Solar power question

[S.O.P]

What are others using per day? If you have never audited your power I'd strongly recommend it - learn to read your meter and get into the habit of opening the power box and write down your reading every day when you walk past.

My setup sounds the same as yours, eco. I don't crawl under tables, we have 2 computers plus ADSL modem. One computer is a HTPC which stays in standby with the TV constantly sucking power. Microwave, can't get to the power switch. 2 Adults, 2 Kids. Electric everything. Edit: No solar power, yes to solar hot water.

This is our best quarter for a while, even though the bill steadily increases (funny that):

[gardenlen]

just to define the ball park:

we have 2 computers and a power back up on standby all the time
a microwave on standby all the time
we turn tv off on the wall at bedtime
because of poorly designed and oriented house we rent we have 2 pedestal fans going all day and one sometimes into the night.
one light on each night until lights out
and use twin tub washer once a week dryer rarely gets used
wash dishes by hand
fridge and tucker box freezer

again along with the poor house design power points for computers ridiculously low and hard to get at.

only 2 adults

len

[eco4560]

Hey Len good luck with the house build!

SOP you are doing pretty well - that bill works out at 8.2 kW/day.

I had 2 adults and 2 kids when the electricity was being used for the last bill. I'm down to one adult and 2 kids (well they are teenagers so they consume more EVERYTHING than I do). I have a room for rent as a consequence - and if there are any pygmies out there who love nothing better than getting under desks and turning power points off before bed I might even do room and board for next to nothing!

[pebble]

Extension cords and power boards with a switch on each point are a pretty cheap investment that will last decades, if not the rest of your life ;-) I'd be looking at that irrespective of increasing panels or not, but it makes sense to decrease consumption first.

[Grasshopper]

My power boards x3 all have a master switch on them I flick it off and on with my toe.
Have a look on Ebay

[eco4560]

For the power board or the toe?

[eco4560]

Well that worked out ok! I spent $50 on a remote that switches off 4 power boards around the house, and I saved $90 on my first quarterly bill since I got it.

[pebble]

Excellent!

[purplepear]

We have one of those Eco. They work fine though I was a little dismayed that it draws a watt itself when pluged in. I can see how it would be a great advantage for your microwave situation.
Well done with the audit and consumption reduction. Is this in some way a product of your PDC do you think?

[eco4560]

No it's a byproduct of my reduced income and the need to not send money out the door!