Cost of running your aquarium on "time of use" rates

[Greatwhite]

My last hydro bill was HUGE.  There was nothing new going on, but my wife pointed at my aquarium as the source of all her hydro concerns.  This got my wheels spinning, looking for numbers that would make her FORCE me to go get a $1000 Aqua Illumination LED light set - to save lots of money on the hydro bill.

My initial calculations showed that my lights were costing me $120+ / month to run, but then I realized that I was essentially squaring to kwh and my light is only really costing me $8/month.

Now, I can't guarantee that my calculations are right - and would LOVE someone to prove them wrong so that I can get back to $120/month so I can do the upgrade!!  But I've attached my spreadsheet.

I just figure out how many hours I use in each of the rate times, and the sheet does the rest.
http://www.ontario-hydro.com/index.php?page=current_rates

I have a tab where I was comparing the cost of running various light systems, and a tab that I put all my equipment in to see a total cost of running my aquarium.

Please DO point out any flaws in my math.  This would be a handy tool for ANY of us who want to save a buck or 2.  You can diddle with the schedules in the sheet and see the results of time shifting, and swap out parts for more efficient ones...  Ever wonder what the savings would be if you ran your skimmer overnight only??  Use the sheet.

Oh, and yes, I'm aware that I don't account for actinics being on longer than daylights, etc.  This is all estimated costs...

[Darth]

so according you your calculations what you thought was $120 in cost is actually only $8? Thats a huge difference, just for arguments sake have you thought of anything else that could have brought your bill up so high? If your lights were only $8 thats good news for me as I might actually get to keep my tank LOL

[Greatwhite]

My bill went up so high for non-aquarium-related reasons...  I had squatters living here for a short time (sister + 2 kids) who insisted on doing laundry all day, every day whether it was necessary or not.

I haven't seen a bill reflecting time that they were not here yet, though.

Another reason for a skyrocketting hydro bill is HST on electricity (which I've heard is going to be removed) and the actual introduction of these time-of-use rates.  The wife & kids are here all the time, and I work from home, so it's not like I can turn off everything and head to an office.

[Greatwhite]

So the logic in my math is pretty simple.

If I have 1 bulb running at 65 watts, that's 0.065 kw's.  Then, just figure in when the light is on, in the corresponding rate times.  I run for 2hrs @ 5.9 cents per kwh, 4hrs at 8.9, and 5hrs at 10.7.  So the total per day to run that one bulb is 6.5 cents.

For a month, that's $1.97.

It seems to me that the math is pretty simple.  My dad's an engineer, and he was looking at 24hrs at one rate because he's old school and doesn't know about time-of-use.  So my crazy math started out including 24hrs *AND* the actual time at each rate.  So ya - I had crazy numbers that made me second guess even keeping a tank.

[Hookup]

I believe you are leaving out delivery charges and taxes on your calculations.  Not sure.. i'll have to pull a bill to be sure myself, though the rates you list are correct, they do not appear to be the actual charge rates.

Delivery charges and bad-debt costs basically double the posted rates...  which would turn $8 -> $16 at best lol, a far cry from your $120 goal...


That said, using the page you gave;
Scenario 1 -- 800watt light * 8 hours * prime time
800watts - 0.8 Kw
0.8 * 8hrs = 6.4
30.5 days/month = 6.4 * 30.5 = 195.2

  195.2 * 10.7cents = $19.52 /month

Scenario 2 -- same light 8hrs * non-peak time
  195.2 * 5.9cents= $11.51/month


Still, with an 800watt device going for 1/3 of the time... all month.. only cost $20 a month... how do you get to $700 bills... this is why i'm thinking the HST and the Delivery Charges, and other charges are missing...

[dan2x38]

So the logic in my math is pretty simple.

If I have 1 bulb running at 65 watts, that's 0.065 kw's.  Then, just figure in when the light is on, in the corresponding rate times.  I run for 2hrs @ 5.9 cents per kwh, 4hrs at 8.9, and 5hrs at 10.7.  So the total per day to run that one bulb is 6.5 cents.

For a month, that's $1.97.

1st off thanks for spread sheet who doesn't love a good spread sheet? LOL haven't check it out yet but sounds very cool

I am confused (nothing new LOL) with your math above - 5.9 + 8.9 + 10.7 = 25.5 doesn't it NOT 6.5?

[Greatwhite]

1st off thanks for spread sheet who doesn't love a good spread sheet? LOL haven't check it out yet but sounds very cool

I am confused (nothing new LOL) with your math above - 5.9 + 8.9 + 10.7 = 25.5 doesn't it NOT 6.5?

You'll have to look at the time of use schedule for exact times, but the rates are as follows:

Off peak: 5.9
Mid peak: 8.9
Hella peak: 10.7

Depending on the time of day, you'll fall into one of those rates.

I didn't include all the numbers in that underlined statement...
The math is (2hrs x 5.9cents x 0.065 kw/h) + (4hrs x 8.9cents x 0.065kw/h) + (5hrs x 10.7cents x 0.065 kw/h) = 6.5 cents

[Severum]

Here are the delivery and transmission charges off Hydro Ottawa's website:

Transmission $0.0108/kWh
Hydro Ottawa Delivery $0.0203/kWh
Hydro Ottawa Fixed Charge $10.14 per month

I added that info to the already amazing spreadsheet along with the costs for my 8 bulb powermodule. Pretty decent given I only run it for 7 hours a day.

Hopefully the calculations are right.

