Topic: tubes and the electric bill

[Tim]

I just moved into my girlfriend's place... she's been here for over a year and just sent this email.

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!

[Tim]

[bgalizio]

But think of all the money you'll save on the heating costs in the winter!

[Frank in JC]

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.

I just moved into my girlfriend's place... she's been here for over a year and just sent this email.

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!

[Tim]

I wonder what it would be then?

luckily she doesn't really care, she loves listen to music on my setup

[anodyne33]

I wonder what it would be then?

[it-goes-to-eleven]

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.

[Tim]

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

[it-goes-to-eleven]

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.

[Frank in JC]

Yeah, I thought we were talking about three digits, but in that case...

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.

[Tim]

yeah, my bad... sorry for the confusion

[Stagger]

I wonder what it would be then?

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

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!

[janka]

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.

[Tim]

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.

[Stagger]

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.