Green / Eco-Friendly

How many KWh do you use in a day?

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  • Apr 27th, 2021 2:23 pm
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Deal Addict
Dec 1, 2012
1873 posts
1664 upvotes
Lake Simcoe
13 year old 1500 sq ft bungalow oil heat/oIl hot water/well pump/sump pump/Ontario.

--Replaced 55 incandescent bulbs with 11w (Dollarama) LED bulbs Oct '14
--Replaced Plasma 50" TV with 55" LED in late Jan '15
--Replaced 10 yr old Fridge (Quit working) early June '15 with similar "low energy" model.

Starting July 2014 to present.
Month/Monthly kW/Daily kW/ $ COST of Electricity (BEFORE delivery,taxes,debt etc)
July 2014 544 / 17.6 / $50.44
Aug 2014 503 / 16.2 / $46.88
Sept 2014 499 / 16.6 / $49.83
Oct 2014 442 / 14.3 / $41.89
Nov 2014 543 / 18.1 / $50.15
Dec 2014 582 / 18.8 / $54.56
Jan 2015 484 / 15.6 / $44.84
Feb 2015 358 / 12.8 / $34.27
Mar 2015 326 /10.5 / $30.73
Apr 2015 244 / 8.1 / $24.05
May 2015 223 / 7.2 / $22.51
June 2015 195 / 6.5 / $20.95
July 2015 265 / 8.6 / $28.87
Aug 2015 231 / 7.5 / $24.70
Sept 2015 365 / 12.1 / $37.20
Oct 2015 387 / 12.5 / $38.18
Nov 2015 345 / 11.5 / $36.34
Dec 2015 327 / 10.5 / $34.98
Jan 2016 378 / 12.2 / $39.77
Feb 2016 343 / 11.8 / $36.22
Mar 2016 339 / 11.0 / $36.98
Apr 2016 265 / 8.8 / $22.87
May 2016 212 / 6.8 / $22.49
June 2016 191 / 6.4 / $21.60
July 2016 250 / 8.1 / $28.07
Aug 2016 295 / 9.5 / $38.67
Sept 2016 212 / 7.1 / $24.35

Overall, I'm using 7-10kw per day LESS than my average usage 24 months ago....and no, I don't live in a cave! LOL.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 13, 2008
8363 posts
4592 upvotes
Durham
Average of 11.55kwh per day (period from August 24-September 23) ... Oshawa ... just me and the wife ... 1800sq ft , 2-story , detached , unfinished basement

- electric stove
- gas rental water heater
- all bulbs in house are LED / Energy Efficient ...

- Air Conditioner ... not really used at all unless we have visitors over ...
- Dryer ... basically don't use it ... hang laundry in the backyard or in basement by the furnace (this will be even better in the winter)
- Dishwasher ... basically don't use it unless we have a house party ... just handwash the dishes and put them in the dishwasher with door open and trays out to air dry

1) Turn lights off when not using them. Leave a room turn it off. Install Dimmers if possible.
2) Summer ... set your thermostat to at least 26.5 degrees or higher if you have AC on automatic when you are not home. Program the thermostat to turn it on about 1 hour before coming home to about 22.5 degrees. You don't need to live in a cold room.
3) Winter ... set your thermostat to at least 16.5 degrees if you have heat on automatic when you are not home. Program the thermostat to turn it on about 1 hour before coming home to about 21.5 degrees. When you get home .. change into something that has some fleece ... it's warmer so you don't need to waste gas / electricity.
4) Screw the outdoor lights! You don't need them on at night ... use motion sensor lights with LED bulbs.
5) If you are watching TV and then need to step out of the house to get something ... don't pause the show ... shut it down! It applies to computers as well ... most programs that download will resume at the spot you ended the connection.
6) Use electricity after 7pm or weekends as much as possible. It's the cheapest. I mow my lawn on weekends. Charge your batteries or any rechargeable stuff when rates are cheap.
7) Use standing lamps with LEDs instead of a massive chandelier ...
8) Install LED Strips under kitchen cabinets ... they are extremely bright!
9) In the basement ... install LED Strips in the furnace room (normally you should have the white washing tub there too ... bright ... saves electricity) ... if the freezer is there, even better! You have all the necessary lighting.
10) Lighting in wall units ... do you really need them on every night? Realistically ... NO
11) Night Lights ... use the ones that have a sensor that turn on at night automatically ... these are cheap! I have 3 around the house ... bought them on eBay ... cost USD$4 for 3 of them.
12) unplug appliances that are not being used ... ie ... coffeemaker / toaster / mini-oven
16'x11' Living Room 11' Cathedral Ceiling. Hisense 65Q8G. Denon AVR-S740H 7.2 setup. Jamo Classic 10 280W Towers - FR+FL; Polk S35 - Center; Klipsch R51M - RR+RL; Klipsch R14M - Dolby FHR+FHL; Polk HTS10 Subwoofer x2. Unlocked Android Boxes from Taiwan x2
Deal Addict
Dec 1, 2012
1873 posts
1664 upvotes
Lake Simcoe
Decided to calculate my actual cost per kW after all charges including delivery taxes etc. (Invoice total)
Total charges / total kW usage over previous 12 months. (Nov-Oct)

