Yes, but you are basing this on your "assumptions". Your math may be correct
but, you are setting up the conditions of the problem which may or may not be
accurate.
The word collectively was used. So, let's say your assumptions are correct.
Multiply that by millions of households. That seems to be quite a bit to me.
I don't really enjoy just giving my money to the local utilities. I'd rather
spend $104 on ham radio toys. ;-)
Gary, N7HTS
On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:48:08 EDT
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 8/21/07 9:58:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
There was an article a while ago in Circuit Cellar
magazine where the author (I think it was Steve Ciarcia himself) described
the originas of his high electric bills as surprising...all those clock
radios, microwave, dishwasher, TVs etc, etc. despite being 'off' still
collectively drew a lot of current that addded up. I have a friend who
uses power strips to turn off *everything*. He says it's the only
solution these days.
I call shenanigans. Or at least a need for better math.
Yes, there are some devices today that continue to consume small amounts of
power even when visibly turned off. This is done for three reasons:
1) Keep the settings stored in volatile memory
2) Keep a clock or other indicator working
3) Keep the remote-control receiver alive so that you can turn the unit on
with the clicker.
In addition, many small electronic devices are powered by wall warts rather
than internal supplies so that they can be world-usable, smaller, and not
have
to meet the same safety requirements as something that plugs into the wall.
Typical of such things are:
Computers with ATX or similar power supplies
Monitors
Printers
VCRs/DVD players
TVs
Microwaves
Stoves
Let's say you have 20 of these items, and each one draws 5 watts while idle.
That's 100 watts of power demand, all the time. That's one-tenth kilowatt
hour.
In a year of 365 days, there are 8760 hours. With a 100 watt load, that's
876
kilowatt hours per *year* to run all the devices.
This number is on the high side because it assumes you never use any of the
devices at all, but simply let them be on standby the entire time. So let's
assume the devices are on standby 90% of the time, and in actual use 10%.
Say 800
kilowatt hours of standby.
800 kWh is a considerable amount of juice - but how much does it really cost
you? Here in EPA, where electricity prices are pretty high, I pay about 13
cents per kWh, so the annual cost is $104. That's $8.67 per month for that
theoretical 100 watt load. Except I don't have so many things plugged in
drawing
standby power, so I'd guess it to be about $6 per month. Twenty cents per
day.
In other parts of the country, electricity is far cheaper. At 5 cents per
kWh, you're talking $40 per year or $3.33 per month. 11 cents a day
What does a kilowatt-hour cost *you*?
73 de Jim, N2EY
**************************************
Get a sneak peek of
the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
