Just had the electricity and gas bill in. Nearly fell over when they say they are increasing my DD from £163 a month to £273. Now I know power has gone up but they say the consumption has increased a lot too. So, most nights I spend about 2 hours on the torch and garage, then its the hold and overnight ramp down. Anyone have an idea how much leccy a session like that would use? Not planning to stop mind, just curious!
Not sure but youcan get a gadget that I think you can plug yourkiln into that will tell you the actual cost. There may be a thread on this, otherwise I'm sure somebody will be along to give you a better idea. :)
It's more likely that the increase is due to heating the house because of the bad winter we've just had.
I only do flat stuff in my cube but a full firing including a conservative anneal costs about 9p for me! I have mine plugged in via a meter thing.
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on May 09, 2013, 07:39:15 PM
It's more likely that the increase is due to heating the house because of the bad winter we've just had.
I agree, it's been such a long cold spring. I've just lit the woodburner again this evening - it's much too cold to sit without it!
Nick
I checked my SC2 with a power meter and that was only costing me pennies for a full firing including a 7.5 hour garage so a bead cube should be loads less.
Actuallythe power metre has been an eye opener - I've gone mad testing everything since we got it, no longer leave the TV on standby (got a power off thing for that) or the dishwasher on after the cycle finishes - that draws a lot of current doing nothing. I got mine from Amazon - apparently this is it, on special offer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plug-In-Power-and-Energy-Monitor/dp/B000Q7PJGW/ref=sr_1_3?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1368125107&sr=1-3&keywords=power+meter
Lidls do them for about half the price of amazon, but not continuously on sale, of course.
They seem good enough but I have allowed the internal batteries to expire, so they reset to zero every time the mains is turned off.
the boiler packed up too at the coldest time and we were 3 weeks running heat on electric so s'pose thats the main culprit, but the gas isnt cheaper to compensate!
So its not my little bead cube then thats costing me a fortune! I'm going to get one of those electric power meter things anyway and check everything
Thanks everyone
Mine allows me to plumb in the unit cost so you can press a button and it will say exactly how much it's cost!
When we checked ours a few years back the fridge was the culprit - we brought a super duper Fridge freezer +AAA rated that paid for itself, in electricity saved, in the first year.
I'd love to know how much a full fuse schedule costs in a KC Ace or SC2 if anyone knows?
You can check on the controller after the program has finished how much electricity the firing used and use this to work out the cost if electricity used. I don't think they use much less than a £1 a time though if you have an oxycon and ventilation these will also be adding to your electricity bill.
I found that the units the controller told me and the units the meter told me were vastly different. I wonder if the controller takes into account it's own use as well as the power drawn through it for the kiln?
As well as those plug-in meters, a lot of supplies will give you a home monitor if you ask - tells you everything that's drawing - I know it can't give you the cost of the kiln specifically, but put the monitor somwhere you will see it before bedtime, and it's a great reminder to switch everything off properly!
Ah that's interesting Rachel. I'll look out your a meter. Thanks
Dawn I think I have one of those somewhere I must hunt it out. I had an interview today and saw some lovely work of yours on the wall.
Quote from: Zeldazog on May 09, 2013, 10:33:43 PM
As well as those plug-in meters, a lot of supplies will give you a home monitor if you ask - tells you everything that's drawing - I know it can't give you the cost of the kiln specifically, but put the monitor somwhere you will see it before bedtime, and it's a great reminder to switch everything off properly!
I have one of them at home.... I've a feeling if I set it up at the studio, the 3 phase might blow it up! ;D
Quote from: Flyingcheesetoastie on May 09, 2013, 10:39:25 PM
I have one of them at home.... I've a feeling if I set it up at the studio, the 3 phase might blow it up! ;D
You've just reminded me that Eon told me to phone them up for a special one at the studio Rachel - We've got three phases coming in as it's an industrial unit, so the normal monitors can't monitor our whole studio usage - but they did say they have special ones to monitor three phase...
Quote from: Sarah A on May 09, 2013, 10:36:22 PM
Dawn I think I have one of those somewhere I must hunt it out. I had an interview today and saw some lovely work of yours on the wall.
Ooooh thank you Sarah ;D although am curious - was it Heanor way by any chance? Hope it was a good luck charm! x
Quote from: Zeldazog on May 09, 2013, 11:05:48 PM
Quote from: Sarah A on May 09, 2013, 10:36:22 PM
Dawn I think I have one of those somewhere I must hunt it out. I had an interview today and saw some lovely work of yours on the wall.
Ooooh thank you Sarah ;D although am curious - was it Heanor way by any chance? Hope it was a good luck charm! x
Mind you, just remembered you're a teacher aren't you Sarah? Was it my big piece :o my son goes there ;)