[GT Audio Works]

I have a 4B ST power amp and BCD1 CD player that I leave on all the time. I find the amp takes quite a number of hours to get to the sound I know it is capable of, so its easier to leave it on constantly.

Anyone out there do the same ?

Can anyone estimate the yearly cost of doing so with electricity in the north east at an average of $0.23/kw hr.
                                     
                                   Thanks,
                                       Greg

[brucek]

Using a power meter, my 4BST and Bryston SP2 processor dissipate about 125 watts when left on without playing any music, so you can assume the 4BST to account for about 100 watts of that total, and you can also assume your CD player to be roughly equivalent to my idling processor using 25 watts.

So, that's 3000 watt-hours a day, or 1,095,000 watt-hours a year (or 1095 kilowatt-hours) = about $250 year when power costs $0.23/kw hr.

[turnovertherecord]

I leave it all on all the time

[turnovertherecord]

Where I live we use smart meters

so average is maybe 9 cents/ kwh

[GT Audio Works]

Using a power meter, my 4BST and Bryston SP2 processor dissipate about 125 watts when left on without playing any music, so you can assume the 4BST to account for about 100 watts of that total, and you can also assume your CD player to be roughly equivalent to my idling processor using 25 watts.

So, that's 3000 watt-hours a day, or 1,095,000 watt-hours a year (or 1095 kilowatt-hours) = about $250 year when power costs $0.23/kw hr.

Thanks...I figure it had to be a sizeable amount. Living in the north east everything costs more...don't know why, I sure am not getting more !!
                              Greg

[GT Audio Works]

Where I live we use smart meters

so average is maybe 9 cents/ kwh

Smart meters..I see those videos on youtube of people locking their standard meters so the power company cant swap it for a smart meter..not sure of their reason for doing so.

Electricity, fuel oil, taxes, you name it..its all out of control out here.
I plan on another 4 or 5 years here in NW NJ and then on to better and cheaper places to live !!   Greg

[95Dyna]

Greg,

You don't have to move far.  I'm right down the road from you in central PA where we have competition for the generation portion of the billing.  I just signed up with a new company for $.072 which would bring your 4B annual estimate down to $79.00.  In 30 years you could save enough to pay the closing costs on the purchase of your new home 

[sebrof]

I use a Kill-O-Watt meter. You enter your electric rate ($/KW), plug it into the wall and then your componenet into it, and it tells you how much the unit costs to run.

http://www.amazon.com/Arbor-Scientific-P4400-Kill-Meter/dp/B001JHGY2Q

[GT Audio Works]

Greg,

You don't have to move far.  I'm right down the road from you in central PA where we have competition for the generation portion of the billing.  I just signed up with a new company for $.072 which would bring your 4B annual estimate down to $79.00.  In 30 years you could save enough to pay the closing costs on the purchase of your new home 

Thanks for the info , but I have spent many a cold night stargazing in North central Pa. at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport.
I am looking for a more temperate climate. I am in love with the Oregon high desert and even though it gets cold at night during the winter it can warm up considerably by day.
Since they have a lot of clear days I plan on using as much solar as I can afford.

30 years ??!! In 30 years I will be ready for a dirt nap !!
Greg

[GT Audio Works]

I use a Kill-O-Watt meter. You enter your electric rate ($/KW), plug it into the wall and then your componenet into it, and it tells you how much the unit costs to run.

http://www.amazon.com/Arbor-Scientific-P4400-Kill-Meter/dp/B001JHGY2Q

cool !!

[srb]

You can save a bit more money ordering the P4400 direct from Amazon (Free shipping on orders over $35)
Kill A Watt P4400 from Amazon

or you can order from Home Depot online with Free Ship To Store
Kill A Watt P4400 from Home Depot

Steve

[95Dyna]

Thanks for the info , but I have spent many a cold night stargazing in North central Pa. at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport.
I am looking for a more temperate climate. I am in love with the Oregon high desert and even though it gets cold at night during the winter it can warm up considerably by day.
Since they have a lot of clear days I plan on using as much solar as I can afford.