$1272.08 / 3498.1kW = $0.364/kW.
3498.1kW / 365 days = 9.6kW/day. ($3.49/day)
Deal Addict
May 23, 2009
3681 posts
2388 upvotes
Mississauga
love2save wrote: Decided to calculate my actual cost per kW after all charges including delivery taxes etc. (Invoice total)
Total charges / total kW usage over previous 12 months. (Nov-Oct)

$1272.08 / 3498.1kW = $0.364/kW.
3498.1kW / 365 days = 9.6kW/day. ($3.49/day)
I used your formula and mine came out much lower. My TOU split is 72.5% (off), 13.9% (mid), 13.7% (on)

$1042.81 / 5436.3kW = $0.192/kW.
5436.3kW / 365 days 368 days = 14.89kW/day 14.77kW/day. ($2.86/day $2.83/day)

Edit: should be 368 days based on my last 12 month invoices. Sept 25 2015 to Sep 26 2016
Last edited by bubuski on Oct 26th, 2016 6:54 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Deal Fanatic
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Jan 6, 2002
6826 posts
7571 upvotes
Toronto
bubuski wrote: I used your formula and mine came out much lower. My TOU split is 72.5% (off), 13.9% (mid), 13.7% (on)

$1042.81 / 5436.3kW = $0.192/kW.
5436.3kW / 365 days = 14.89kW/day. ($2.86/day)
Our numbers are quite similar from a cost point of view, but my usage is lower though higher TOU charges. Data for 12-month period Sep-2015 until Aug-2016. My TOU split is 69.1% (off), 15.4% (mid), 15.5% (peak)

$1029.81 / 4462.0 kWh = $0.2308/kWh.
4462.0 kWh / 366 days = 12.19kWh/day ($2.81/day)
4462.0 kWh / 12 months = 371.83kWh/month ($85.82/month)

I live in the city, ~1,000sq.ft 1917 2br semi-detached w/ basement, no weekday occupancy, AC @ ~23°C, Heat at ~20°C, gas stove, gas water, gas dryer, gas heat, minimal 24/7 load (NAS, PVR, etc.), LEDs all around, 1 adult, extensive evening PC/TV/stereo usage, extensive use of HVAC circulating fan in evenings.
Last edited by hoob on Oct 27th, 2016 1:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Si Tacuisses, Philosophus Mansisses
Deal Addict
May 23, 2009
3681 posts
2388 upvotes
Mississauga
I downloaded a report for another property with last 12 months invoice(Sept 25 2015 to Sep 26 2016). I'm surprised it is even lower.

TOU split is 66.9% (off), 16.6% (mid), 16.5% (on)

$1377.61 / 7346.7kW = $0.188/kW.
7346.7kW / 368 days = 19.96kW/day. ($3.74/day)
Deal Addict
Dec 1, 2012
1873 posts
1664 upvotes
Lake Simcoe
love2save wrote: Decided to calculate my actual cost per kW after all charges including delivery taxes etc. (Invoice total)
Total charges / total kW usage over previous 12 months. (Nov-Oct)

$1272.08 / 3498.1kW = $0.364/kW.
3498.1kW / 365 days = 9.6kW/day. ($3.49/day)
I should add to the above that I am rural residential classed low density which greatly increases my delivery costs.
My TOU breakdown for the most recent month (which would be similar every month) is L=64℅ M=20 H=16℅.
Thanks for posting your #s.
Very interesting comparisons! :)
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Deal Addict
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Oct 9, 2010
3149 posts
1333 upvotes
Windsor
So, turns out my utility doesn't allow all data to be exported at once Angry Face. Anyhow, following your format:
Total charges / total kWh usage over previous 12 months. (Oct-Sept) ... [this, coincidentally, encompasses the entire time I've lived here (Oct-2016 bill isn't here yet)]

$887.81 / 4336.59kWh = $0.200/kWh
4336.59kWh / 365 days = 11.88 kWh/day. ($2.43/day)
4336.59kWh / 12 mosdays = 361.38 kWh/moday. ($73.98/moday)
My TOU split is 68.7% (off), 16.7% (mid), 14.5% (peak)