[Greatwhite]

Cool addition!   Now that it's getting more "exact", it's easy to separate actinics from daylights by use 2 separate sections, then add in moonlights, and you're good to go.  I just don't have cooling fans included.

It's hard to estimate how much a heater is running too...  I rarely see the little orange light when I look...

[Severum]

Oh boy now this is getting complicated. 

Adding actinics, cooling fans, heaters, skimmer, reactors, return pump, dosing pump, fuge light, powerheads, frag tank lights, beer fridge for drinking beers while staring at tank, etc.

It can be done but it'll be one big spreadsheet.

[Greatwhite]

Ya... look at the 2nd tab (Full System).. it's a start.

You can find the wattage of most items on the internet, which helps.  Otherwise it's Volts x Amps... or something.    I don't remember Ohm's Law from college -- I've been in software too long.

[Hookup]

crap.. i modified the data... to reflect my closed-loop and return pump... and my skimmer pump... $97.06/month

I do not like this thread anymore...

however, the $17/month for my lights seems kind of pointless now...



On a Tangent... the only solution to my CL costs (which I knew where killing me) was to get some variable speed pumps that'll run me about $3500... vs the $1300 for the Reeflow Gold Hammerheads.  The hammerheads (currently in use) need service every year, but i thik it's $30 each.. so $60.... the others do not need it for 10yrs...

argh... i hate this hobby some days.

[Greatwhite]

Wow...  That's pricey per month.  You must have a long distance to travel with your water lines.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, eh?  I only did the spreadsheet to either prove to my wife that *I* am not causing the hydro jump, and if I was - to give ammo to get better lights.  I was happy to see my numbers, in the end (even though it meant no new lights)...

[dan2x38]

I made the changes for my entire system and was surprised how little certain components are costing to run. My light is less than $11 a month that was surprising. I am going to use this to tweak timing for my aquarium setup and even look at a/c usage plus how I/we do other things.

This tool can safe anyone money - Maybe the Webmaster with GreatWhite's permission can sticky a copy of it?

Thanks again for the spread sheet I tweaked it for me but it is a great little tool to calculate the rates. I also didn't realize the tricky way they price the hydro and per season - very sneak. I am attaching my ver. of teh spread sheet and a copy of the Hydro Ottawa Rate Chart.

Off Peak = 5.9 cents/kWh
Mid-Peak = 8.9 cents/kWh
     Peak = 10.7 cents/kWh

Weekend & Holidays = Off-Peak

Summer = Off-Peak 7pm-7am
            = Mid-peak 7am-11am & 5pm-7pm
            = Peak 11am-5pm

Winter = Off-Peak 7pm-7am
          = Mid-Peak 11am-5pm
          = Peak 7am-11am & 5pm-7pm

[Greatwhite]

sure, ya... sticky it up...

[dan2x38]

sure, ya... sticky it up...

The version I did removed the comparison tab. Also able to calculate dual light setup and dual power head setup. Then copy/pasted enough for about 10 components and of course total all them. I know you can just switch out data but this gives the chance to do entire system plus adds up the HST and included the delivery/transmission rip off fees.

The one upside is it doesn't try to calculate weekend and holiday off-peak savings (hate saying that phrase) so the cost will be cheaper - likely. The heater issue of course is tricky so maybe the weekend/holiday rates makes up for any +/- errors?

Again thanks GreatWhite cool tool - not you the spread sheet... LOL 

[Hookup]

dan.. i hate you ... $199.93/month

i'm NOT telling my wife.


If I swap CL pumps and estimate the wattage used (variable speed) at 240 (vs the 740 currently) I can drop my bill to $108.40/month.. not bad.   

that's about $1100/year in savings... and over the next 3 years the pumps pay for themselves. 

Sold... going to order them up as soon as I find $3500... LOL

[Greatwhite]

dan.. i hate you ... $199.93/month

i'm NOT telling my wife.


If I swap CL pumps and estimate the wattage used (variable speed) at 240 (vs the 740 currently) I can drop my bill to $108.40/month.. not bad.   

that's about $1100/year in savings... and over the next 3 years the pumps pay for themselves. 

Sold... going to order them up as soon as I find $3500... LOL

The benefits just keep rolling in.  You can't argue with the numbers, really.  Even If the calculations are off a little (which I really don't think they are), you'd be cutting your aquarium bill nearly in half with the new pumps.  Plus, variable speed just sounds cooler.

I was looking at about a 50% change in cost to move to the Aqua Illumination lights (probably more, since I think I used the MAX consumption, and those lights are variable - and probably wouldn't be over 60%)...  But somehow it's less impressive going from $8 to $4 for lights as it is from $200 to $100 overall.  Go figure.

[dan2x38]

OK hate me some more or maybe NOT? I really tweaked the spread sheet now. I created individual totals for each component  for each rate. Then created a total for each rate. Finally, added a chart that compares the different rates to your power usage. In my case it is not that dramatic but maybe for some it will be somewhat different - HookUp?  

Maybe this would be a good copy to sticky if the Webmaster thinks it worthwhile? It is was quite a powerful spread sheet now it is just a little more applicable - IMHO. Anyone can just plug in their numbers or zero out some to get a good idea of the cost operating their aquarium/s. Again great tool GreatWhite!!! TANKz

PS- this is what happens when you have to much time on your hands on a rainy day... LOL friends don't let friends crunch numbers!  

[Greatwhite]

You should see the spreadsheet that's tracking my bathroom renovation....  The numbers THERE make me cry...  You guys think having an aquarium is pricey -- do a bathroom reno!