power consumption

Hi Richard: 12 to 13 cents per kWh for Edison Co. in LA. Our average monthly consumption is around 300 kWh's and I assume that we are quite frugal as the main consumption is from the Hifi's, the computer and the fridge (no A/C, we have gas appliances and lighting is on the light side:-).

Mrowlands: Good point. I use a Musical Fidelity X-A1 integrated amp in a guest bedroom system (also where we keep the computer) and it idles in Class A, though it switches to Class A/B at 3-5 watts output. I now turn this amp off (when not in use) even though it does not sound as good this way in order to conserve energy (we live in the LA area). I did keep this amp on 7/24 for approx. six weeks to burn in various cables and this practice was very evident on our power bills. We do not use air conditioning and such and our electrical usage is generaly the same each month. Around January we started using night lights (instead of keeping the kitchen light on at night and such) and also turn the computer off each evening, when we go to sleep. These are little things that all add up. I do leave all of the digital components on 7/24 as I feel like I have wasted my investment when I listen to them cold, but they seem to draw very little current and the amp in the main system is tube, which gets turned off when it will not be used for a couple of hours or so (I also have somewhat of a set listening schedule based on my wife's activities and both of us are home most of the time). In the good old days everything was left powered up 7/24. Anyway, other than just worrying about the gear I recommend that all power usage be given a look at which includes reajusting the wattage of incandescent light bulbs being used in various locations and anything else that can be thought of. Most flourescent fixtures use as much energy starting up each time as they do running for 4-6 hours (study done by the Des Moines, IA school district in the 60's, as I recall).

Richard: We were eligible for a 20% (I think) discount for X amount of months usage, but went over the base line usage (the power company's estimate) and did not qualify. So, there is an incentive, in the system, to lower one's consumption. We went over due to me burning in a bunch of cable 7/24 in April and May, I am certain. I guess that this is a good example of a mute point. I wonder if the rates go higher if one uses a lot more power than we do or goes "way" over the base line? We have a neighbor who runs the A\C all day long (for her dog) and I will take a look at her bill to see if this is the case. It seems that there would be a penalty as well as a discount.

Richard: No hair dryers since trimming off the old Mullet 20 years ago. It's the Musical Fidelity amp that sucks the most power (not the tube amp). The MF amp also plays, at volume, for a good 10-15 seconds or so after its power has been cut. The power supply unit weighs in at 5 lb.