Forum Discussion
47 Replies
- Cummins12V98Explorer III
downtheroad wrote:
I have learned that not much about RVing is about saving money.
Heck, We paid a ton for these rigs and a ton more for something to pull them. If we wanted to rough it and save money I'd go back to tent camping and not have to think about a water heater.
We relax. We leave ours on all the time when we are camping and don't even think about the extra pennies.
EXACTLY!!!
Really is amazing how some will spend so much time and energy to save a nickel. - ZOSOExplorer
Sport45 wrote:
ZOSO wrote:
Sport45 wrote:
csamayfield55 wrote:
I don't have any exact numbers here but from someone who works around commercial AC and heating systems here is my thoughts. You can either take it or leave it.
It takes WAY more BTU's (British thermal unit's) to heat water from ambient temperature to say 120 deg. than it does to maintain that temperature for a period of time. The water heater may cycle 4 or 5 times a day for short periods but it is not nearly as much heat energy than letting it cool and then reheat even 2 times a day.
Same for your AC unit's. If you let your rig heat soak till it is too hot to bear inside then turn on your AC it will take much more energy to remove that heat than if you set your stat at a comfortable level and maintain that level.
Chris
Sounds good on the surface, but I ain't buying it.
The heat loss from the hot water tank is to the atmosphere through the insulation on the tank. Heat loss is a function of the temperature difference so the colder the water is the less btu's per hour are being lost. Keeping it hot 24 hrs/day means you are radiating the most heat to the atmosphere and that has to be replenished with propane or electricity. Allowing it to cool between uses radiates less heat and uses less energy in the long run. (Even if it seems like it's firing longer).
Well, I'm going to agree to disagree with you on this Sport45. I'm definitely buying what Chris is selling!
As you wish.
But unlike speed limits, it's hard to break the laws of thermodynamics. :)
One would have to know how much heat is radiated to the atmosphere with the heater firing however many time a day, to maintain temperature VS. how much heat is radiated to the atmosphere with the heater firing however many times a day to heat water from air temperature to usable hot temperature. Obviously the heat source would run longer to take water up from air temperature.
Throw in all the variables and personal use habits...Well, it's not just as simple as a science lab law. A control experiment doesn't really indicate how things would pan out on a personal use level.
I wonder if anyone flips there HW heater on and off in their house? - Sport45Explorer II
ZOSO wrote:
Sport45 wrote:
csamayfield55 wrote:
I don't have any exact numbers here but from someone who works around commercial AC and heating systems here is my thoughts. You can either take it or leave it.
It takes WAY more BTU's (British thermal unit's) to heat water from ambient temperature to say 120 deg. than it does to maintain that temperature for a period of time. The water heater may cycle 4 or 5 times a day for short periods but it is not nearly as much heat energy than letting it cool and then reheat even 2 times a day.
Same for your AC unit's. If you let your rig heat soak till it is too hot to bear inside then turn on your AC it will take much more energy to remove that heat than if you set your stat at a comfortable level and maintain that level.
Chris
Sounds good on the surface, but I ain't buying it.
The heat loss from the hot water tank is to the atmosphere through the insulation on the tank. Heat loss is a function of the temperature difference so the colder the water is the less btu's per hour are being lost. Keeping it hot 24 hrs/day means you are radiating the most heat to the atmosphere and that has to be replenished with propane or electricity. Allowing it to cool between uses radiates less heat and uses less energy in the long run. (Even if it seems like it's firing longer).
Well, I'm going to agree to disagree with you on this Sport45. I'm definitely buying what Chris is selling!
As you wish.
But unlike speed limits, it's hard to break the laws of thermodynamics. :) - wildtoadExplorer IIWhen I only had a gas wh I'd start it in the morning then turn it off. Start it again about dinner time and cut it off after showering, sooner if we didn't shower. Our current MH has both gas and electric where the electric draws only 4 amps, I leave the electric on all the time, and use the gas if we need a quicker recovery.
- ZOSOExplorer
2oldman wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
And you only had to sit in the same place for one year to earn it!
$0.27 x 365 = $98.55 = a pretty fine dinner for two in many places.
Hahahahahahahah!! Oh my goodness, you Guys are killing me!!:B - 2oldmanExplorer II
pianotuna wrote:
And you only had to sit in the same place for one year to earn it!
$0.27 x 365 = $98.55 = a pretty fine dinner for two in many places. - ZOSOExplorer
bpounds wrote:
ckwizard777 wrote:
Why are y'all even worrying about this.
Turn it on and forget about it.
We're taking a break from arguing over tires and hitches. Hey, we gotta argue over something. :)
Hahahahahahahahaa!! Oh Yeah! That's gold!! :B - pianotunaNomad IIIPennies do add up. Particularly if you want to use (gasp) a generator for the electrical power. That 27 cents becomes more like $2.70.
When I was part time I would 'cheat' and use my water heater to knock down the battery bank so my modest solar system would have to work to replenish the battery bank.
$0.27 x 365 = $98.55 = a pretty fine dinner for two in many places. - bpoundsNomad
ckwizard777 wrote:
Why are y'all even worrying about this.
Turn it on and forget about it.
We're taking a break from arguing over tires and hitches. Hey, we gotta argue over something. :) - bpoundsNomad
2oldman wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
OK. At 15¢/kwh (which is high) that would be 27¢/day.
6 cycles per day to do not very much at all. The electric setting draws 1200 watts so that is 1.8 KWH of wasted energy.... But someone is paying the bill. If it is you, turn off and save your pennies.
Yes, you will be saving pennies.
And that's if you don't use any hot water throughout the day. I sorta like washing my hands after using the toilet. But that's just me. Pennies be damned.
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