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How much electricity?

notserp

notserp

New member
How much electricty does a exo-terra heat mat use? I'm not good with numbers and electrical componets. If its set to run at 90 degrees what is it comparable to? Example-(Running a tv all day and night?) My electricity bill just doubled and I'm wondering how much of it is the three exta matts, and how much of it is the Air Conditioner? I'm betting its mostly the a/c but it got me thinking. Its time to invest in a snake rack or two to simply things and maybe save some electricty. Is it really pricy(electricaly) for those of you that have snake rooms with many racks? Sorry for all the questions, I'm really just needing a basic understanding of the electrical cost for herping.
 
It is definitely your AC, not the heat mat. They cost very little to run, but you should have the high only about 85, 90 is too hot for snakes. You don't want to burn them!

I think your TV comparison would be right on, but have never really thought about it!
 
Random fact: cell phone chargers and radios and a few other appliences draw electricity all the time if you leave them plugged in. It could help with the bill a little.
 
I have my ball pythons set at 90 sometimes a little higher. My cornsnakes are set at 83. I'm glad to hear they don't use much electricity.
 
notserp said:
How much electricty does a exo-terra heat mat use? I'm not good with numbers and electrical componets. If its set to run at 90 degrees what is it comparable to? Example-(Running a tv all day and night?) My electricity bill just doubled and I'm wondering how much of it is the three exta matts, and how much of it is the Air Conditioner? I'm betting its mostly the a/c but it got me thinking. Its time to invest in a snake rack or two to simply things and maybe save some electricty. Is it really pricy(electricaly) for those of you that have snake rooms with many racks? Sorry for all the questions, I'm really just needing a basic understanding of the electrical cost for herping.
Click to expand...

UTH mats draw very little power. Unless you are running a lot of them, you wouldn't notice them.
- A UTH designed for a 20 gallon tank probably draws about 15 watts, maybe 20 watts.
- A modern LCD TV(45") draws ~200-300 watts
- a coffee maker about ~1500-1700 watts
- a decent size refridgerator/newer (10 years old) ~600w-800w | startup(surge) could be 2-3 times that amount.
- A/c units vary, but they are hogs on electricity.

Im guessing your increase in electric bill is probably the A/C. I run 5 radiant heat pads at 40 watts/per, and several 6" x 11" ultratherm UTH at 15 watts/per and a 160 solar glo light and I really do not see a difference.

hope this helps

-braingarble
 
My husband likes math and a year or two ago did the math on one 14 watt heat mat going full bore and the price of electricity at the time and it worked out to about $7 a year. But most mats, if on a rheostat or thermostat, isn't usually going to be drawing its max power 24/7.
 
My husband had to pay our most recent electric bill and it was a little higher than normal and tried to blame my heat mats. He stopped his nonsense when I reminded him about his recent air compressor use. That thing makes the lights in the whole house dim when it kicks on :eek:
 
Braingarble, you sure put a lot of work and math into your answer. I really appreciate it. I appreciate all the comments.
 
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