Filter Cost??

[hawkerw]

OK this is just a subject for conversation (honestly I'm still grabbing for a excuse....so I can get away with it)and I'm sure it's been covered many times. As I say I am no electrician by any means. I've noticed allot of these new filters seem to run much more efficent (my 406's do well) but in partcular Eheim seems like they do very well in this area. So for a simple point to start from, A filter running at say 50 watts(which many do) vs one at 25 watts ok logic says it will cost half the electricty to run. But putting that into real numbers how much does that brake down to? Sorta like how long would that excuse take to pay for itself. I've noticed heaters (which are a much higher wattage) seem like they heat more water while using less wattage? I Use Electric to heat so I am always looking for a way to get my Eheim.....I mean save on my electric bill??

 

[joe jaskot]

Let's assume you pay 20 cents/ kilowatt hour. A 50 watt filter running 24/7 for 30 days would cost (50 X 24 X 30 divided by 1000 X .20) $7.20/month to run. A 25 watt filter would cost $3.60/month (half as much). Saving you $43.20 per year on your electricity bill.

 

[Dan F]

Filters have become a lot more efficient over the years. Heaters not so much, they have all been very efficient for a long time. There is a lot of difference in the reliability of heaters, to me they seem to be much less reliable than they used to be, unfortunately.

Basically, find the difference in draw between the old filter and the new (say 50W-30W=20W saved). Multiply that amount times 24 (hours per day) times 365 (days/year) and that will give you the yearly savings. Divide by 1000 and multiply by rate per KW-Hour. Considering an average rate of $.12/KW-Hour this hypothetical filter would save about $21.00 annually. Since an Eheim can easily last ten years, you should come out ahead within a decade. If your electricity is more expensive it will pay off quicker, of course.

 

[Dan F]

Filters have become a lot more efficient over the years. Heaters not so much, they have all been very efficient for a long time. There is a lot of difference in the reliability of heaters, to me they seem to be much less reliable than they used to be, unfortunately.

Basically, find the difference in draw between the old filter and the new (say 50W-30W=20W saved). Multiply that amount times 24 (hours per day) times 365 (days/year) and that will give you the yearly savings. Divide by 1000 and multiply by rate per KW-Hour. Considering an average rate of $.12/KW-Hour this hypothetical filter would save about $21.00 annually. Since an Eheim can easily last ten years, you should come out ahead within a decade. If your electricity is more expensive it will pay off quicker, of course.

Edit: Joe beat me to it!

 

[hawkerw]

Another thought say the room you keep your aquarium in (I know this will vary by type of heat so lets use standard electric with per room control) In most cases is it better to keep the room heated warmer or run the aquarium heaters higher? I know for allot this is simple math I am not sure what other things you have to factor in?

 

[Dan F]

Another thought say the room you keep your aquarium in (I know this will vary by type of heat so lets use standard electric with per room control) In most cases is it better to keep the room heated warmer or run the aquarium heaters higher? I know for allot this is simple math I am not sure what other things you have to factor in?

It will always be more efficient to heat the water than the air around it. Air is a very poor conductor of heat compared to water.

If you want to save energy on your aquarium these are my suggestions:

1. Insulate. Put a piece of styrofoam insulation board (available for not much money at Home Depot et cetera) behind your background and any other sides that are up against a wall. Use pipe insulation on canister/sump hoses/pipe. You can wrap canisters in aluminized "bubble-wrap" insulation.

2. Get a tight-fitting lid. Evaporation greatly increases heat loss.

3. Upgrade your lighting to LED if possible.

4. Upgrade to more efficient pumps.