Energy costs/AC?

[prof]

I have multiple tanks in my house and we recently replaced out AC. We expected a drop in our energy bills but no such luck. We are now in an arguement with the AC company about the quality of the system that we installed. Our issues lie in energy consumption and temperature.

Please let me know any stories that you have. Does anyone have issues keeping their house cold? Does anyone have a documented, my pump changed my electric bills by X dollars?

Thanks for the input,

Dave

[imported_admin]

Hey Dave,

Feel free to check out our very own Power Calculator (http://www.maast.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PostWrap&file=index&he ight=1400&page=calc) on the MAAST site.

You should get a pretty good idea as to where your costs are with that tool. Keep in mind though, especially if you're using MH lighting that the ballasts are never 100% efficient so you may want to figure your final estimated costs will be a little higher than your bulb wattage.

Chris ;)

[::pete::]

I have multiple tanks in my house and we recently replaced out AC. We expected a drop in our energy bills but no such luck.

You can buy the most expensive and highest rated AC unit out there, but if your house isnt sealed and insulated properly it wont make a difference.

My neighbor just replaced his and was told it would pay for itself in a couple years. Well, at the rate its going maybe 10 yrs.

[R.Allard]

bandera elect suxxxx my bill is arround 260-280 mo.
about 4 mo ago our co-op came up with all these charges and
we cant do a **** thing about it.
im looking into solar pannels on the roof of our new garage when we get it built.
Robert

[kaiser]

It might be a little too late now, but I always suggest to go with an A/C that is one step up in tonnage from what is called for. ie they tell You you need 3ton unit, get a 4ton. Shorter cycles will save You a little in the long run.

[Tim Marvin]

Check your rates, it could be the rate is higher in the summer and you haven't noticed a drop because the electricity is costing you more. I run halides, 2 dolphin 3000, a dolphin 6500, and numerous other pumps and equipment. My electric ran in the mid $200's last month. Down from high $400's last year. I replaced my complete forced air system and sold 4 400watt halides that I was running.

[VGB]

I burn three 400 watts halides an average of 8 hours a day. At seven cents a kilowatt/hour, its cost me about 25 bucks a month to power my tank.

The real issue with my power bill came with room AC required to cool the house fron the heat off the halides and the ballast.
I installed new AC last year and my power comsuption did drop. I used an average of over 3000KW/HRS before and my usage dropped about 15% from last year.

Rates are HIGHER and my bill remains about the same. Did you look at your bill in terms of dollars or KW/HRS?

[z28pwr]

I have multiple tanks in my house and we recently replaced out AC. We expected a drop in our energy bills but no such luck. We are now in an arguement with the AC company about the quality of the system that we installed. Our issues lie in energy consumption and temperature.

Please let me know any stories that you have. Does anyone have issues keeping their house cold? Does anyone have a documented, my pump changed my electric bills by X dollars?

Thanks for the input,

Dave

As praferty said if you don't have a well insulated house you won't see a diference in your electricity bill. Another thing is try not to keep your house colder then 76-77 since every degree below that is costing you lots of money.

[Tim Marvin]

I run my house at 77. I have 4 pumps and a 250w DE MH on the tank as well as 2 65w PC's. It is an 80 gallon corner tank custom built with a 25 gallon refugium that has another 155w of PC's on it. The tank stays a pretty constant 80 degrees.

[robertpower3]

****. you people keep your house hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o I don't think i'll ever need a chiller, i keep my house at 65 all the time.

[z28pwr]

****. you people keep your house hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o I don't think i'll ever need a chiller, i keep my house at 65 all the time.

Man I'd hate to get your electricity bill.

[TexasState]

I keep my AC at 70 to 75F in a 2 bed room apartment, the electricity has been $40 to $85 for the past year.

[z28pwr]

I keep my AC between 75 and 80 in a 1,734 SQFT home with insulated windows etc. And pay $175 a month now that the electricity went up in San Antonio. I'm sure i'd be well into the $200's if I kept it that cool.

[robertpower3]

I have a 1590 sq/f house and the a.c. bill is around $190 a month and it is worth it. :-D

[Jimnorris]

San Antonio here I come! 2,500 sq ft house @ 73 degrees 24/7 in Round Rock TXU hand delivers my $700.00 amonth bill!
Jim

[::pete::]

Jim

That could be a mortgage on a 2500sf house in SA. :shock:

[z28pwr]

San Antonio here I come! 2,500 sq ft house @ 73 degrees 24/7 in Round Rock TXU hand delivers my $700.00 amonth bill!
Jim

WOW, that's the monthly payment on a Used Viper :-D .

Have you tried changing your AC to 75 degrees to see what you electrical bill would be then ?

[adaminaustin]

I dont think he is that worried about the bill. Jim said on another post that he is thinking about adding 6 more 400w bulbs to his tank. :shock: now thats a bill.

[TexasState]

Some of you should look into buying your own power generator. You might be able to find some used commerical one out there.

[Jimnorris]

Your are right I am not worried about the bill. But for sure I will not be driving a Viper!
But then again I would rather have a reef tank than a Dodge!
Jim

[brewercm]

I'd rather have a proctologist named Dr. Hook than a Dodge. :shock:

[texasranchers]

What's wrong with a Dodge? But then I have a Reef and a Dodge. ;)

[z28pwr]

Your are right I am not worried about the bill. But for sure I will not be driving a Viper!
But then again I would rather have a reef tank than a Dodge!
Jim

I know it's not the most comfortable thing to drive and that the clutch is too close to the brake and that the 335's on the back follow every single line in the pavement but it's a nice car.

Jim, you may be to the point were adding your own generator/windmill will be cheaper :-D .

[Jimnorris]

Please don't get me wrong a Dodge/Chrysler is GREAT! I run a service department for Chrysler dealership and man do those Chrysler products make me happy! :D ;)
Jim

[alexwolf]

I also work at a Nissan/Chrysler dealership, and my mom has a Concorde that wont stay running. Who drives a Viper? :-D

[Texreefer]

Vinh, did you change your name because swt did??? :-o

[TexasState]

Some of you should look into buying your own power generator. You might be able to find some used commerical one out there.

[Tim Marvin]

You already used those lines Vinh. You have to think of some new ones now.

[TexasState]

Did I tell you how slow my internet is? It takes about two hours to complete a double post.
;0)

[AlienAnchovies]

im looking at spending around $11 more a month on the new nano, as of now its $5 a month with the seven gallon

[JimD]

I made a DIY radio operated line transfer mechanism that taps into my neighbors meter.

[Sherri]

:skeezy:

[oliver]

You guys are a bunch of whiners - I am paying $1300/month down here. My wife is running a lot of electric powered devices though - or maybe JimD is tapping into my service via Satellite.