Power consumption issues?

[StephenBishop]

We just got our electricity bill for the last month, and it was staggering - nearly $400!

My wife and I have been trying to figure out where it all went, and I'm wondering if all the video conversion I've been doing lately may account for it. I mean, since I figured out how to get it all up and running I've had my computer running virtually non stop saving and converting a pile of HI-8 video and old PAL tapes, even getting it running overnight on some of the longer stuff. I know much of it is very resource heavy and undoubtedly bumps up the power usage on the computer, but to that extent? The previous month's bill was less than half the amount.

Maybe it's just that we've had a particularly hot spell in Florida over the last month or so and the air-conditioner's been running harder, but I'd really be interested if anyone could offer some facts on the amount of juice all this conversion can use up. To clarify the point, the power supply is a Thermaltake 420 watt unit.

Thanks in advance

[Marty2003]

I doubt leaving a computer on for a few extra hours a day could double your power bill. I believe the typical computer consumes about 150 watts. the same as 1 1/2 light bulbs. You should at least turn your monitor off when you're not using it, but even that is only about 50 watts depending on the monitor type.

[Bodyslide]

Good Article here on your question :

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/hardware/do_you_need_to_tu..._at_night.mspx

Lab tests done by Dell show that a PC running Microsoft Office uses 42.7 watts, McCall says. If it runs continuously at that rate for 365 days, at 7 cents per kilowatt-hour, the power consumption costs would be $26.18 for the PC and $45.99 for a regular monitor, for a total of $72.17 for the workstation.
These totals are for the entire year.

[edDV]

It's summer

But consider this. A typical PC uses ~0.5-5A at 120VAC depending on activity. At peak 5A = ~600W (e.g. a full up gaming or multicore encoding computer).

In CA our power rates ($0.09-0.46 per KW/hr) exceed yours because of poor state power policy. Here, assuming peak usage a PC running flat out 24x7 for a month during peak summer loads would consume ~ 14.4 KWh/day or 432 KWh/mo. or $198 at peak $0.46 rates or ~$100 at more reasonable $0.25 peak rates.

But, if that dumps into the electric air conditioning load, figure a 1.6-2.5x multiplier for the A/C power to cool the PC.

Here it cools in the evening so windows can open. In FL this may not be the case.

So figure a 24x7 blow torch computer can consume $150 to $500 in power a month when A/C is factored in at peak summer power rates.

So factor all this by the actual encoding power load of your computer and your local power rates.

PS: Actually higher because I underestmated the air conditioning load.

[StephenBishop]

Well, we're going to find out what's going on one way or the other. We've arranged for the power company to send someone out to assess any isues we may be having.

I'm not so sure it may be the computer after all, at least not to that extent. I do as a matter of policy turn off the monitor overnight when I leave the computer to record or process. I should have pointed out that my computer in general is on for at least 16 - 18 hours per day, as I work from home and use it constantly. Apart from the extra loading the conversion work is putting on the computer, I'm in essence adding 6 - 8 hours use per day by leaving it on overnight lately for the conversion process.

Still, does anyone know if there are any utilities out there that can monitor or assess power usage on your computer as it's running? I figured someone somewhere must have written some kind of utility that can be fed all the relavent data of what you have loaded on board. Together with an appropriate probe like the one I have for my ASUS mobo it should be able to make some estimates based on load?

As for other issues that may be contributing, I went around yesterday and checked other heavy duty power devices, and the internal unit for our AC does seem to be icing up a lot around the insulated pipes and tray for the filter, something I've never really noticed before. We're going to get some people in to look at it.

For those interested, the bill says we are using 95 KWH per day at present, whatever that means. It's about 50% up on the same time last year.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

My electric bill was steady for at least eight months $115-$125.

Last month it was $180.

I have no idea why, as I haven't purchased more "electrical" stuff.

I watch the same ammount of tv, I use my computer just like the last month. I even use the AC the same time.
Maybe the AC has to work harder to compensate for the intense heat....... but THAT much?

[StephenBishop]

Hi Medico,
Funny.....we're in Orlando as well. Like I said, maybe in part it's because we've had a warm and humid month recently. Though why the AC should be icing up inside seems a bit odd.

