Being More Efficient

[grouper therapy]

mysterybox;741253 wrote: my wasteline waters my grass?

OP has great points...We are energy hogs and waste gazillion gallons of water, let's face it.....and maybe figure out better ways?

why lie to ourselves?

That is kinda hard to do with a monthly electrical bill. I agree totally. I may use the geothermal loop on my cube if needed.

 

[drydock]

cr500_af;740935 wrote: Watts are watts... I think heaters are going to use pretty much the same energy regardless of brand (withing the same wattage). It is just converting watts of electricity into heat. It can't really go anywhere else.

Actually watts are watts, but what we have to be concerned with is watts times the amount of time the heating element is on. (watt hours) A more efficient heater would raise the temp faster than a less efficient heater of the same wattage. Over time the more efficient heater would be drawing full wattage for less total time. While probably negligable, heaters draw a small amount of current to run the thermostat even when not actively heating. I'm sure there are minor differences in how much wattage they draw in this "off" state.

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[grouper therapy]

Drydock;741289 wrote: Actually watts are watts, but what we have to be concerned with is watts times the amount of time the heating element is on. (watt hours) A more efficient heater would raise the temp faster than a less efficient heater of the same wattage. Over time the more efficient heater would be drawing full wattage for less total time. While probably negligable, heaters draw a small amount of current to run the thermostat even when not actively heating. I'm sure there are minor differences in how much wattage they draw in this "off" state.

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I was under the impression that an electric heater converts all of it's watts to heat. If that is the case how is one more efficient than the other?

 

[ibleedblue65]

grouper therapy;741308 wrote: I was under the impression that an electric heater converts all of it's watts to heat. If that is the case how is one more efficient than the other?

I would say heat transfer efficiency. I'm sure some heaters transfer heat better than others.

 

[rdnelson]

Drydock;741289 wrote: Actually watts are watts, but what we have to be concerned with is watts times the amount of time the heating element is on. (watt hours) A more efficient heater would raise the temp faster than a less efficient heater of the same wattage. Over time the more efficient heater would be drawing full wattage for less total time. While probably negligable, heaters draw a small amount of current to run the thermostat even when not actively heating. I'm sure there are minor differences in how much wattage they draw in this "off" state.

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The heaters we use are purely resistive. Therefore, all electricity is converted to heat. As for transferring the heat, it would only be a matter of time. More efficient transfer means the heat enters the water quicker but in the long run all of the heat will transfer to the water regardless. Where else would it go? As for the thermostat, it would only consume energy if it were digital. Otherwise, it is purely a switch just like the one on the wall that turns your lights on and off. Switches do not consume energy they only open or close a circuit.

 

[grouper therapy]

rdnelson99;741408 wrote: The heaters we use are purely resistive. Therefore, all electricity is converted to heat. As for transferring the heat, it would only be a matter of time. More efficient transfer means the heat enters the water quicker but in the long run all of the heat will transfer to the water regardless. Where else would it go? As for the thermostat, it would only consume energy if it were digital. Otherwise, it is purely a switch just like the one on the wall that turns your lights on and off. Switches do not consume energy they only open or close a circuit.

That is what I was taught.
They are probably the most efficient device we use.