Power Consumption for Different Lighting Systems

[Anonymous]

Well, it's almost that time when Uncle Sam gives me back my money, and that means it's time to get my new lighting. However, I am concerned about power consumption. I am considering three options right now:

1. 4x48" VHO, electronic ballast
2. Dual PFO EYE ballast for 2 250w Iwasaki 6500K
3. Dual PFO EYE ballast for 2 400w Iwasaki 6500K

Now I know I have them listed in order of power draw. What I don't know is how much it would cost each month to use them.

The only reason there's a dilemna here is that I want to use the Iwasakis. But if I knew that the 2X250w setup would use less than a certain amount each month I would get that (and likewise the 2X400w).

So, does anyone know approximately what each of these costs to run? I realize rates are different everywhere, I'm just looking for a ballpark idea.

Thanks!
djp

 

[mariner]

Find out what you are paying per kilowatt first of all. Different costs will make a huge difference. A 1000 watt lamp will use about a kilowatt per hour. From there you can figure out what'll cost you easily. For example, I pay about 8 cents per kilowatt. I use a dual 250 watt PFO ballast. That 500 watts of light(I want to say that that ballast is rated at about 575 watts but that'll be gettting technical). So, I'm using a half of a kilowatt per hour which would be 4 cents. At 12 hours a day times 4 cents equals 48 cents per day for the use of electricity for the reef lights. Lets just round that to 50 cents per day(times 30 days) and that equals fifteen bucks for the entire month. Not bad, if that was the only tank I had. I also run two other tanks. One with dual 400's and another with dual 250's.

[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: mariner ]</p>

 

[IBJJ]

Look here

 

[spdntckt]

Wow... 0.08 per KWh! Guess what we pay here in CA... of course its tired.. but for the 'average' household a reeftank will knock that usage into the 3rd or 4th tier.. at $0.22 per KWH! (its not hard to do.. they only give you somehting like 350kwh on the 1st tier! geez.. a fridge and freezer.. and using the oven a few times a month will practically put you there!)

Lets see... 2x175 MH + 2x95W VHO = 540 watts of light.. Add (conservatively) 10% for ballast inefficiency.. 54 watts.. you get 594

594 watts for 8 hours gives you 4.752Kwh

for 30 days avg. per month = 142.56Kwh

at .22 per kwh = $31.36

and thats just for lighting! good thing my system is looking great with 175s.. otherwise i'd be really broke if i had to do 250s!

 

[mariner]

Well said!