Electric Bill - Time-of-Use
- Thread starter alrha
- Start date
it just started effective June 1 (they installed the meter in May and is effective the first month after that or June 1 in my case).
I didnt get a bill yet, so i cant really say how much i saved or not by being on it, but as far as electric usage, my lights/AC/dryer/dehumidifier/etc are all on mainly during off-peak, and of course my tank runs on off-peak too. the main issue is how expensive peak hours are in the summer and that is also the time that you need the AC which draws tons of power, so it's double kill. so far i have not had to run my AC much during the day. I set up some plug in timers to some devices in my house so that they operate during the off-peak and shut during peak times.
again, i am not yet sure if it will be cheaper for the summer, but if i at least break even in the summer, then the savings in the 8 winter months will make it worth it.
I didnt get a bill yet, so i cant really say how much i saved or not by being on it, but as far as electric usage, my lights/AC/dryer/dehumidifier/etc are all on mainly during off-peak, and of course my tank runs on off-peak too. the main issue is how expensive peak hours are in the summer and that is also the time that you need the AC which draws tons of power, so it's double kill. so far i have not had to run my AC much during the day. I set up some plug in timers to some devices in my house so that they operate during the off-peak and shut during peak times.
again, i am not yet sure if it will be cheaper for the summer, but if i at least break even in the summer, then the savings in the 8 winter months will make it worth it.
Is there a fee involved for signing up (or signing off if you decide it's not for you) for this plan?
If one is not signed on to the plan are there still peak and off-peak rates for electricity? And since the summer is coming to an end would it still be worth singing up? My MHs are on from about 6am to noon because generally that's when I can feed the fish. With the new set up I'll have actinics which will be on for a few hours before and after that, but the bulk of the MHs is on during off-peak. I'm wondering if it's worth it!
If one is not signed on to the plan are there still peak and off-peak rates for electricity? And since the summer is coming to an end would it still be worth singing up? My MHs are on from about 6am to noon because generally that's when I can feed the fish. With the new set up I'll have actinics which will be on for a few hours before and after that, but the bulk of the MHs is on during off-peak. I'm wondering if it's worth it!
- Location
- Queens, NY
There is no fee to sign-up or to sign-off.
The only restriction is that if you sign-off, you cant sign back on for i think 12 months or 18 months. This is basically to keep people from continually signing on and off (i would think).
Being the end of the summer makes it even more worth it. From Jun-Sep the peak rates are very high, but from oct-may they are not as high (the off-peak rates remain the same). The way i had once calculated it showed that if the electricity is used evenly 24/7 the summer bills would be a little higher and the winter bills a little lower coming to a savings over a 12month period. so as long as you consistently use more off-peak than peak, it should be worth it. especially if you can run heavy appliances (such as a washer/dryer, dehumidifier, electric heater, etc) off-peak as well.
The regular plans do not have peak or off peak rates.
Here is the total breakdown of my June 1 -June 30 bill:
Basic Service Charge: $15.80
Peak 373 KWH @ $0.396863: $148.03
Offpeak 2432 KWH @ $0.073943: $179.83
Adjust Factor @ $0.000556: $1.56
Sales Tax @ 4%: $13.81
Total: $359.03
So I figure I used 2805 KWH and paid $360 total, this averages to about $0.12 / KWH. I divided my brothers usage by his total (on the regular plan) and it came to an avg of about $0.19/KWH. Had I paid the regular rate then my bill would have been 2805KWH * $0.19/KWH = $532 - This amounts to a savings of $170 (almost 50%) in just one month, and this is at the high peak rates of the summer. I also ran my Air condition primarily during the off-peak times and my tank lights (1500W) also run during off-peak.
Anyway, hopefully being the ginnea pig may make the decision easier for others. i say its worth a shot, if after the first month you realize it is not worth it, you just switch back to the regular plan.
The only restriction is that if you sign-off, you cant sign back on for i think 12 months or 18 months. This is basically to keep people from continually signing on and off (i would think).
