How much power am I using?

[GreyGeek]

My computer setup is an 2012 Acer Aspire V3-771G with 16 GB of RAM, two SSD's and a spinner, an Nvidia GT 650M, a Logitech external stereo speaker system and an HP LaserJet P1606dn mono duplex printer. Also attached to the same outlet is a 9W lamp.

I usually turn my setup on around 10-12 in the morning and leave it on until 10-12 at night. I got curious as to how much electricity I was consuming. So, I plugged a Kill-a-watt meter into the outlet and plugged the power strip into the Kill-a-watt meter. I noticed that when the printer first turns on it consumes about 500 watts for a couple of seconds, then 200 watts for about 5 seconds and then it drops to a few watts. My average wattage consumption varied between 40 and 90 watts, depending on what I was doing.

I switched the meter to KWH and let it accumulate for a full day. It reported that I consumed 0.44 KWH over 12 hours, or, .44KWH/day. For 30 days that would amount to 13.20 KWH. Here in Lincoln I pay 5.5 cents per KWH. My computer, printer and peripherals costs me 72 cents per month in electric charges to operate. Our apartment is all electric and we used 712KWH in June and it costs me $39.02 for the electricity, but after the gov tacked on their fees it doubled my bill. In the winter months we use about 1,200-1,400 KWH/mo.

So, if I left my computer on 24/7/365 it would cost only $1.44/mo to operate.

[jglen490]

So GG, are you bored?

[TWPonKubuntu]

@GreyGeek, sounds like you need a new governor in your computer system...

[jlittle]

... after the gov tacked on their fees it doubled...

I did some work for a company specializing in US utility billing. Some US states and municipalities use the power bill as their tax collection system; the taxpayers are encouraged to pay by the threat of having the power cut off. The bills for one utility had four pages of line items for an ordinary bill and a nightly billing generated 3 GB/s of "rollback segments" (some Oracle thing).

[GreyGeek]

@GreyGeek, sounds like you need a new governor in your computer system...

Ya, we do.
He was the least worse of the two choices we had.
;(

[GreyGeek]

So GG, are you bored?

Totally!
An astute observation, BTW!
Look for my next post, another boredom fight.

[GreyGeek]

I did some work for a company specializing in US utility billing. Some US states and municipalities use the power bill as their tax collection system; the taxpayers are encouraged to pay by the threat of having the power cut off. The bills for one utility had four pages of line items for an ordinary bill and a nightly billing generated 3 GB/s of "rollback segments" (some Oracle thing).

I exaggerated a bit. About half of the doubling is savings for future expenses.

I've noticed that NYC, LA, Chicago and other big cities have electric rates as high as 37 cents/KWH.

We are fortunate here in Lincoln. NE. Lincoln Electric System is not a publicly traded for-profit company so we have excellent rates. The CEO and board members are paid reasonable salaries and they do a great job of planning ahead for future needs, and creating funds to meet those needs.