How much energy does a chiller use? (information in thread)

[Domboski]

My reef tank costs me $94/month at $.25 per killowatt.

 

[Thatguy96]

Are you including carrying cost too

 

[pecan2phat]

I have 2 separate systems (plus some nanos) but the 2 major systems (120g with MH, chiller, closed loop) (180g + 102g with T5 lighting & 2 return pumps) uses about 70% of my entire monthly electrical cost.
After I factor in the surcharges, my rate is $.13 per KW (I know it's cheap) and my Aug bill was $406. I figured that $284 was from this hobby. Makes you wanna get out when you start looking at numbers.
When I was in Long Island, my cost for electricity was almost double!

 

[Killerdrgn]

anyone know if the kill-a-watt meter actually tracks how much electricity is used over time? like in a 24 hour period?
or is it only a point in time meter?

 

[tosiek]

I have a rooftop right outside my kitchen window that i was thinking of putting solar panels on after seeing last months bill. :irked: 300+ for two and a half tanks.

For the most part chillers will cost you more to buy and run than an air conditioner in the room for the few months you really should be needing it. The rest of the year your tank should be able to keep at temp with proper ventilation and fans for cooling. Unless you placed the tank near a radiator or boiler and pending room conditions of course. The only reasons people keep chillers are because there's no acess to an area for an air conditioner, or their tank generates way more heat than it can dissapate (ie, bad/too many pumps or lack of ventilation in tank) Or they can afford it to keep the tank at a stable temp. So the chiller turns into a convenience like an ATO and auto doser.

 

[ming]

anyone know if the kill-a-watt meter actually tracks how much electricity is used over time? like in a 24 hour period?
or is it only a point in time meter?

Yes it does over time as well. I believe it can only count up to 99 hours though

 

[duke62]

dude i cant blame landlord for being upset.my electric bill went up 100 a month when my larger tank was up and running.instead of arguing just throw her another 75 a month for the electric.

 

[pecan2phat]

Maybe it's just me but running an AC unit 24/7 at 72 degrees seems costly compared to a chiller that only needs to cool the water temp to 78 degrees.

 

[aznt1217]

Jay

If you want to buy a Kill A Watt here is a link- 17 Dollars shipped-

http://www.meritline.com/plug-in-power-monitor-large-lcd-display-record-electric-consumption.html

It gives you measurements of how much energy you are sucking up. After going to your house what I advise doing is hooking up all the electronics (TV, DVR, Sound system, etc.) to Surge Strips and shut it off when you leave the house. Anything that you think can be shut off plug it in a Surge Strip and turn it off. I save a ton with this... you've seen my setup (Electronics) so you can imagine how much electricity I can suck up potentially. Change your lighting to CFL bulbs also.