how to slow down your power meter

Red Squirrel

I see videos like this all the time on youtube and I can't help but laugh, either it's a huge gimmick, or it's illegal.

So I made one to make fun of those videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adoqNvN0AIo

nap

I like that.

actually, if you hadn't made it as a joke and showed removing some sort of detector (CO?), there is a lot of truth in the statement. If people would consciously conserve, they could save a lot of money.

Red Squirrel

Yeah the CO detector was to make it more of a joke. Not only am I removing a life safety device, but how much power do they even use, a few watts? lol

Scuba_Dave

Our electric bill has been $280 less over the past 3 months
So on average $93 less per month
Biggest change was swapping the Hot tub to solar heat

Red Squirrel

Woah $280 less? How much is it total? Mine is like $100 bucks. It was even $60 at one point as they had over estimated my usage so I had a credit. Guess it helps that I live alone, and don't have central air. If I had central air it would practically always be on. I get hot super easily. I usually fire up my 1 ton portable unit in my office blowing directly on me.

Scuba_Dave

We don't use AC
Salt water aquarium, hot tub, pool, 2 PC's, 2 or 3 TV's, 2 fridges right now + a dorm fridge......

$280 less over 3 months....not estimated

$100 less the 1st month, $110 the 2nd, $70 last month

Electric Bill was down to $123 1st month, $145 last month

rusty baker

My house is over 100 years old. $360 a month electric in the summer. Of course we have 6-8 weeks with 105-110 heat index.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Marty S.

Those numbers being written are exactly why I like my little 1000 square foot house. That and the fact it's paid for! Gas bill runs about $50 a month when it gets below zero F out, heat pump can't keep up when it gets below 10 degrees. Electric is $70-$80 a month all year with the thermostat on 73.

In the summer the gas co is a scam. Just got the last bill and the water heater used $4 worth of gas. Add in all the customer fees and pleasure to serve you taxes and the bill topped $25. Fees should NOT be 80% of the bill for crying out loud!

Gnfanatic

Wow, I thought only in NY we get screwed like that?

Scuba_Dave

How much you pay per month in utilities & house costs are seperate decisions each makes
I bought my last house (912 sq ft) for $23,600...it would be paid for by now
Wife considered it "out in the boonies" & wanted to move closer to Boston where she worked
I wanted more land & a bigger house
We bought a bigger house & I've been adding on which will double the size

Oil heat runs $132 a month if you divide by 5 months
...we do not pay any bill in the off season....~$100 yearly cleaning
Since we don't have gas we don't have a 2nd bill

Electric add-ons for delivery etc are 1/2 the bill
We could have a very small electric bill without the SW aqaurium, hot tub, pool, TV's & multiple computers

Personally I like having all that junk
With a pool, every weekend is like a vacation

boman47k

I knew a guy once that would place a damp mop on his meter. He claimed it slowed it down. He knew when the meter would be read and would make sure to remov e the mop so it would not be there when the reader made his rounds. He left for vacation once and forgot to remove the mop. He says he was back charged in some way.

Not sure I want to put a damp anything on my meter. Maybe it was a wooden handled mop.