Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!
« previous next »
Pages: 1 2 [All]   Go Down

Author Topic: tubes and the electric bill  (Read 7084 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
tubes and the electric bill
« on: October 08, 2007, 03:06:46 PM »
I just moved into my girlfriend's place... she's been here for over a year and just sent this email.

Quote
Hey - I just got my Xcel bill and it's $XXX - that's the most it's EVER
been in that apartment even in the dead of summer running the a/c all
day. Are we using a bunch of energy on something?

Oops!
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2007, 03:14:34 PM »
:lol:
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline bgalizio

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3555
  • Gender: Male
    • http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/spyboychoir
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2007, 03:15:24 PM »
But think of all the money you'll save on the heating costs in the winter!
Logged

Offline Frank in JC

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 310
  • (formerly Frank M, but that guy forgot his pwd)
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2007, 03:39:21 PM »
It's not you, do the math.

Suppose you run the amp 60 hours a week, and on average, it draws 500W (which is probably twice the correct number).  In one month, that's 120 kWh.  Multiply that by your rate, say it's a whopping $0.10/kWh, and you're paying $12.  Use the real numbers and you'll see it's not your amp. 

She's not going to buy it, though.


Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 03:06:46 PM
I just moved into my girlfriend's place... she's been here for over a year and just sent this email.

Quote
Hey - I just got my Xcel bill and it's $XXX - that's the most it's EVER
been in that apartment even in the dead of summer running the a/c all
day. Are we using a bunch of energy on something?

Oops!
Logged
Favorite generic quote from Archive.org:
"This recording is SICK--it's almost as good as a soundboard!"

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2007, 03:43:56 PM »
I wonder what it would be then?

luckily she doesn't really care, she loves listen to music on my setup
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline anodyne33

  • You'll have that
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 14762
  • Gender: Male
  • All my life there's been the magnets.
    • Lucky
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2007, 03:57:46 PM »
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 03:43:56 PM
I wonder what it would be then?





:yack:

Logged
Pockets full of nickels and nothing left to eat, and I'm stuck behind a semi on Soniat Street.

Offline it-goes-to-eleven

  • Trade Count: (58)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 6696
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2007, 04:00:43 PM »
If you have access to the electric meter (you may not in an apt but maybe maint can let you in while they're working on-site) you can measure your own use. Multiple readings will allow you to isolate big draw appliances.   Seeing how everything adds up is an eye-opener. Maybe someone is stealing power from you.

This is the basic process I used:

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/measure.html

A friend lived in an apt complex that divided some utility use between residents in weird ways. A third party did the billing.  Stats were NOT provided to residents.  The cost for the third party billing agency was not disclosed (surely there was a cost). It was obviously a huge scam and the apt complex freaked out when my friend demanded meter readings.
Logged

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2007, 04:03:22 PM »
you know, I did the math and given the relatively low number that the bill was ($51) my amp could very well be bumping up the bill.

I think we can swing it :P
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline it-goes-to-eleven

  • Trade Count: (58)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 6696
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2007, 04:14:59 PM »
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 04:03:22 PM
you know, I did the math and given the relatively low number that the bill was ($51) my amp could very well be bumping up the bill.

$51 - then no big mystery. Definitely the amp.  Your original post said "$XXX" so I assumed it was at least $100.
Logged

Offline Frank in JC

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 310
  • (formerly Frank M, but that guy forgot his pwd)
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2007, 04:32:03 PM »
Yeah, I thought we were talking about three digits, but in that case...

Quote from: Freelunch on October 08, 2007, 04:14:59 PM
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 04:03:22 PM
you know, I did the math and given the relatively low number that the bill was ($51) my amp could very well be bumping up the bill.

Your original post said "$XXX" so I assumed it was at least $100.

Logged
Favorite generic quote from Archive.org:
"This recording is SICK--it's almost as good as a soundboard!"

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2007, 04:32:21 PM »
yeah, my bad... sorry for the confusion :P
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Stagger

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 645
  • Gender: Male
  • Yep I'm selling my 722-Wife always wins in the end
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2007, 05:01:23 PM »
Quote from: anodyne33 on October 08, 2007, 03:57:46 PM
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 03:43:56 PM
I wonder what it would be then?