Being the end of the summer makes it even more worth it. From Jun-Sep the peak rates are very high, but from oct-may they are not as high (the off-peak rates remain the same). The way i had once calculated it showed that if the electricity is used evenly 24/7 the summer bills would be a little higher and the winter bills a little lower coming to a savings over a 12month period. so as long as you consistently use more off-peak than peak, it should be worth it. especially if you can run heavy appliances (such as a washer/dryer, dehumidifier, electric heater, etc) off-peak as well.
The regular plans do not have peak or off peak rates.
Here is the total breakdown of my June 1 -June 30 bill:
Basic Service Charge: $15.80
Peak 373 KWH @ $0.396863: $148.03
Offpeak 2432 KWH @ $0.073943: $179.83
Adjust Factor @ $0.000556: $1.56
Sales Tax @ 4%: $13.81
Total: $359.03
So I figure I used 2805 KWH and paid $360 total, this averages to about $0.12 / KWH. I divided my brothers usage by his total (on the regular plan) and it came to an avg of about $0.19/KWH. Had I paid the regular rate then my bill would have been 2805KWH * $0.19/KWH = $532 - This amounts to a savings of $170 (almost 50%) in just one month, and this is at the high peak rates of the summer. I also ran my Air condition primarily during the off-peak times and my tank lights (1500W) also run during off-peak.
Anyway, hopefully being the ginnea pig may make the decision easier for others. i say its worth a shot, if after the first month you realize it is not worth it, you just switch back to the regular plan.
Last edited:
- Location
- Queens, NY
Economically, sounds like a good plan even during winter months, because nobody is at home during peak hours.
- Location
- 11756
WoWzers
...lol....:bigeyes2:...
...lol....:bigeyes2:...
hey guys....
herman pm'd me on RC about this thread. the blinds are hunter douglas blackout blinds on a remote timer. the tank is in my family room, across from a 30' wall of windows. in the am, it's very bright, so i have to have the blinds to provide the proper photoperiod. unfortunately, the acrylic split one night while i was sleeping a few months ago and drained the entire tank (300g display), killing everything. MMFI was the manufacturer, so (IMO!!!) don't ever buy anything from those crooks. however, Deltec is making me a 770g starfire tank to replace this one. instead of the blinds you see, which really were a pain in the butt to get to work consistently, overall a real hassle, and required a special pull out tray that they were mounted on, i'm getting Deltec to do a folding panel cover that connects to the underside of the top frame with magnets. it should be a whole lot easier to use than the blinds. the cabinetry is being converted into a bar, so at least some good came out of it!
hth
Doug
herman pm'd me on RC about this thread. the blinds are hunter douglas blackout blinds on a remote timer. the tank is in my family room, across from a 30' wall of windows. in the am, it's very bright, so i have to have the blinds to provide the proper photoperiod. unfortunately, the acrylic split one night while i was sleeping a few months ago and drained the entire tank (300g display), killing everything. MMFI was the manufacturer, so (IMO!!!) don't ever buy anything from those crooks. however, Deltec is making me a 770g starfire tank to replace this one. instead of the blinds you see, which really were a pain in the butt to get to work consistently, overall a real hassle, and required a special pull out tray that they were mounted on, i'm getting Deltec to do a folding panel cover that connects to the underside of the top frame with magnets. it should be a whole lot easier to use than the blinds. the cabinetry is being converted into a bar, so at least some good came out of it!
hth
Doug
:shocked1:
Doug, that's horrible. what a complete shame, sorry for the loss.
we will have to make you an honorary Manhattan Reefs member and send you some frags when you get the new tank up.
will you be posting a thread on RC for the new tank build?
jonathan
Doug, that's horrible. what a complete shame, sorry for the loss.
we will have to make you an honorary Manhattan Reefs member and send you some frags when you get the new tank up.
will you be posting a thread on RC for the new tank build?
jonathan
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