How is your power bill?


Recently I moved my equipment to our vacation home south of the border. On average the power bill ran about $12 per month. After setting up the three Krell Amps (fpb 350s and a KSA 150) to drive the Maggie 20.1s, etc. and, in addition to listening to music, starting watching nightly action movies through the system as well. The new power bill was almost $70.00!!

Thoughts? Your experience with this?
puerto
I think that the balanced interconnect between liberals and conservatives needs some repair "

Yes, sad isn't it?

My preferred strategy is to stay a moderate and try to stay well informed. If/when the pendulum swings to far one way, then I usually vote to move it back towards the middle.
I think that the balanced interconnect between liberals and conservatives needs some repair - a certain level of distortion is now readily discernable as the clarity and resonance of the presentation is fading. . Maybe I'm sitting too far to the right of center to get the best appreciation for the system but IMHO some improvements or upgrades are needed. (I don't recommend any Chinese products) There has to be a campaign slogan in there somewhere for Albert!
"First, there will be a Ohm "Speaker of the House", in honor of Mapman"

Very thoughtful, but please, take care of ManBearPig first!
Albert, I suspect once elected you will take Presidential
Audio to a level never before achieved. Presidential photography as well I'd bet. Also, vinyl will rule the land once more!

First, there will be a Ohm "Speaker of the House", in honor of Mapman.

Second, there will be higher salaries for all photographers, so Jax2 and I can finally make a decent living.

Third, Bill Clinton will return with Monica, both wearing raincoats. This is the best I can do to get Politicians into vinyl.

The good news? Monica can easily wash those stubborn stains away with a wash cloth, saving hundreds on dry cleaning.
Well, Obama is a very dynamic and omnidirectional kind of guy! But I think he is more into efficiency and innovation so he leans towards music servers, horns and Class D.

Bush was more of an OHM person! Also loved his big power guzzling Class A amps. You should have heard that system! Then one day Dick Cheyney cranked it up and broke it! Darn shame!

Bush was also kinda more old fashioned and loved his vinyl so I hear!

Albert, I suspect once elected you will take Presidential
Audio to a level never before achieved. Presidential photography as well I'd bet. Also, vinyl will rule the land once more!

Just please do not raise my taxes to do it, OK?

Oh, and please provide earmarks (no pork) and tax breaks for OHM and Class D amp owners too, OK?
"No way would I be President,"

Some nice perks though. YOu should see the stereo system at Camp David!
I'm more interested in having fun with these threads. The world is far too messed up for ordinary people like you and I to have much effect.

No way would I be President, I'm not qualified nor would I want the pressure and stress. Regardless of our Presidents decision (ANY US Presidents decision) half of our citizens and most of the rest of the world thinks he has screwed it up.
Hmmmm, I was talking about you but you can take it that way if you wish. All the same I doubt you would bow to a Saudi King, take over control of major banks and industry nor explore the Cap and trade scam so you may get my vote, you may tell folks here you would do that so you stay popular but based on our phone conversations I suspect you to be too smart for that.
That's why I want to be President, I have that Dueschebag superiority defect and level of arrogance.

Make that douche bag superiority, Dueschebag is the life saving crash device in the steering wheel of a Duesenberg.
Anyone smart enough to be President would never think they actaully should be President............the smartest dont have that Dueschebag superiority defect or level of arrogance that feeds us leaders like we have had and do have today.
Puerto, at least you understand why I was poking fun.

Regardless of who is (or was) President, there will be thousands and thousands of unhappy people. No one in that high office can make everyone happy and a post at Audiogon is not likely to change anyone's mind.
I don't recall asking for input on Obama OR Bush in my original thread but I do have to agree with Albert - not sure about the "running for office" thing just yet though. I'll wait for Rush and Keith to weigh in first!!
RE: How is your power bill?

I saw my neighbor William standing in his yard, cleaning up branches after a recent storm. So I said,

"How is your power, Bill?"

He replied, "Mine's still on, and yours?"