I live in the city, ~1,250sq.ft 1970's brick ranch w/basement, work from home, AC @ ~73°F, Heat at ~70°F, electric stove, gas dryer (which we never use in the summer), gas heat, server 24/7, LEDs all around, 2 adults, plasma TV (which we use maybe 5hrs/week)
Last edited by ChubChub on Oct 27th, 2016 11:50 am, edited 3 times in total.
One who is offended by truth, has no place among those who seek wisdom.
Deal Addict
May 23, 2009
3681 posts
2388 upvotes
Mississauga
My 12 month combined invoice really puts the hydro cost into perspective for me. I always wrongly assumed my Hydro cost was double or even triple my NG yearly but seems to be only about ~20% more each yearFace With Tears Of Joy.
ChubChub wrote:

4336.59kWh / 12 days month = 361.38 kWh/day month. ($73.98/day month)
FIFY
Deal Addict
User avatar
Oct 9, 2010
3149 posts
1333 upvotes
Windsor
bubuski wrote: My 12 month combined invoice really puts the hydro cost into perspective for me. I always wrongly assumed my Hydro cost was double or even triple my NG yearly but seems to be only about ~20% more each yearFace With Tears Of Joy.
FIFY
Thanks for fixing that. NG for me was $589.53 for the year. So, about 50% more.
One who is offended by truth, has no place among those who seek wisdom.
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
13362 posts
8297 upvotes
Brampton
My average is around 15-25kW/day.

However I want to thank this thread. If it wasn't for this thread I wouldn't think to look at a daily number. From looking at that I noticed that my server is using more power than it should because of a stupid design decision by Microsoft and their Hyper-V implementation.
Member
Dec 26, 2015
480 posts
398 upvotes
Ottawa, ON
my average is between mostly is 11-15 but then some odd days it is 25-29 kwh. Then i notice my wife leaves the computer running or leaves A/C on. I really hope we stop selling excess energy in the future costing us too much to transmit power.
Newbie
Oct 28, 2016
2 posts
My worst usage per day was August 2016. That's around 7 kwh/day. I thought I was doing good but I'm in an apartment with just me and occasionally the kids. Not horrible but not great either. I've been looking at my power bills lately trying to figure out solar power and can't believe the amount I'm paying . Around 2/3 of that is simply for the privilage of paying them money. Connection fees, dept payments, and taxes are 2/3 of the bill. Energy by itself is pretty cheap. I'll be interested to see if more people start turning to off-grid solutions. My power consumption is certainly in the range where I could go totally off of simply solar and wind power.
Deal Addict
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Oct 9, 2010
3149 posts
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Windsor
maddog613 wrote: My worst usage per day was August 2016. That's around 7 kwh/day. I thought I was doing good but I'm in an apartment with just me and occasionally the kids. Not horrible but not great either. I've been looking at my power bills lately trying to figure out solar power and can't believe the amount I'm paying . Around 2/3 of that is simply for the privilage of paying them money. Connection fees, dept payments, and taxes are 2/3 of the bill. Energy by itself is pretty cheap. I'll be interested to see if more people start turning to off-grid solutions. My power consumption is certainly in the range where I could go totally off of simply solar and wind power.
Off the grid is quite expensive up front; I'd be curious if it's worth it to be "off the grid", as I assume you'll often have days where you generate more than you can reasonably store, and days when you can't store enough to sustain your home. Seems more likely it'd be worth it to skip the power storage, and just feed the grid @ expensive times, and take back @ cheap times, and just deal with the connection fees.

As well, in your case, you probably can't mess with the wiring, so there's that.
One who is offended by truth, has no place among those who seek wisdom.
Newbie
Oct 28, 2016
2 posts
I certainly couldn't do it here... or maybe I could, but you're right, it would be a pain in an apartment. My intention is to get a little plot of land and build a tiny home. It's a goal that's starting to look more probable these days. I read that the cost of power is going to go up by somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 percent in the next 5-10 years. By itself I'm not opposed to more money for power. The actual cost for electricity is pretty cheap here in Ontario. It's the fact that the connection costs go up so much that hurts. Even offsetting the power usage won't help if it's the connection fees that increase because there's no alternative (I'm not sure that made sense but I'm a little tired).

I've been looking at creating something similar to the Tesla powerwall using linked 9.9 amp batteries. They look sort of like AA batteries but when you link them correctly in series and parallel along with an inverter and charge controller you can make a huge lithium ion battery pack. That way you could:
1. use battery power all night
2. charge them during the day as well as use the batteries for daily use.
The batteries would be about 150 and then the probably a grand or so for the ancillary equipment.

