint that's escaped past the screen into
the dryer and vent hose.

I have already replaced all the lights with compact flourescents, all
25. I don't really notice the half second they take to turn on.
Perhaps if yours take longer than that, the ballast in it is bad. Good
thing they're so cheap.

Lighting is in insignificant part of the typical electric bill.
Personally I *hate* CFs and only use them in the basement where they
might be forgotten on. Fluorescents take quite a while to come up to
full brightness too, longer the colder it is.

 

[Roy Q.T.]

Glad you took my advice maybe with the savings the dryer won't hurt
much.

I have a washer/convection dryer, if i use it more than twice a month it
raises my bill more than I am comfortable paying., so i use it wisely,
it could be a problem with room mates and different wash needs., they do
haul a lot of energy you will have to compromise or figure out how much
exactly is at cost and stay within your colective budget., every now I
just accumulate em in a bag & then i go to the laundromat.

 

[Charles Perry]

Glad you took my advice maybe with the savings the dryer won't hurt
much.

I have a washer/convection dryer, if i use it more than twice a month it
raises my bill more than I am comfortable paying., so i use it wisely,
it could be a problem with room mates and different wash needs., they do
haul a lot of energy you will have to compromise or figure out how much
exactly is at cost and stay within your colective budget., every now I
just accumulate em in a bag & then i go to the laundromat.

You are joking right? The electricity to run your own dryer should be MUCH
less than what the laundromat costs to dry the same amount of clothing.

Charles Perry P.E.

 

[Roy Q.T.]

yeah, but it doesn't come out on my bill. let's see 2 Large Machine
loads 4$ plus about 4$ to dry about 8$ now if i did four loads on my
washer dryer., My bill would hit the roof., or through me off budget.,
onc a month at home is okay.

ALright ! I just don't like paying anything over 50$ ... why take
chances

 

[Charles Perry]

[email protected]
says...


With MY motor installed, that puppy would hum
like a soing machine.. savings galore.
Northwest tm.

No reason to try to reason with Roy. He will spend $8 to avoid having his
bill go up by $2; all because he doesn't want his bill over $50. Now that
is some interesting economic theory.

Charles Perry P.E.

 

[Roy Q.T.]

Charles; according to your calcs., it would be 2$ x 4, I would have to
do 4 loads instead of just two., probably the $ame, but out of pocket
not to my accounts budget.

 

[Charles Perry]

Charles; according to your calcs., it would be 2$ x 4, I would have to
do 4 loads instead of just two., probably the $ame, but out of pocket
not to my accounts budget.

Actually, $2 was for 4 loads. Do a google search and you will find a
calculator (several actually) that allow you to estimate how much it costs
to rund certain appliances.

Charles Perry P.E.

 

[Roy Q.T.]

Nah, This machine i have is from Hell I Tell Ya., };-) it would boost up
my bill 80-100 $ in two afternoons doing 4-6 loads. I've done it
already.

I would get bad info from google .... perhaps they are in a deal with
the esco's