[StephenBishop]

Hi again Medico,
I think we may have an answer that applies to both of us - at least in part.

My wife rang Florida Power, and found out they've bumped up their rates quite substantially. It used to be a flat rate of 3.9 cents per KWH. They've now changed it to 4.9 for the first 1,000 KWH, then 5.9 for everything thereafter. As our total was nearly 3200 KWH, you can see we got slugged at the higher rate for much of our usage.

Those new rates probably account for the extra $60 or so you paid out. As for us, I still think there's a problem elsewhere, but it at least explains in part the steep rise in cost.

Now all we have to do is turn off the AC and open the windows, start washing our dishes by hand, and resort to hanging our clothes outside to dry!! But turn off the computer - no way!

[Webster]

You are not the only one that was suprised by FPL's bill. As you have already found out that the rate was increased almost twice the normal rate. This was explained (poorly) in the bill you received. This increase was dues to the adjustment FPL have to make for increase fuel cost and to recover the cost from hurricane Katrina damages (Yeah, they make money, but when they have losses, they passed it to the customers) That is not all, just wait until they get the approval for another increase from the PSC for adjustment of hurricane Wilma damages and for cost of upgrading the current grid system (ie metal/concrete poles placement, underground wiring upgrade, transfer station improvement etc.... ) . You may want to power your computers with bike-generator
By the way, don't you just love the current FPL commercial on TV these day??? Everytime I see it on the tube, I just want to throw a brick at the TV
P.S. as for the icing on the coil, it could be that your AC is low on freon. The system may need a top off charge. Or it could be that your air filter is clogged which limit the amount of air flow to the system caused it to freeze the moistures and iced up the condenser. This would cause the system to work much harder and may contribute to your higher power usage.
As a side note, the thing that use the most power in the home are:
AC
water heater
Cloth dryer
Oven
All the rest of the appliances like TV, computers, radios, light ect... use very little power as compared to the above power hogs.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

As a side note, the thing that use the most power in the home are:
AC
water heater
Cloth dryer
Oven
All the rest of the appliances like TV, computers, radios, light ect... use very little power as compared to the above power hogs.

The kitchen itself if its electric, is also a power hog. And everybody uses it every day!.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Good Article here on your question :

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/hardware/do_you_need_to_tu..._at_night.mspx

Lab tests done by Dell show that a PC running Microsoft Office uses 42.7 watts, McCall says. If it runs continuously at that rate for 365 days, at 7 cents per kilowatt-hour, the power consumption costs would be $26.18 for the PC and $45.99 for a regular monitor, for a total of $72.17 for the workstation.
These totals are for the entire year.

I wonder if this study was made on a standard 15" monitor... I don't even want to think on the 19" ones.

[Webster]

I don't even want to think on the 19" ones.

The kitchen itself if its electric, is also a power hog. And everybody uses it every day!.

Actually, even if you used a 19'', it wouldn't cost that much more. A 19" would use roughly 100-175W/hour.
Let assume at the higher end range:

175Wh x 24h = 4.2KW/day
x 365days = 1533 KW/year
x $0.07/KW = $107.31/year

And if it is from FPL then even if you pay at the highest rate at $0.059/KW you would only pay $90.45/year.

As for the kitchen, the electric stove/oven, dish washer are the only things that use the most power. Appliance like microwave (even if you have one that is rated 2,000W) really do not use that much power when you taken duration of usage into consideration. I mean when you use the microwave, how long do you really use it? 5-30 minutes max? I don't know about you, but for me, I only use the microwave for heat/re-heat food or drink. I don't cook with the microwave.
So if you use for 30 mins @ 2,000Wh. You only use 1KW of power. And that is $0.059 per use. That is not much compares to when you baking a turkey in your oven for 4-6 hours.

P.S. perhap it is time someone lend StephenBishop a hair dryer to fix his AC icing problem...
P.P.S. It took me a while to figure out the last two words of your sig. It is funny

[3Simon7]

I have this

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review



@StephenBishop
What kind of electric meter is on your building?
If you have a Demand Meter pay VERY close attention to
the way you use your electricity.