Neither Obama or Bush would ask William that question, I say Albert for President.
Before attacking Obama,those of you who do should search your own souls. You sound like people who do not seem very sensitive about the environment or the impact they might have on it. Bush grievously damaged this country, militarily,environmentally, economically and morally. Obama is left with the task of cleaning out the filth left in the stables by his ignorant and arrogant predecessor. With Global Warming and possible environmental catastrophe lurking, Krell Class A owners might think of using a more modest power source and still enjoy their hobby. Every one is responsible for the fate of the planet and the carbon footprint they leave behind; from SUV drivers to Krell owners. While we are preoccupied with what cd player, amplifiers and turntables to use, Obama will put this country back on track and help save our planet. Let's not forget the big picture as we enjoy our hobby

Dude you off your meds?
You probably need a box of Kleenex, lotion and privacy to watch Keith Olbermann.
I live in New England so utilities are expensive. We have managed to save with a highly insulated home with active and passive solar. I'm working on a biodiesel cogeneration system that will get us well off the grid.
Thank you Puerto. I did not choose the JRDG 312 merely because of its efficiency. Rather, its sonic signature enchanted me, and its power efficiency convinced me. Similarly with the Capri, I prefer its sound over that of the ARC Ref 3. . . its mere 6W of power draw is welcome icing on the cake. . . In other words, I am not suffering of any audiophilically painful withdrawl symptoms from the musical Heaven of power guzzlers. . . for me going 'green' has been purely a win/win experience. G.

PS. All Guidos I have known are. . . boys. (grins!)
I wonder if any of the rest of us has gone on to purchase a different audio product because of power consumption concerns like guidocorona. My hat is off to him/her. It's a smart choice, all things considered - I think that for most of us, it is like giving up that big luxury car! I struggle with that! Nice going guidocorona.
Thank you for this thread. My power bill averages $30.00 a month. I occasionally consider adding tube electronics, mostly because I like to fiddle around with things. I had never thought about power usage and cost before. I hate paying monthly bills and paying $300 a month for power is shocking and wasteful. Anyway I love the sound of my Naim Nait 5i-2. That Audio Research VSi60 I have been fantasizing about is hereby off the wish-list.
Out of sheer necessity, I used to be archi-conservative (please note lower case in 'c' of conservative) in the use of my system. . . my Rowland 7Ms and the ARC Ref 3 were all gas guzzlers. . . my wife noticed with horror, whenever my stereo was active more than a few hours per week, that our power bill quickly grew into undesirable regions. . . One year ago my Ref 3 has been switched to a JRDG capri, which draws only 6W, and the 7Ms have been replaced by a class D JRDG 312 which runs as cool as a cuke. My stereo is now on 24/7 making music sounding better than ever. . . and my wife has not made a peep about power bills ever since.
The cap and trade program is projected to cost the American family an additional $3100 per year on top of what they already pay for utilities. Even some Democrats are backing away from that. We should not be penalized for using the only sources of energy made available to us. Perhaps my Krells will soon be a luxury that I cannot afford to enjoy. They will become a monument to tax and spend policies.

My equipment is in Mexico where the electrical utilities are a graduated cost. That is to say, use very little power and your rate is very low (likewise the bill), use more electricity and the excess is billed at a higher rate and so on. There are three levels of rates. We had always fallen in the lowest category (about $10 per month) until I brought in the three Krells and Maggie 20.1s. Yikes, overnight we landed in the highest category of rate charges and the bill was $70. I have taken the following steps:

1. Use the center channel and sub amp very infrequently

2. Quit using the system altogether for movies

3. Turn the amps off - no more standby

These are measures that we will all be considering if the cap and trade policies are put in place!
It was funny the way a simple comment about the effect of Mr. Obama's carbon-swap policy on the price of electricity seemed to set everyone off on a political tangent. Obviously, any increase in the cost of producing and delivering electricity is passed along to its consumers, so our power bills here in the US WILL soon increase if Mr. Obama's carbon swap plan is implemented. Mr. Obama believes that the benefit to the envorinonment of this scheme outweigh the negative effects of increased power bills throughout the US during a recession. All US-based Audiogoners will pay the price for it, not just those who so vociferously agree here, with everything Mr. Obama wants to impose.
Elizabeth...At 12 cents per kwhr, $12.00 will buy you 100 kwhr.
There are 720 hours in a month.
So, your amp draws 100/720 = 0.139 Kw or about 140 watts. Sounds about right.
Elizabeth: Pretty amazing wasn't it - imagine my surprise. Thanks for the input.
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Many thanks Wavetrader - I will check it out.