There would need to be some work to make sure I had enough solar to charge them to full while still drawing on them for daily use. My thinking on this is that if I'm using roughly 7 KWh/day without any real thought towards conservation (ie: my lights are on all the darn time and my computer monitor is on etc...) then I could probably reduce that just by being conscious of my usage. Something I should be doing anyway. I need to look at how much my daily usage is when the kids are here. Probably a lot more with tablets and computers.

Sorry, I just started babbling. The thought of being self sustaining though is very exciting to me. I don't use a car and if I could have almost zero emissions in my home well, it's pretty exciting times. I love that avatar btw... is that spirited away?
Deal Fanatic
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Jul 14, 2008
8312 posts
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Ontario
maddog613 wrote: My worst usage per day was August 2016. That's around 7 kwh/day. I thought I was doing good but I'm in an apartment with just me and occasionally the kids. Not horrible but not great either. I've been looking at my power bills lately trying to figure out solar power and can't believe the amount I'm paying . Around 2/3 of that is simply for the privilage of paying them money. Connection fees, dept payments, and taxes are 2/3 of the bill. Energy by itself is pretty cheap. I'll be interested to see if more people start turning to off-grid solutions. My power consumption is certainly in the range where I could go totally off of simply solar and wind power.
I think you're wasting your time and efforts, IMO. I don't think you realize how cheap your bills are, or how low you HIGHEST usage is. I'm not in an apartment, but my usage when I was on vacation and unplugged everything that I COULD, I was still consuming roughly 4 kWh/day! If 7 is your 'worst', then stop what you're doing and never return to this thread ever again! ;)

The gain for you, to decrease your usage any more than it already is, is not likely worth the effort time or money. Enjoy being probably in the upper tiers of usage. Saying "not great either" is just plain wrong. Seriously.

Get out of here already! :)
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Feb 8, 2014
32083 posts
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Socially Distanced
onlineharvest wrote:
maddog613 wrote: My worst usage per day was August 2016. That's around 7 kwh/day. I thought I was doing good but I'm in an apartment with just me and occasionally the kids. Not horrible but not great either. I've been looking at my power bills lately trying to figure out solar power and can't believe the amount I'm paying . Around 2/3 of that is simply for the privilage of paying them money. Connection fees, dept payments, and taxes are 2/3 of the bill. Energy by itself is pretty cheap. I'll be interested to see if more people start turning to off-grid solutions. My power consumption is certainly in the range where I could go totally off of simply solar and wind power.
I think you're wasting your time and efforts, IMO. I don't think you realize how cheap your bills are, or how low you HIGHEST usage is. I'm not in an apartment, but my usage when I was on vacation and unplugged everything that I COULD, I was still consuming roughly 4 kWh/day! If 7 is your 'worst', then stop what you're doing and never return to this thread ever again! ;)

The gain for you, to decrease your usage any more than it already is, is not likely worth the effort time or money. Enjoy being probably in the upper tiers of usage. Saying "not great either" is just plain wrong. Seriously.

Get out of here already! :)
I agree, going off grid is very expensive power, the best he could do is get some grid tie solar panels, that will cut his costs and reduce energy costs without the well above grid costs of inverters, batteries (which don't last nearly as long as we want them to when frequently cycled) and charge controllers
One can audit their energy usage and find cuts in most cases, i've yet to meet anyone on grid who is as efficient as humanly possible, one can certainly beat 7kW/day, but what are they willing to give up to do it.
In fact in Rand McNally they wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people
Deal Addict
May 23, 2009
3681 posts
2388 upvotes
Mississauga
Just a reminder to folks that tiered pricing and TOU hours have changed for the winter season(effective November 1).

It's time to change timers on dehumidifiers and cooking habits for electric stove users.
Deal Guru
Feb 4, 2015
10254 posts
6623 upvotes
Canada, Eh!!
Two weekends ago was out of town and on one of those weekend days when no one home and ac/furnace on but set at tmp where it would not run unless very cold/hot the usage as 3.93 kWh. Most powerbars off. Other then hot water tank fan not sure what would cause the below:

Range for day by hour was from 0.12 to 0.27; peak was every 3-4 hours
2022/3: BOC raised 10 times and MCAP raised its prime next day.
2017,2018: BOC raised rates 5 times and MCAP raised its prime next day each time.
2020: BOC dropped rates 3 times and MCAP waited to drop its prime to include all 3 drops.
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
13362 posts
8297 upvotes
Brampton
georvu wrote: Two weekends ago was out of town and on one of those weekend days when no one home and ac/furnace on but set at tmp where it would not run unless very cold/hot the usage as 3.93 kWh. Most powerbars off. Other then hot water tank fan not sure what would cause the below:

Range for day by hour was from 0.12 to 0.27; peak was every 3-4 hours
Fridge maybe?

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