Monthly Electric Bill Question

[Gage Zamrzla]

I'm planning to move out within the next year and one of my major obstacles is balancing my finances. I've got a pretty good idea of my weekly/monthly expenses but one thing that I can't quite predict is the electric bill. I'll be discussing it with the family and get their take on about how much I'm costing them per month but because of schedule differences I've yet to get there. Basically I'm running 602 watts on three tanks, two 75g's and one 20g. I have a few more tanks but if/when I move they'll either be sold or boxed up until who knows when. I'm expecting to end up with both 75g's and a 125g I've yet to set up, the 20g will be sold/taken down by then. But for now I'm going off what I know, 602 watts, if tanks must go down for a while so I can grow up then so be it but I'd like to try and make it work. Luckily for me I watch very little television and don't plan on having cable, almost never use heating or A/C (blankets and ice water have always done the trick), and go by candle light whenever possible so a fair chunk of what would be my electric bill will be lower or non-existent. SO, to sum it up any idea what 600 watts would cost me per month? I'm not looking for an exact number by any means and I'm sure it will shift throughout the year depending on season but a ballpark estimate from a few self-providing elder MFKer's would be much appreciated.

 

[aclockworkorange]

What do these 600 watts consist of? Heaters aren't on 24/7 and neither are lights (hopefully) so it's hard to gauge the cost... Also don't know what you pay for electricity either (sorry if you posted that and I missed it).
The best thing you can do is buy a product like the "kill-a-watt" that you plug your equipment into and it will tell you exactly what it's using.


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[Gage Zamrzla]

Also, I've lived on my own before though the rent was paid for me. I have a good footing and experience to finally go out on my own this time (I actually have a job this time around) but any tips to help save money on anything, though not what I'm looking for right now are greatly welcomed. I already know the buy in bulk and make food at home, try to keep the tank on full, ride my bike as much as possible, tricks and if you have one that may have just gone over my head please tell me.

 

[Gage Zamrzla]

What do these 600 watts consist of? Heaters aren't on 24/7 and neither are lights (hopefully) so it's hard to gauge the cost... Also don't know what you pay for electricity either (sorry if you posted that and I missed it).
The best thing you can do is buy a product like the "kill-a-watt" that you plug your equipment into and it will tell you exactly what it's using.

75g - Fx5, 150w heater, 48" T5 fixture 28 watts, Koralia powerhead >10 watts

75g - Fluval 305, 200w heater, 24" Marineland LED Doublebright fixture 10ish watts, Koralia powerhead >10 watts

20g - Fluval 105, 50w heater, 33" T5 HO fixture 78 watts, Koralia nano powerhead >5 watts

I'll have to look into something like "kill-a-watt", thanks for the tip.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Those lights look like they take a bit of power, you could try only keeping them on a couple hours a day or replacing them with lower watt LEDs. Other than that I try to turn all the lights off in the house when I'm not using them, turn electronics off... If you can, unplug your TV if you're not using it for an extended period of time if you have one of the newer ones, they suck a surprising amount of power even when "off."


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[Beave]

There are a few things u can do.

Just to get an idea of how much it was costing the renters befor u by calling the electric company and asking for the average monthly bill that will give u a base to start with then from there u just got to think green there r millions of ways to save a little here and there i would get foam sheets 1 or 2 inches thick put it on the back and sides to hole the warmth in the water plenty of ways just have to get creative


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[Westie]

I had a 135g monster tank, a 100g reef w/refugium, a 75g planted discus tank and, a 20g turtle tank which with the regular house usage, i.e. washer/dryer, refridge, stove, oven house lights and wifes hair gadgets all totalled $500/month. Now I'm down to just the monster tank and still 3/4 the cost. Mostly cuz its winter. I'll get back to you this summer lol.