Plug In Heater Power Consuption???

[rjrkihap]

Does anyone know how much power the winter plug in heater uses? My wife seems to thing that the electricity bill went way up ($20 per month) when I plugged in the truck. I even had it on a timer set to go off just 2 hours before I left for work.



Thanks



Ron

 

[KMeek]

It doesn't matter whether you are right or wrong unless you want marital disharmony. If you are right you will be punished and if you are wrong she will say "I told you so". The best thing the rest of us can do is not answer your question to help preserve your marriage. *S*

 

[jmeehan]

That answer must have been posted by an old married man. I could learn alot from someone like that!

 

[Cooker]

It very well could have went up $20/month. It depends on how many hours/day you have the truck plugged in and your cost per KWh.



You need to take your cost/KWh (Here in MI it's $. 082, and multiply this number by . 72 (The heater element on our trucks consumes 720 watts).



For me, 2 hours/day, 30 days in a month, is about $3. 50 per month. Now I don't notice the $3. 50/month, but the colder it gets, the longer I leave it plugged in, and the higher the electric bill gets.



-Ryan

 

[Max Wedge]

Just buy one of those "cheap-o" timers--Wal-Mart around $5. 00 and plug your truck into that. I did, and it comes on about 3 hours before I leave for work, then shuts off. Barley noticed any increase in electric bills, 'cause I plug it in about same time Christmas lights get put up.

Max

 

[illflem]

I feel the extra on the power bill more than pays for the extra life you will get on the engine, batteries and grid heater system. Since I live where I work and my driving schedule is erratic my heater runs though a line voltage thermostat set at 40°.

 

[chuck3]

$20. sounds a little high for 2 hrs a day, Thats what I do on mine and I didn't even notice any difference last year I may this year as the elect. rates have skyrocketed.

 

[klenger]

Tell her that she is correct and that you need to build a new oversize heated garrage to park it in to save money on the electric bill.



Could part of the $20 have been due to the fact that fall is here and you may be using more lights, heat, etc. ?



Good luck.

 

[rjrkihap]

Thanks guys, I didn't think the heater used that much power. You are probably right, the hot tub, the heating lights in the barn, etc. (the truck plug in and hot tub are on the barn system which is billed seperatly from the house) probably accounted for the extra $$$. It's good to know that the heater uses 720 watts, basically running 7 100watt bulbs for two hours every day. That just can't use that much electricity.



Thanks again for you help. And I will tell her she is right with the stipulation that the extra electricity will allow her truck to heat up that much faster in the winter so she won't have to be so cold on the way to work. That always gets her.



Ron

 

[C Schomer]

Mine is 300 watts.

 

[Cooker]

C Schomer,

Your OEM heater is 300 watts



All the info I have found and read here on the TDR says the OEM heater is ~720 watts and draws just over 6 amps.