powersave

[Jerry_NJ]

Nope, it was over 1,600 KWH in January and February, and down to 1,057 KWH $158.49 for March. A low reading for me seems to be just under 1000 KWH last November, must have been warm. So my average is around 1,200 KWH per month. This is without the use of wood or other supplemental heat, looks like the best I can do with my new insert that should be installed in the next couple of weeks, is trim off about 500 KWH during the real cold months, or about $75 per month at the current electric rates...that is not a lot given the cost of wood (money and/or work), but I do have some free wood and I do enjoy a cozy warm room due to heat coming form the fireplace insert. It'll be a long time trying to pay of my several thousand $ investment in the new insert/installation.

 

[eba1225]

Jerry am righ there with you we consume anywhere from 1000KWH in the spring and fall to as high as 1700KWH in the summer.

I am really looking forward to the summer to see what this thing will do against the A/C load. Granted it will take a year or two to pay the thing off, but a ROI of 2 years is acceptable.

Erik

 

[burntime]

My electric bill is 40-60 bucks a month, so I am thinking...300 bucks plus install and I can save 4-6 bucks...granted a high bill with the ac is over 100 but even so 3 months a year save 10. At that calculation that would take 30 months for just the unit... When you take into account the time value of money and the install it probably would be somewhere around a 10-12 year payback with my current yearly usage. This is not a smart move for me...some others it may make sense.

 

[eba1225]

Burntime,

I agree, if my bill was as low as your I would not consider it.

Eri

 

[Redox]

I'll be keeping my $300 until someone can come up with something more scientific that their own house as an example. I am never going to believe that anyone consistently uses the same amount of electricity month to month and year to year.

BTW, the world was proven round by performing an experiment. This is called science. Someone come up with some science that supports these claims and I'll buy one.

Chris

 

[sleepie]

yes it was an experiment----but not everyone did it----don't buy it,,,just keep paying while we experiment with it--we will keep you informed on how its working----pat

 

[eba1225]

Redox,

I totally agree that experimentation is the way to go here. And also agree that usage year over year is rarely the same. Take my case for example, my daughter is in those teen years with the showers, hair dryers and multiple loads of laundry. So for me this year might even e higher than previous years.

But to get back to your point, I agree experimentation is the best means to determine if the system works as expected.

Erik

 

[mikeyny]

A simple solution to save money is to insulate your attic. Attic insulation gives you the most bang for your buck over ANYTHING you could ever buy or build. No snake oil involved just good old cellulose insulation. You can do it yourself for next to nothing.
Mike

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Here's something from Wikipedia: "Reactive power flow

In power transmission and distribution, significant effort is made to control the reactive power flow. This is typically done automatically by switching inductors or capacitor banks in and out, by adjusting generator excitation, and by other means. Electricity retailers may use electricity meters which measure reactive power to financially penalise customers with low power factor loads. This is particularly relevant to customers operating highly inductive loads such as motors at water pumping stations."

Now the only way I can see this could affect a reduction in (real) power usage for a normally inductive load is if the "Electric retailer had some way to make the electric power meter respond to penalize an inductive load, which would/could be reduced by a capacitive corrective device. I look forward to future reports by the "testers" along with some numbers, measured numbers.

 

[Redox]

I have the lab open. Anyone want to loan me one? 24 hours and I'll send it right back...

Chris