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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Tim on October 08, 2007, 03:06:46 PM
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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! (http://images.craigslist.org/0101120104090103052007100361ce12b11f62d3218a003e56.jpg)
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:lol:
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But think of all the money you'll save on the heating costs in the winter!
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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! (http://images.craigslist.org/0101120104090103052007100361ce12b11f62d3218a003e56.jpg)
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I wonder what it would be then?
luckily she doesn't really care, she loves listen to music on my setup
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I wonder what it would be then?
(http://img.alibaba.com/sitemap/archives/images/qu50054640bo_Form_Body_Pulse_Start_Metal_Halide_Lamps.jpg)
:yack:
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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yeah, my bad... sorry for the confusion :P
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I wonder what it would be then?
(http://img.alibaba.com/sitemap/archives/images/qu50054640bo_Form_Body_Pulse_Start_Metal_Halide_Lamps.jpg)
: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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I wonder what it would be then?
Her hair dryer. Always blame the hair dyer.
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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.
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found another free tweak, playing with speaker placement :)
I think I finally found the sweet spot in my new place today.
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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
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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
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Oh I know, I constantly played in my old place. Just finally had some time to really mess around in my new place.
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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.
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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 ;)
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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
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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