:yack:



The tubes that keep on giving. I gotta try some HPS tubes in the Rogue!  >:D

On the other hand, she ha a bill of less than $50 running the AC full time in the summer!?! That is one damn efficent AC!
Logged
Selling: SD 722
Current Setup: AKG c34 > S42 > Kimber Hero > DR-680

Nikon D7000, SB-700, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6, Nikkor 50 f1.8D, Sigma 10-20 f3.5, and way too many do-dads to list...

Playback: Denon DVD3910>Audio Experiences Symphonies Tube Pre [Electro-Harmonix/12AX7 Gold Pin ]>Rogue 88 Amplifier [Genalex Gold Lion KT88s, ultralinear]>Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home & Martin Logan Depth i - AudioQuest Jaguar and CV-8 DBS cable, Panamax M7500Pro conditioner.

janka

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2007, 05:02:53 PM »
I've been anxious to get my next bill. I bought an Odyssey Stratos which is supposed to be left on 24/7. It's been on since I got it 3 weeks ago. We'll see if it stays left on in about a week when the new bill arrives.

Being in the northeast(especially NH) our power bills seem to be higher. Our average cost I think is around .12/.13 per KWH with the distribution charges and such.
Logged

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2007, 05:11:42 PM »
Stagger - that's just a window unit. This is Denver and the building is from the 1930's, no central air.

Janka - I've been leaving my amp on more lately. It takes 20+ to really warm up so I turn it on mid-morning and shut it off in the evening.
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Stagger

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 645
  • Gender: Male
  • Yep I'm selling my 722-Wife always wins in the end
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2007, 07:47:44 PM »
Window units are typically less efficent than central air. I know my bills went down when I went from my old place (window) to my new place (central) even though the new place is 2-3 times the size of the old one.
Logged
Selling: SD 722
Current Setup: AKG c34 > S42 > Kimber Hero > DR-680

Nikon D7000, SB-700, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6, Nikkor 50 f1.8D, Sigma 10-20 f3.5, and way too many do-dads to list...

Playback: Denon DVD3910>Audio Experiences Symphonies Tube Pre [Electro-Harmonix/12AX7 Gold Pin ]>Rogue 88 Amplifier [Genalex Gold Lion KT88s, ultralinear]>Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home & Martin Logan Depth i - AudioQuest Jaguar and CV-8 DBS cable, Panamax M7500Pro conditioner.

Offline Lil Kim Jong-Il

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 6498
  • large Marge sent me
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #15 on: October 08, 2007, 07:51:44 PM »
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 03:43:56 PM
I wonder what it would be then?

Her hair dryer.  Always blame the hair dyer.
Logged
The first rule of amateur neurosurgery club is .... I forget.

Offline cheshirecat

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1210
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #16 on: October 08, 2007, 10:27:03 PM »
It may actually be the heat that the thing throws causes you to need more AC to take that heat out of the air... double whammy of tube amps.

Actually with that said, a dynaco st-70 which has basically the same tube compliment has a 2A fuse meaning it can't draw more that ~240W... that along with the plasma TV puts out a lot of heat in my apt.
Logged
SB2 / Rega P1 > Modified Dynaco PAS2 > Modified Dynaco MK-IV monoblocks> Axiom M22 v2

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2007, 06:59:36 PM »
found another free tweak, playing with speaker placement :)

I think I finally found the sweet spot in my new place today.
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Chris K

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3141
  • Bound to cover just a little more ground
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2007, 07:39:52 PM »
damn. i would love to have an electric bill of only $51. mine are usually double to triple. you must not be home much.  :P
Logged
My gear: JK Labs AKG DVC > M10
              AKG 460 ck61/ck62/ck63 > DR-70D
             
A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business, live concerts.
-Elvis Presley

Offline Frank in JC

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 310
  • (formerly Frank M, but that guy forgot his pwd)
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #19 on: October 11, 2007, 07:57:03 AM »
Quote from: Tim on October 10, 2007, 06:59:36 PM
found another free tweak, playing with speaker placement :)

I think I finally found the sweet spot in my new place today.

