Water Heater test

[ceagle]

Currently trying a test for the month to find out the electric costs. Have turned off the electric water heater for the month to do so, (& taking my bird baths elsewhere to do so, not to worry) ;> ... Anyways, with the water heater on (last month) I was seeing about 16 kwh, and with it off so far it's about 5 kwh ... so that thing takes about 1/4 to 1/3 of the monthly power. The refrigerator likely takes most of the rest, since the lights are all CFLs.

So... what to do? I guess consider one or two of those on-demand small water heaters someday I s'pose. And a smaller fridge :>

Comments

[jedd-marten.livejournal.com]

If you have peak-rate metering, the tank is still better than on-demand. I switch mine on for just 60-90 min. in the early morning before peak rates cut in and it's good for the whole day.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

ooo.. thanks for chiming in, martenny!
That's comforting to know that the part-time use of it does actually save moolah!... after its being turned off beyond a certain threshhold, I would think that'd be the case, yepyep! It is, alas, not as easy with the fridge, cuzzat can't be switched on n off willy nilly, lest the perishables might be inclined to perish... ;P
...Thusly, as I noted above, this two-part study into reducing costs has taken me to buying a much teenier T'Chall-fox-size refrigerator today, which is rated at about a tenth of the cost of the current one. *warbles happily*

As for our metering.. it's got peak and off-peak sectors, but is more forgiving in the Winter months since people aren't air-conditioning, they don't charge as much during the 10am-6pm hours if you use more than allocated in the first tier. Though I really try to stay in the first tier all the time if possibubble...