Ausjoe: Thankyou also for the response. We do not have attics in Mexico. It would probably become home to many geckos, scorpions and other such creatures!
Polyurethane can also be used in the attic space in place of blown in insulation. FWIW.
Hi Puerto,

Here's a link about SPF roofs. You might google spray foam roof contractors Mexico.

One benifit among many is that my condo is quieter as a result. I never thought about how much outside noise comes in from the roof area. The best coating color is white as the heat that is relected off in the summer is amazing...cool summers and the foam keeps heat in and cold out in the winter.

http://www.sprayfoam.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=7
Wavetrader: What is a foam SPF cool roof? A portion of our home in Mexico is flat. It may be pertinent to this thread since it is a way to offset higher power bills due to our equipment.
As far as I can tell my bill increased 20 to 30 dollars with my class A tube amps. I have added a foam SPF cool roof to my condo,so that dropped my bill about 70 bucks a month. If you have a flat roof home it is a great way to cut energy consumption.
Siddh you have made my point better than I did.

I did not seek to defend the Bush administration so much as to point out exactly what you said:

"cannot be blamed on any one person, administration or event."

That is exactly what I was alluding to in pointing out the vilification of the previous adminstration(s) and deification of the current one which remains unproven to be good or bad.

I wish that more had your perspective in understanding that the current state of affairs was a "team" effort including both liberals and conservatives. Nobody wants to take the blame so by electoral acclaimation Bush gets it all. So many people find it cathartic to have a single point of blame because it saves them from thinking to much.

Even your mostly well said comments reflect your displeasure at the linking of Obama to a bad economy (true or not). And why a personal attack on Limbaugh rather than an intellectual one? He is only an entertainer not an elected anything. He is less relevant than he thinks he is -much like a pro-wrestler compared to pro boxers. One fakes it for reaction the other really gets hit.

"Bush-whacking" (pun-get it) in this case and Clinton bashing before it really serves no constructive purpose but as always in politics a place to lay blame is better than a move forward.

By the way - how are your electric bills?
Entrope, your display of ignorance on world economy, the placement of blame, and the defense of the Bush administration is pure political bullshit. This economic downturn, spiraling to god know's where; cannot be blamed on any one person, administration or event. Regardless, of who sits in the Oval Office, or any other elected or non-elected office (Rush Blimpo), the state of the economy would have and will follow a corresponding trajectory. Open the newspaper. Look at the banks worldwide. Watch the unemployment rate. Observe the effect upon governments and public confidence.

To add commentary on "when the clock actually starts on the Obama presidency", is akin to asking at what point the heart surgeon finds him/herself responsible for the smoking, over-weight patient.

Noone knows; not economic experts, not the most successful business leaders, certainly not politicians, and definitely not entertainers and talk show hosts( Bill Maher); what caused this quagmire or what is the most effective way out. The future (attack on the twin towers, Katrina, housing bubble, etc. etc. etc.) cannot be foreseen. Those in power do what they and their staff believe is best.

The economy and world of finances is dictated by such a vast array of inextricable determinants, that making allusion to Obama and the present economy is rife with ignorance and political bias. Why not blame Henry Ford or an Amazonian hatcheting a piece of the forest for today's global weather changes...if they actually exist.

I have no objection to theorists offering thought provoking intimation, but save the you-against-us mentality. This is global...it is real...it ain't going away. Follow this back, as you would any evolving progression. Maybe it was greed, or maybe it was savvy business practice. Maybe it was excessive borrowing, or maybe it was an incredible period of growth. People spend...people build...people are employed. You will be hard pressed to find a period of expansion without consumer involvement.

