I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (Full Version)

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pahunkboy -> I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 6:57:34 AM)

http://www.google.com/search?client=gmail&rls=gm&q=furnace%20blower%20fan%20watts%20used

I had to keep it warmer - so I am guessing the furnace cycles on more.

??



Termyn8or -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 8:13:06 AM)

I dunno about that link, it's just a google search.

Here's an engineering irony for you. The blower pulls less power if the filter is dirty.

Now don't go blocking the filter, any savings are more than offset by it having to run longer. See how they get you coming and going ?

T



pahunkboy -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 8:27:11 AM)

If I read that right 650 watts- which is what a small AC uses.

I used 100 more kilo watts last month.



DarkSteven -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 9:12:40 AM)

The amount of electric you use is proportional to degree-days.  That's the number of degrees below 70 degrees, multiplied by the number of days it was below that.  So the colder it gets, and the longer it stays cold, the more power you use to heat.  Logical.



pahunkboy -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 9:23:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

The amount of electric you use is proportional to degree-days.  That's the number of degrees below 70 degrees, multiplied by the number of days it was below that.  So the colder it gets, and the longer it stays cold, the more power you use to heat.  Logical.



even with gas forced air?



KatyLied -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 11:28:12 AM)

It takes more fuel of any type to keep your house warm as it gets colder.



Aylee -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 11:50:42 AM)

Why was any of this a mystery?



littlewonder -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 11:53:18 AM)

I was wondering the same thing. Isn't this something one learns in grade school?

I kept wondering if there was something I was missing in the post.




RapierFugue -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 11:58:36 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aylee
Why was any of this a mystery?

Because he's mind bogglingly stupid.



DarkSteven -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 12:35:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

The amount of electric you use is proportional to degree-days.  That's the number of degrees below 70 degrees, multiplied by the number of days it was below that.  So the colder it gets, and the longer it stays cold, the more power you use to heat.  Logical.



even with gas forced air?



Yep.

Your heater is given the task of heating up the air within your house.  Let's say that it is 45 degrees outside and your heater's set to 70.  That means that your heater has to produce enough heat to keep the temp at 70 while some of the heat is bleeding out to the outside through leaks, windows, etc.  The more leaky the path is to the outside, the more heat gets lost and the more your heater has to work to keep the heat up.  If you leave windows and doors open, don't insulate, etc., then the path becomes more leaky and you have to work your heater more and pay more to do so.

It makes no difference whether your heater is gas or electric - the amount of heat supplied is the same.

There IS one exception - the heat pump.  (That's essentially an air conditioner turned around to supply heat instead of cooling air.)  While other heaters simply dump heat into the air, the heat pump extracts heat from air.  The result is that it will provide heat for about a third of the energy cost of conventional electric or gas.



angelikaJ -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/8/2011 5:06:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

The amount of electric you use is proportional to degree-days.  That's the number of degrees below 70 degrees, multiplied by the number of days it was below that.  So the colder it gets, and the longer it stays cold, the more power you use to heat.  Logical.



even with gas forced air?



PA,
I heat with oil forced hot air and every winter my electric bill goes up. My electric co lists on my bill my wattage usage for each month over the past year so I can actually see my usage.

Now 2 years ago my furnace was on the fritz and instead of having electic bills that run around $60 bucks a month (winter usage) I was in the $400s from using 2 space heaters very sparingly. The rest of the year my bill is around $45.




Termyn8or -> RE: I used more eletric this Winter- maybe this is why? (1/9/2011 1:55:23 AM)

"There IS one exception - the heat pump.  (That's essentially an air conditioner turned around to supply heat instead of cooling air.)  While other heaters simply dump heat into the air, the heat "

Not around here. Heat pumps are in the dumps in most of Ohio because it gets so cold that it has to run so long that it costs more, and has a hard time doing the job. When you get a couple of months below 20 F there is not enough heat energy in the outside air to make the conversion efficient.

As an engineer you know of course that a heat exchanger needs a difference in temperature to work well, so to extract heat out of the air it must literally cool the outside air. That means the condenser must be colder than the outside air. Now in Florida that is not a problem, but up here the things are just worth shit.

Actually the advent of the heat pump was good for some. For one scrappers made a few bucks, but who really had it good were those who would pick up these discarded units, remove the reversing valves and have a nifty central AC unit for next to nothing.

Also the reversing valves were a major source of problems, but there was no other way to accomplish the task because you can't just reverse the compressor motor when it uses reed valves. You might be able to with some scroll compressors but they are pricey. Nice and quiet though when compared to the usual reciprocating type.

To the best of my knowledge right now it is still more cost effective to use gas, even though it also uses electricity. Actually mine doesn't !

That's right I got an ancient gravity furnace which uses no electricity at all. I will never give it up. If I decide someday to install central AC it will be a split system probably with a low end electric furnace. I doubt I'd have over $400 into it, and the air box for AC only costs probably half that. But it gives options, like a backup heating system. Others need both gas and electric for heat, I like this just the way it is. And if it gets too hot in the summer I have the old airconditionerzilla here.

Nice efficient unit, it is designed to throw the condensate from the room out and onto the condenser coil.

T



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