Using the alternate taps on your output transformers and working on speaker placement are definitely not tweaks, they're fundamentals!

A tweak is when you put holographic foil under your toilet seat in an attempt to improve the sound of your listening room.   :P 

This is also a tweak, not to mention the authors themselves must have been tweaking when they wrote this:
http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/product/odl/One_Drop_Liquid.html





Logged
Favorite generic quote from Archive.org:
"This recording is SICK--it's almost as good as a soundboard!"

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #20 on: October 11, 2007, 11:15:24 AM »
Oh I know, I constantly played in my old place. Just finally had some time to really mess around in my new place.
Logged
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

janka

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #21 on: October 12, 2007, 11:06:44 AM »
Quote from: Tim on October 08, 2007, 05:11:42 PM

Janka - I've been leaving my amp on more lately. It takes 20+ to really warm up so I turn it on mid-morning and shut it off in the evening.

I got my new elec bill and didn't notice any drastic increase. So it's staying on like the manufacturer recommends. They claim hours/days for everything to reach it's full potential. When I first got it (used) I noticed a pretty big difference over the first week it was left on. I usually get in at least three hours of listening a day, rainy weekends much more. Basically, if I'm home there is music playing. If it wasn't for the daily use I'd feel guilty leaving it always powered up.
Logged

Offline JoeKiller

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 603
  • Gender: Male
  • Duo!
    • JoeKiller.com
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #22 on: October 12, 2007, 11:35:18 AM »
Global warming be damned, I'll run my shit all I want.  usually my bill runs in the summer around $180-$200 and that is with energy conservation!  Of course, my rate is like 12.5 per kw/h.  Oh yeah and I'm joking about the global stuff, my power is 100% wind  ;)
Logged
spc4>mme>mt

Archive List

Offline taosmay

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 208
  • Gender: Male
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #23 on: October 13, 2007, 07:48:19 PM »
Quote from: Chris K on October 10, 2007, 07:39:52 PM
damn. i would love to have an electric bill of only $51. mine are usually double to triple. you must not be home much.  :P

FWIW, my electric "bill" is $0, every month, every year, and I am home every evening and on weekends, but thats typical when you get all your power from the sun, while living completely off-grid...

Harold in Taos, NM
Logged
Beyerdynamic MC930's > GAKables > OCM Marantz PMD661
CA 14 cardioid mic's/CA 11 croakie mic's > CA-9200 > Edirol R-09HR

Offline Stagger

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 645
  • Gender: Male
  • Yep I'm selling my 722-Wife always wins in the end
Re: tubes and the electric bill
« Reply #24 on: October 13, 2007, 08:11:41 PM »
Quote from: taosmay on October 13, 2007, 07:48:19 PM
Quote from: Chris K on October 10, 2007, 07:39:52 PM
damn. i would love to have an electric bill of only $51. mine are usually double to triple. you must not be home much.  :P

FWIW, my electric "bill" is $0, every month, every year, and I am home every evening and on weekends, but thats typical when you get all your power from the sun, while living completely off-grid...

Harold in Taos, NM

I have a feeling thatwould not work so well in Chicago, Il /sigh
Logged
Selling: SD 722
Current Setup: AKG c34 > S42 > Kimber Hero > DR-680

Nikon D7000, SB-700, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6, Nikkor 50 f1.8D, Sigma 10-20 f3.5, and way too many do-dads to list...

Playback: Denon DVD3910>Audio Experiences Symphonies Tube Pre [Electro-Harmonix/12AX7 Gold Pin ]>Rogue 88 Amplifier [Genalex Gold Lion KT88s, ultralinear]>Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home & Martin Logan Depth i - AudioQuest Jaguar and CV-8 DBS cable, Panamax M7500Pro conditioner.
Pages: 1 2 [All]   Go Up
« previous next »
 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.212 seconds with 50 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF