Reducing Electric Costs

[BruceAllen]

I was wondering, is it possible to reduce electric costs by pulling fuses and turning off switches on the breaker? I tripped the breaker a few times when it was really cold out and I had both heaters running full blast. Which was weird because I was under 2800 watts. Then I flipped the breaker for the A/C. Apparently it was getting enough juice to make a difference and I haven't had an issue since.

In any event, can I do the same thing for the fuses? If I pull a fuse does it also turn off the power to that part of the RV? Any downsides to doing that?

[BruceAllen]

Thanks for the posts. Some good tips here!

Appliances actually do use power even when they're turned off. You guys don't have to believe what I'm telling you, but I tried everything to stop the breaker from tripping, but it wasn't until I switch the A/C switch that it stopped.

http://gogreeninyourhome.com/how-to-save-electricity/appliances-still-use-power-when-turned-off/

I just want to make sure I'm not going to damage anything or do something wrong by removing fuses and flipping switches on the breaker.

[BruceAllen]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Converter/charger maintaining battery voltage.

What do you mean by this? If I'm parked and hooked up to a power supply with a cord, can I turn this off? How?

[Old-Biscuit]

Instead of pulling fuses/flipping CB off just reduce the amount of energy being used.

Unless something is ON it is not using electricity...except for those items that are 'hot' when off. And that energy consumption is minimal.

When you stated you tripped 'the breaker' .... was that the CG power pedestal breaker? A 30A breaker?

2800W accounts for 2 space heaters going full blast but what else was ON?
Lights, TV, water heater/fridge on electric of propane?
Converter/charger maintaining battery voltage.

A/C Unit uses NO AC power unless it is ON......flipping 120V AC CB OFF would NOT lower energy usage

Sounds more like power pedestal CB was being overloaded....you had more then 2800W and/or power pedestal CB is weak (tripping early)

[GordonThree]

Easy answer: reduce heating costs by turning down the thermostat and wearing heavier clothing. Try some mild calisthenics - the body is great at generating heat, turn sugar into btus.

Homework: Determine which costs more per kwh (or btu), propane or electricity in your area... then use the cheaper option for heat, supplementing with the more expensive option.

Extra credit: find a park that doesn't charge based on usage - I've never stayed at a park that charged extra / separate for electric, but I've never stayed anywhere more than a week at a time.

[2oldman]

I don't know what the a/c could possibly be drawing if it's off.

[DutchmenSport]

Your little "fuses" are for running those items in your RV on 12 volt DC (your battery). Pulling them will make no difference on your electric bill.

Now, flipping your breakers, that's turning off circuits for your 110 volt AC power (like Air Conditioner, outlet plugs, microwave, and any other appliance you have plugged in). I wouldn't think flipping the breaker would make that much difference. Maybe a penny or two a year over the next million years may make a difference, but in the short term (say, less than 10,000 years), it probably won't make any difference.

More than likely, the breakers inside your camper are only 15 amp. Basically, you can run only one 1500 watt item on a circuit (along with some other things), and that's about all.