In article , "Mark & Mary Ann Weiss" wrote:

Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

That's true, but the problem is I have a constant 20A draw from four
computer servers running 24/7.


Consider:

20A * 120V = 2400W
2400W * 24 hr/day = 57600 watt-hours/day = 57.6 KwH/day
57.6 KwH/day * $0.08/KwH (estimated) * 30 days/month = $138.24/month

I believe you said in your original post that your electric bills are in the
range of $200-300 monthly. Thus, the computers account for roughly half to
two-thirds of your total cost. And *that* means that to make even a twenty
percent reduction in your bill, you need to (a) reduce your electricity
demands, exclusive of the computers, by roughly forty to seventy percent --
which is going to be very difficult -- or (b) turn off the computers.

Bottom line: you're doing this to yourself. If you're trying to run a business
out of your home, either move to a commercial building so you get commercial
rates, or quit complaining about paying residential rates for your
electricity.

If you're *not* running a business... then shut off some of the machines.
*Nobody* needs four servers 24/7 for personal use.

--
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

One of the biggest users is an electric hot water heater. You can reduce
this by placing it on a timer and taking showers every other day rather
than every day. (get a 7 day 240 V timer - link below)

We're oil-fired hot water and oil-fired furnace here. N/A.


Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

That's true, but the problem is I have a constant 20A draw from four
computer servers running 24/7.


Heating/air conditioning costs can be reduced by adding insulation and
replacing your windows with energy star double pane windows. Close off
rooms which are not used, install heavy drapes on windows.

The house is super-insulated. 6" wall studs, 1" foam, + 6" fiberglass, +
aluminum foil under the wallboard. Ceilings have 12" joists, 10" fiberglass
and 1" foam. Temp drop is very slow, even at -10ºF. The problem is our
electric bill, mostly, due to these computers. I'd like to find alternative
sources of energy for them.


Also post to misc.consumers.frugal-living (This group can give you all
sorts of money saving ideas...)

One model of water heater timer...
(Search for water heater timer)
http://www.energyautomationinc.com/ti040.shtml

Energy Star Web Site...
http://www.energystar.gov/


Good info! I'll peruse these tomorrow.


--
Take care,

Mark & Mary Ann Weiss

VIDEO PRODUCTION . FILM SCANNING . AUDIO RESTORATION
Hear my Kurzweil Creations at: http://www.dv-clips.com/theater.htm
Business sites at:
www.dv-clips.com
www.mwcomms.com
www.adventuresinanimemusic.com
-

Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

Im curious.... what kind of switch? A manual one....
or a timer based one?

Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

Im curious.... what kind of switch? A manual one....
or a timer based one?

One of the biggest users is an electric hot water heater. You can reduce
this by placing it on a timer and taking showers every other day rather
than every day. (get a 7 day 240 V timer - link below)

So on "shower days", set it to make enough hot water for your shower and to
go on (then off) just before your shower. Only warm (not hot) water will be
left in the tank after your shower and this will be sufficient for hand
washing for the entire day. (If you have a bunch of teenage girls in your
home, this will of course not work.)

On "non-shower days", set it to run for about 5 minutes in the morning.
This will make warm (not hot) water for the days hand washing.

Basically you are producing hot water for showers, but only warm water for
everything else. If your hot water is 30% of your bill and you are cutting
down on water heating by half or more, this could be a BIG savings on your
electric bill.

Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

Heating/air conditioning costs can be reduced by adding insulation and
replacing your windows with energy star double pane windows. Close off
rooms which are not used, install heavy drapes on windows.

Also post to misc.consumers.frugal-living (This group can give you all
sorts of money saving ideas...)

One model of water heater timer...
(Search for water heater timer)
http://www.energyautomationinc.com/ti040.shtml

Energy Star Web Site...
http://www.energystar.gov/

On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 22:05:31 -0500, "Mark & Mary Ann Weiss"
wrote:

I'm looking at $200/mo electric bills on average, even though I have stopped
using many heavy-draw appliances.

FWIW, If your studio is drawing half of the $200 bill, it's using $100
worth of electricity. If you are using the gear 160 hours a month,
that's about $0.63 an hour for power.

Are you charging enough in your business for your time?

Conservation efforts can be noble on other levels, but from the money
angle, is this worth your time and effort?

Barry

FWIW, If your studio is drawing half of the $200 bill, it's using $100
worth of electricity. If you are using the gear 160 hours a month,
that's about $0.63 an hour for power.

Are you charging enough in your business for your time?

Conservation efforts can be noble on other levels, but from the money
angle, is this worth your time and effort?

