Noticed my last electric bill has gone up quite a bit, in usage, for the last 2 months. Only change has been the arrival of the cold season and my additional water changes per week. I'm guessing the big electric usage would have to be the 180. Its set up in the basement where the air temp has been in the 50s, and with 30%+ (cold water only)water changes twice per week, which drops the water temp around 6-8degs, the 3 heaters (800W total)must be working pretty hard. So, I'd decided to try adding warmer water during w/c to see if there will be a significant reduction in my electrical consumption.
Due to some non-standard European manufacturer design, I can't get those Python type systems to fit the threads on those dang faucets. I spent an entire weekend at Lowes' and Home Depot's plumbing dept trying to get different combinations of thread pattern to work, but to no avail. I finally was able to at least tap the washing machine's plumbing to at least fill the tanks.....no more filling the tank by 5gal buckets. I came up with a plan to rig a system that would also get me access to the hot water via the washing machine's plumbing as well. Today, I went to HD and bought my parts. Here's my Frankenstein rig
The green hose is the "Pocket Hose" and it works great......25' of hose shrivels down to the size and weight of a football when hose is empty of water. I just store it in that shopping bag next to my "rig". That is 3 brass garden hose y-adapters rigged together.
Just tried the rig today and was careful not to get the water too warm. The 180 only dropped 2 degrees. I'll have to wait for the next electric bill to see if using warmer water during water changes decreases my electric usage. FYI, my water heater uses propane.
Due to some non-standard European manufacturer design, I can't get those Python type systems to fit the threads on those dang faucets. I spent an entire weekend at Lowes' and Home Depot's plumbing dept trying to get different combinations of thread pattern to work, but to no avail. I finally was able to at least tap the washing machine's plumbing to at least fill the tanks.....no more filling the tank by 5gal buckets. I came up with a plan to rig a system that would also get me access to the hot water via the washing machine's plumbing as well. Today, I went to HD and bought my parts. Here's my Frankenstein rig
The green hose is the "Pocket Hose" and it works great......25' of hose shrivels down to the size and weight of a football when hose is empty of water. I just store it in that shopping bag next to my "rig". That is 3 brass garden hose y-adapters rigged together.
Just tried the rig today and was careful not to get the water too warm. The 180 only dropped 2 degrees. I'll have to wait for the next electric bill to see if using warmer water during water changes decreases my electric usage. FYI, my water heater uses propane.
