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Typical energy usage?

Last post Thu, Oct 01 2009, 9:09 AM by jimmyjam. 3 replies.
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  •  Wed, Sep 30 2009, 10:45 AM

    Typical energy usage?

    Ive had energy meters fitted on our circuits in the office and want something to compare the kwh readings to? Is there an online list giving typical results for printers, pc's etc etc in a normal small size office?

    • Post Points: 35
  •  Wed, Sep 30 2009, 8:53 PM

    Re: Typical energy usage?

    There should be a plaque on every appliance. For example my printer here uses 0.4A maximum. If it was printing away using full power for an hour, that would be 240Volts x 0.4Amps x 1 hour = 96 Wh or 0.096 kWh (one kWh = 1 unit) which would cost me about 1p. Of course, when it is printing, it wont be using full power all the time. It will be using much less when it is just thinking but not moving and even less than that when on standby. Generally speaking, appliances that create heat (heaters, kettle, fridge, etc.) are the ones that use most power and other appliances use very little. You should certainly fit energy saving bulbs and turn most things off at the mains at night but you shouldn't worry about the usage for PCs and printers if you are sitting next to an electric heater.

    You need to be careful with your business supply contract because many suppliers will charge silly rates if you accidentally go out of contract by, for example, forgetting to renew it.

    • Post Points: 20
  •  Wed, Sep 30 2009, 9:57 PM

    Re: Typical energy usage?

    jimmyjam:

    As maxsteam correctly points out, compared with heating electronics don't use that much power. What power they do use contributes to the space heating during the heating season, so is not necessarily "wasted".

    What form of heating does your office have?

    • Post Points: 5
  •  Thu, Oct 01 2009, 9:09 AM

    Re: Typical energy usage?

    thanks, finally a bit of clarity in all this confusion!
    • Post Points: 5