Solved Unplugging a computer & modem/router combo saved me about $40...

[groze]

Unplugging a computer & modem/router combo save me about $40 USD a month off of our electric bill.

I have an all-one computer (Not a laptop) supposedly energy star efficient. I actually done a test but I don't know if it is the computer or the modem/router combo. The computer received power while it was off, the router was always on. I changed that, the computer and the modem/router combo is now totally unplugged so I saved $40.00 off of our electric bill. The computer & modem/router combo is now unplugged for 6 to 12 hours a day.

 

[Layback Bear]

I use surge protectors on both my computers and modems/router.
When I turn off the computers I also turn off the surge protectors which turns off everything including my router and modem.

Everything that hooks to my computers are hooked to the surge protectors;
speakers, printers, ect. So everything is turned off. (No power)

You can also use this method for a T.V.
When a T.V. is off it isn't really off, it's in kind of in standby mode using electricity.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I changed that, the computer and the modem/router combo is now totally unplugged so I saved $40.00 off of our electric bill.

Can you provide the arithmetic on how you calculated that as $40?

How much do you pay per killowatt hour for electricity?

 

[strollin]

I am very skeptical that a computer, router and modem would use $40/month of electricity. I agree with, ignatzatsonic, need to know how you came up with the $40 figure. http://www.sevenforums.com/members/ignatzatsonic.html

 

[groze]

Ok $30 to $40 USD. It is a Comcast modem/router combo and a dell computer. I did a test that is how. Dosn't matter on the kilowatts per hour. I did a test, for a few months both ways. That why I didn't say anything about it before confirming this. I do have them plugged into a surge protector. Now instead of leaving the surge Procter plugged in at night, it comes unplugged. Our bill use to run around $110 now runs around $80 this was during the winter. I consider that proof enough for us.

Layback bear, I unplug more stuff if a storm is suppose to happen, to prevent either a direct or indirect electrical surge from lighting.

 

[derekimo]

That still seems like quite a bit, not trying to disprove anything but my entire electric bill averages $40-$45 a month.

I have the Comcast modem/router combo and a plasma tv running 24/7 along with the usual household appliances.

Kilowatts per hour actually might be a factor.

Either way, good on you for reducing your bill.

 

[groze]

That still seems like quite a bit, not trying to disprove anything but my entire electric bill averages $40-$45 a month.

I have the Comcast modem/router combo and a plasma tv running 24/7 along with the usual household appliances.

Kilowatts per hour actually might be a factor.

Either way, good on you for reducing your bill.

I am not saying it is the dell computer, it could be the Comcast modem/router which I wouldn't be surprised at all. The reason, even though I am renting this is I had the modem/router replaced at least 4 times. After the last replacement, I decided to do the test after seeing are our high electrical bill, it took a few month of testing. The last replacement was actually caused by a electrical surge from a lighting strike. Avg cost now is .1333 per KWh USD plus taxes and fees if any.

 

[derekimo]

We have a tier system for our electric rates, tier 1 is the lowest and tier 4 the highest rates.

I usually use up all my tier 1 and end up in tier 2 rates by the end of the month.

Tier 1 rates are .16352 kWh

Tier 2 rates are .18673 kWh

I never reach the other tiers.

Interesting test anyway.

 

[ThrashZone]

You never know about Comcast
They do wifi sharing with other Comcast users

But yea it does seem like a lot of savings.
What do you have a 20k watt psu

 

[groze]

I have the Comcast modem/router combo and a plasma tv running 24/7 along with the usual household appliances.

You can try it if you want when you know you are not going to use the computer for awhile. If you depend on voip or wifi 24/7 then I wouldn't do that. While unplugged those services won't work. Comcast Voip will work for a little while unplugged. Comcast voice mail should still work.

 

[derekimo]

They do wifi sharing with other Comcast users

They don't make it easy to turn off either.

I have the Comcast modem/router combo and a plasma tv running 24/7 along with the usual household appliances.

You can try it if you want when you know you are not going to use the computer for awhile. If you depend on voip or wifi 24/7 then I wouldn't do that. While unplugged those services won't work. Comcast Voip will work for a little while unplugged.

That immediately kills my home phone if I do that, my old modem came with a battery to keep it going for a while.

The new combo one they will sell you a battery but it doesn't come with one.

We just got a new provider in the area I've been tempted to switch, I probably will soon when Comcast raises my bill.

 

[groze]

derekimo,

Comcast does have lower speeds. It maybe a little buffering but to me, it sure better than dial-up. If comcast gets to high, then I will consider switching as well. I also have a provider here that fiber and reasonable for just internet service. We are going to be moving with-in the next year or so. It depends on what the place offers or allows if we got to a rental.

 

[derekimo]

derekimo,

Comcast does have lower speeds. It maybe a little buffering but to me, it sure better than dial-up. If comcast gets to high, then I will consider switching as well. I also have a provider here that fiber and reasonable for just internet service. We are going to be moving with-in the next year or so. It depends on what the place offers or allows if we got to a rental.

Yeah, I've looked at their different packages and almost switched to ATT last year just to lower my bill but they countered with a big discount for a year so I stuck with them.

The new provider is a much smaller company and has reasonable rates so I wouldn't mind changing to them.

I'm looking to move too but that's another ordeal.

 

[groze]

You never know about Comcast
They do wifi sharing with other Comcast users

But yea it does seem like a lot of savings.
What do you have a 20k watt psu

Here is some specs on my Dell All-in-one computer system but got this info of the dell website. Not sure if all these apply to my system.

Type 130 W
Input voltage 100 VAC‑240 VAC
Input current (maximum) 2.50 A
Input frequency 50 Hz‑60 Hz
Output current (continuous) 6.70 A
Rated output voltage 19.50 +/‑1 VDC
Temperature range
Operating 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F)
Storage –40 °C to 70 °C (–40 °F to 158 °F)
Computer Environment
Temperature range:
Operating 0 °C to 35 °C (32 °F to 95 °F)
Storage –40 °C to 65 °C (–40 °F to 149 °F)
Relative humidity (maximum):
Operating 10% to 90% (non‑condensing)
Storage 10% to 95% (non‑condensing)
Maximum vibration (using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user
environment):
Operating 0.66 GRMS
Storage 1.30 GRMS
Maximum shock (measured with hard drive in operating status and a 2‑ms 
half‑sine pulse for operating. Also measured with hard drive in head‑parked 
position and a 2‑ms half‑sine pulse for storage):
Operating 110 G
Storage 160 G
Altitude (maximum)
Operating –15.2 m to 3048 m (–50 ft to 10,000 ft)
Storage –15.2 m to 10,668 m (–50 ft to 35,000 ft)

Comcast Combo Modem/router
115 VAC 50/60 Hz 0.7 A Max

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Dosn't matter on the kilowatts per hour.

I see.