Barry

Not a business, really. Though I have done quite a few videos for my wife's
non-profit cultural dance organization, and a few small projects for some
outside clients. Mostly, over 95%, this is an intense hobby interest in
which I have invest $180,000 in software and hardware over the years. I'm
just growing concerned about the rapidly rising electric rates, as I hate
monthly drains that add up over time. If I can find a means to power even
one piece of equipment and then another, over time, from alternative
sources, then I'd consider those steps in the right direction. Money thrown
away on electricity is money I can't use to further my software and hardware
needs, which seem endless... :-)


--
Take care,

Mark & Mary Ann Weiss

VIDEO PRODUCTION . FILM SCANNING . AUDIO RESTORATION
Hear my Kurzweil Creations at: http://www.dv-clips.com/theater.htm
Business sites at:
www.dv-clips.com
www.mwcomms.com
www.adventuresinanimemusic.com
-

"Mark & Mary Ann Weiss" wrote:

-snip-
Not a business, really. Though I have done quite a few videos for my wife's
non-profit cultural dance organization, and a few small projects for some
outside clients. Mostly, over 95%, this is an intense hobby interest in
which I have invest $180,000 in software and hardware over the years. I'm
just growing concerned about the rapidly rising electric rates, as I hate
monthly drains that add up over time. If I can find a means to power even
one piece of equipment and then another, over time, from alternative
sources, then I'd consider those steps in the right direction. Money thrown
away on electricity is money I can't use to further my software and hardware
needs, which seem endless... :-)

You've got 180K worth of computer equipment & a 40 yr old refrigerator
that you say you're 'trying to save up to replace'.

You want more gadgets? Get a meter and put it on that old reefer.
Then replace it.

Jim

Jim Elbrecht wrote:


You've got 180K worth of computer equipment & a 40 yr old refrigerator
that you say you're 'trying to save up to replace'.




And that's making it real hard to keep focused on how to reduce this fellas
electric bill.


Either this joker has done one of the most successful trolls I've seen, or he's
dumb as a mud fence. What kind of joker has tens and tens of thousands of
dollars of electrical swallowing equipment and worries about a $200 + electric bill?





--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens, A.K.A.
Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the suspense.
(Gaz, r.moto)

Either this joker has done one of the most successful trolls I've seen, or
he's
dumb as a mud fence.

Just another **** stain.

"Mark & Mary Ann Weiss" wrote:

-snip-
Not a business, really. Though I have done quite a few videos for my wife's
non-profit cultural dance organization, and a few small projects for some
outside clients. Mostly, over 95%, this is an intense hobby interest in
which I have invest $180,000 in software and hardware over the years. I'm
just growing concerned about the rapidly rising electric rates, as I hate
monthly drains that add up over time. If I can find a means to power even
one piece of equipment and then another, over time, from alternative
sources, then I'd consider those steps in the right direction. Money thrown
away on electricity is money I can't use to further my software and hardware
needs, which seem endless... :-)

You've got 180K worth of computer equipment & a 40 yr old refrigerator
that you say you're 'trying to save up to replace'.

You want more gadgets? Get a meter and put it on that old reefer.
Then replace it.

Jim

FWIW, If your studio is drawing half of the $200 bill, it's using $100
worth of electricity. If you are using the gear 160 hours a month,
that's about $0.63 an hour for power.

Are you charging enough in your business for your time?

Conservation efforts can be noble on other levels, but from the money
angle, is this worth your time and effort?

Barry

Not a business, really. Though I have done quite a few videos for my wife's
non-profit cultural dance organization, and a few small projects for some
outside clients. Mostly, over 95%, this is an intense hobby interest in
which I have invest $180,000 in software and hardware over the years. I'm
just growing concerned about the rapidly rising electric rates, as I hate
monthly drains that add up over time. If I can find a means to power even
one piece of equipment and then another, over time, from alternative
sources, then I'd consider those steps in the right direction. Money thrown
away on electricity is money I can't use to further my software and hardware
needs, which seem endless... :-)


--
Take care,

Mark & Mary Ann Weiss

VIDEO PRODUCTION . FILM SCANNING . AUDIO RESTORATION
Hear my Kurzweil Creations at: http://www.dv-clips.com/theater.htm
Business sites at:
www.dv-clips.com
www.mwcomms.com
www.adventuresinanimemusic.com
-

On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 22:05:31 -0500, "Mark & Mary Ann Weiss"
wrote:

I'm looking at $200/mo electric bills on average, even though I have stopped
using many heavy-draw appliances.

FWIW, If your studio is drawing half of the $200 bill, it's using $100
worth of electricity. If you are using the gear 160 hours a month,
that's about $0.63 an hour for power.

Are you charging enough in your business for your time?

Conservation efforts can be noble on other levels, but from the money
angle, is this worth your time and effort?

Barry

See: http://oikos.com/products/special_const/apc/index.html
AC Solar Panels.