Drop the Rush bullshit and let's find a way to help those in need, as well as those who fuel the engines.
GHS - Thanks for that tip, it may well be worth trying! I will also, as some of you have mentioned, turn the amps totally off vs.a standby mode and avoid the action movies. I think the movies may be the main culprit in driving up the power bill. It's comforting to know, in a perverse sort of way, that I am not the only one that has done this to myself!

Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that a simple request for feedback on audio equipment power consumption would generate such well thought out, insightful, running commentary on our country's current political climate and my choices in life. Wow, I'm really counting my blessings!

For those that thought that purchasing my Krell fpb 350's was inappropriate - You were right! I should have bought the 750's!
Garebear- glad that you agree.

I am sure that you took my rant as defensive of Bush rather that indictment of the hype surrounding our current cardboard-cutout-in-chief.

So if Mr.Obama doubles the problems left by the Bush regime in his misguided flailing about I suppose it will still be Bush's fault?
I think here in Southern Ca. the DWP rates have gone up/ as well as including other things-- such as City; large item pick-up and the like.
I would surmise the X6 increase might also have some hidden charges and or rate increase--(for the original poster)
As I heard on tv; we are still paying for some of that Enron debacle.
While enjoying a Chatsworth summer;anything that adds to the summer ambiance is not desirable. I have changed from near 60 tubes to a ss stereo amp and a one box/2 tube pre/ cd player.-------And I still pay more than what that set-up used to cost,to run.
Also, I stay away from mono blocks that require dedicated 30 amp. circuits;ea.
Your right Entrope - I think that we would all agree that we as a country were better off under The Bush regime. 2.6 million out of work ....the banks had a blind eye turned to them and left to their own devices....a president from Texas and all of the oil companies had record profits lager than some counties GNP.... manufacturing allowed to leave this country and still get tax breaks.....personal religous beliefs by a president who is to be supposed to be nuetral in that position making decsions on how my life is supposed to be run....and being pretty much hated by the rest of the world due to that man's ignorances - yes their is place in Texas that had lost their village idiot -I also am a registered Independent - so I can make a clear decison
Puerto I purchased a P4400 Kill A Watt power meter. This meter has a read out that will display amps voltage frequency power and watt per kwh with a timer function. It sells for about $23 on amazon.You can use this on any 120 volt appliance in you house. You just plug it into the wall outlet and then plug you amp into the meter. It is good for up to 1800 watts. Works great. GHS
I haven't noticed any recent change in my power bill. That's my wife's department and she guards it well.
Danlib-

Politics indirectly or more recently very directly is affecting our power bills but you are more correct than not.

I am sure the moderators will step in and wrest control of the thread shortly before we come to blows.
I thought this was a power bill discussion? We would be far more productive if we kept the political bullshit out of this thread. Obama and Bush are inevitably 3rd rail topics, and any sensible person can find the flaws of both without a brain cramp.

And have ANY of us been persuaded to switch political allegiances by a post on Audiogon?

Didn't think so.
It seems to me thus far that Mr. Obama is to the presidency what Machina Dynamica is to audio. Hype with little substance that at best will prove useless and expensive and at worst harmful and expensive but still has a small, vocal, zealous following.

At some point it has to become Obama's presidency and not the labeling of every mistake or misstep made a "clean up" of the previous adminstation and Congress (they helped very much in getting us where we are). Perhaps some of the more enlightened forum members will tell us when the clock actually starts on the Obama presidency.

The vitriol directed at the Bush adminstration - which was not perfect - in no way ameliorates Mr. Obama's early displays of ignorance in economics, cabinet selection, & foreign policy but only serves as a smoke screen to deflect attention. The next adminstration I am sure will speak to "cleaning up" the Obama adminstration's policies with which they disagree much as the Bush administration had to steam clean the oval office hall to remove Clinton's "presidue" stains from the carpet.


Side rant:
"Green" is now a pop culture marketing word used to sell product that actually does nothing to improve the world as we know it - as in new improved green Viagra - 'it gives you wood' -- You get the idea.

Those proclaiming greenness are mostly hypocrites that still consume all they detest but with slight moderation and self righteous disgust.

There- I feel better.
I find it interesting that someone can extrapolate a person's views, thoughts, political stance, environmental position & whatever else from an amp choice. Wow!