Lower electric costs?

[masterswimmer]

Every summer I notice an increase in threads on MR and every other reef board on the net discussing/complaining about how expensive our reef systems cost to run. The primary focus of these discussions revolve around the cost of electric.

The overall consensus is moving towards lowering usage thereby lowering costs. This is both a green way to accomplish our collective goal as well as a responsible way to do it.

I have another idea that I can't say I've seen discussed on any of these threads. This idea unfortunately doesn't delve into being any more green than we currently are, but it does try to lower costs while still running the same equipment we're all currently using. Time of Use metering. Also known as TOU.

TOU is a voluntary way of changing how your electric company bills you. Let me preface this discussion with the disclaimer that I do not run my home on TOU metering.

I can spend a lot of time and effort writing out the process here for everyone to read, or, what I'm going to do is provide a link to each of the major electric companies in our region. The links are directly to their TOU program or their equivalent of it.

Orange & Rockland Utilities
ConEdison
LIPA (they call their program Net Metering)
PSE&G (doesn't look like they have any type of program like TOU)
CL&P (their plan is called, "Plan-It Wise Energy Program", starting 2012?)

I'm hoping some of the members that are presently utilizing any of these programs or similar plans from their respective energy providers will chime in here and offer some helpful hints and ideas. I do not profess to know much about Time of Use metering, but I do know a little. The above links can explain it much better than I can, so please let us know what you think.

I hope this type of program can help some of us save some cash. I can't stand writing the check each month to the utility company. I know I'm not alone.

Hope to hear about some savings....................
Russ

 

[KathyC]

LIPA stopped offering a real TOU program a while back. The one you linked to requires that you have some sort of solar power to join the program, so that means only Paul B can do it here on LI...lol

The one in your area even alludes to the fact that you are stuck with the program for a year if you sign up, even if it doesn't work out for you. The downside is sometimes these programs can cost more that we are already paying if we don't stay within the hours required.

Not to shoot down the idea - anything that saves us $ is great, but very important to read the fine print!

I just received my new balanced billing (for this year) and my cost actually went down - again Two years ago my electric ran a little over $600/month. I changed my pumps/power heads to more efficient ones, switched to T5's on my big tank (from MH's), put a black roof on my house (it actually helped a LOT, especially with my heating bills (oil) in wintertime) and I was more on top of shutting off lights around here and knocked $150/month off my bill. My current billing is down to $406/ month and that's even with all of the A/C we run here (extreme...), and adding an extra SW tank (have 3). Also have 2 FW tanks 75g & 55G and that huge pond in the yard. I really can't complain. Much.

 

[masterswimmer]

No doubt about it Kathy. It is of the utmost importance to ALWAYS read 'the fine print' of any contract you're getting yourself into. I took that as a given, that's why I didn't even think to mention it.

I know quite a few people who live on 'reverse schedules' from the rest of society lol. So they would get to view their tank between midnight and 10am. Those are normally the primo (lowest rate) hours. It would also benefit the user to run their dishwasher, laundry and any other major energy hog of an appliance during those 'off peak' hours.

This type of program for many (strike that, for MOST) people requires quite a bit of lifestyle changes. If you can do it, be diligent about continually doing it, then you can save money.

Oh, and just like any contract where they give you something for nothing or beneficial rates, you should expect a time commitment to the issuer. From my understanding, a TOU meter is a new meter that would be installed on your home, free. The cost of that meter comes from somewhere. IME that is your time commitment.

Thanks for the input Kath

R

 

[AlohaTropics]

Anyone consider starting up one of those group "amway" type of electric. I forgot the name it was called. That stuff really works??


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[roc5288]

For those of us whose have a plasma tv 50" above not led or lcd (plasma)The electric consumption is very high. It can run over 100$ a month alone.

 

[bbreef240]

if you have pse&g you have to go to www.viridian/green4life.com sign up its free and if you dont think its worth it go back to your old company....i did it and i will let everyone know how it worked...savings is anywhere in the 10 to 30 percent range ...we will see what happens....

 

[CrAzY cOrAlS]

just buy a power save everyone. it saves you 10% on your electric bill every month you have to be a athorize dealer but i know some people that can get them, it save anywhere from 10 to 25% on your electric bill a month, it acts as a surge protector for your home, alot of features it comes with but i will tell you this if in the first month you dont see the savings they give you there $$ back.

 

[AlohaTropics]

How much are they and what's involved with the installation?


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[CrAzY cOrAlS]

they run about 350, installation is fairly simple you need to hook it up to your main panel. my buddy puts them every where and no one has ever asked for there $$ back. he had a commercial building with regular single phase like we have in our homes and his electric bill was 1200 a month, once the power save was installed he said he was saving about 10 to 15% wich is about $120 or so a month thats insane! yes i have one at my place lol.

 

[masterswimmer]

just buy a power save everyone. it saves you 10% on your electric bill every month you have to be a athorize dealer but i know some people that can get them, it save anywhere from 10 to 25% on your electric bill a month, it acts as a surge protector for your home, alot of features it comes with but i will tell you this if in the first month you dont see the savings they give you there $$ back.

Very interesting product. How long have you been using it? How long did it take you to recover the cost of the unit? I'm guessing you're using the Power Save 1200? What power company are you using?

Thanks for this heads up.
Russ

 

[jerl77]

wow how easy is it to hook up? does it really work?

 

[jerl77]

http://www.power-save.com/1200.html this one?