30 years ??!! In 30 years I will be ready for a dirt nap !!
Greg

Yeah, you and me both.  At this point I'm just hoping to outlive the warranty on my 7BSST2's and BP26.  I still have 15 years left 

[Elizabeth]

Ten years ago my Forte 4a class A 50 watts/channel left on 24/7 cost me an extra $10 a month electicity.
Now leaving my Bryston 4B-SST² and BP-26 plus a bunch of other audio gear on 24/7 cost me about $30 to $35 a month.
Ten more years and I am certain the cost will be over $100 a month.

(I also leave my gear on 24/7 because it sounds better after being on a long time.)

[I.Greyhound Fan]

My Pass X250 amp uses 270 watts at idle, needless to say I keep it turned off.

[Phoenix]

My Neumann/Bryston combo sounds perfect right from the beginning.
No need to waste resources.

[GT Audio Works]

My Neumann/Bryston combo sounds perfect right from the beginning.
No need to waste resources.

I agree it is a waste of resources... 
But for me, critical listening is a big part of this game, I most definitely hear the difference between a cold and a warmed up component.
I find my systems sound begins to come together after about 5 to 6 hrs. of warm up. I need the system at a reference point every time I evaluate a change I make in my speakers or I find I am just chasing my tail. Or if I am auditioning them for a potential customer I want the setup at its best. There is promise with class D in this regard...low power consumption and good sound I have heard from amps like Arion Audio.

I should try to curtail my amps on time for the environment and my pocket.
Of course there are many other things we should be doing to change the sorry state of our environment...revamp the auto industry, the public transportation infrastructure, energy generation and consumption, wasteful packaging, and first on my list...politicians that gladly sacrifice our land , air , water and a healthy future for our children, for money and power. "It's good to be the King ! ", to quote Mel Brooks.
 
Oh SHIT.. there I go, starting a biased political rant...wrong forum for that !!!  Greg

[Phil A]

Since they have a lot of clear days I plan on using as much solar as I can afford.


Greg

Solar is a good way to go.  Moved from the DC area to eastern central FL.  House has integrated solar panels.  There are currently solar tax credits available - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Get-Credit-for-Making-Your-Home-Energy-Efficient-or-Buying-Energy-Efficient-Products

The house has a pool pump running too and just gas for cooking.  Last month the bill was a $9.25 service charge and the most it has been over the last several months was a hair under $41 for a month.

[GT Audio Works]

Solar is a good way to go.  Moved from the DC area to eastern central FL.  House has integrated solar panels.  There are currently solar tax credits available - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Get-Credit-for-Making-Your-Home-Energy-Efficient-or-Buying-Energy-Efficient-Products

The house has a pool pump running too and just gas for cooking.  Last month the bill was a $9.25 service charge and the most it has been over the last several months was a hair under $41 for a month.

Thanks for the info. I have just started to investigate solar. I plan on it being my only source of energy besides a generator, as I am looking at properties off the grid. The biggest load will be a well pump, but depending on the depth of the well which can be substantial in the high desert, it will draw a lot of current.  Greg

[rollo]

OK my take. Granted when at proper operating temp all sounds better. It takes about one hour or more depending on temp of room. Leaving your gear on 24/7 will require a demag of system periodically to remove magnetic build up.
      The only gear I leave on is digital and the amps in stand by mode. The input { tube } is off. For tubed gear turn o for about 15 minutes, then play for an hour and enjoy.
      Another concern is break in. When on 24/7 the dielectrics never fully settle. We have found for break in 6 hours on six hours off speeds up the process and quite affective.
       For those who leave it on 24/7 try unplugging all for 24 hours and then demag and let it warm up for an hour then listen and report back. You may be quite surprised as to the outcome. Have fun trying.


charles

[rajacat]

How do you demag a system?