Advice on Chiller Costs

[PaulPaul01]

Hey guys, the 4 ft is finally set up, and I'm thinking of getting a HS-66a as I found out fans are not really a realistic solution. The thing that's really biting is the electricity cost of running a chiller, I saw one that runs $200 a month. I'm just a student, so that's kinda unrealistic too. Along with the sale price of the actual chiller itself. Pls advice on the actual cost per month of running a chiller (HS-66a is I think 1/5 HP, run at 26.5°c). By the way, as far as I know the chiller itself does not run 24/7, is it supposed to be manually shut off or does it shut itself off upon reaching the set temp? Thank you:) I tried using online calculators but none of them specify for aquarium chillers. Thanks again for any help:)

 

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

 

 

[PaulPaul01]

Hey guys, the 4 ft is finally set up, and I'm thinking of getting a HS-66a as I found out fans are not really a realistic solution. The thing that's really biting is the electricity cost of running a chiller, I saw one that runs $200 a month. I'm just a student, so that's kinda unrealistic too. Along with the sale price of the actual chiller itself. Pls advice on the actual cost per month of running a chiller (HS-66a is I think 1/5 HP, run at 26.5°c). By the way, as far as I know the chiller itself does not run 24/7, is it supposed to be manually shut off or does it shut itself off upon reaching the set temp? Thank you:) I tried using online calculators but none of them specify for aquarium chillers. Thanks again for any help:)
 
Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app
 
 

^1/4 HP

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[PaulPaul01]

Also, I checked the HS-66a description in the Fresh N Marine website, and it says the power is 400W, but 1/4 Horsepower is only 187 watts+-, which do I use to estimate the costs? Thank you:)

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[Edward Wong]

Following


Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[SubzeroLT]

 

5 hours ago, PaulPaul01 said:

Also, I checked the HS-66a description in the Fresh N Marine website, and it says the power is 400W, but 1/4 Horsepower is only 187 watts+-, which do I use to estimate the costs? Thank you:)

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app
 

The 1/4HP rating is just for the compressor. You need to factor in power needed to run the fans & electronics.

So, using the 400W number is correct in your calculations - that is the real power usage.

 

Real Power (P) for AC circuits  = Current (I) x (Voltage) x Power factor (pf) 

 

Old reference on Artica chillers. Its about the same.

1/10 hp = 225W

1/5 hp = 360W

1/4 hp = 430W

1/2 hp = 600W

 

Also, for the cost calculations, factor in only the time the chiller is on. And the on time for day is different for night.

Assume 400W chiller and on a total of 4.5hrs a day (based on chill 40min + 3hr off for each cycle). It'll come to roughly about $0.43 a day or $13.20 a month based on 23.65 cents per kWh tariff.

 

[Solo77]

For this hobby, utility is one factor to consider. With chiller, utiltiy is likely to increase ard $50 and above. 

[christan1959]

Buy an oversized chiller. If possible, by a factor of one. Specifications by manufacturers are grossly overstated.

[unicornfart]

Definitely get a oversized chiller if you have the budget. I'm using 66a for my 55 gallon. (Imo Hailea efficiency sucks) 

Runs for 40 mins, rest for 2.5hrs +/- depends on weather 

Adds up to $20 monthly just on my chiller. 

Abt $45 overall monthly including all utilities. Pump, light, Skimmer etc etc

[PaulPaul01]

Thanks guys, so based on the replies the overall 400W power would be used for about 8 hours max a day. That's about $23 a month. Damn. Factoring in all my other stuff (DCW-6000, BM C3.5, 18W Philips for fuge, Beamswork (sticking with low light softies)) racks my bill up to $50 a month. Gonna really feel that one cos my 2 ft was only $7 a month:') At least it's not as bad as I thought it will be. Thanks guys, pls do correct me if I'm wrong.

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[PaulPaul01]

Thanks guys, so based on the replies the overall 400W power would be used for about 8 hours max a day. That's about $23 a month. Damn. Factoring in all my other stuff (DCW-6000, BM C3.5, 18W Philips for fuge, Beamswork (sticking with low light softies)) racks my bill up to $50 a month. Gonna really feel that one cos my 2 ft was only $7 a month:') At least it's not as bad as I thought it will be. Thanks guys, pls do correct me if I'm wrong.

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

And also just reusing a 6W SunSun Wavemaker from my 2 ft cos my return is relatively strong

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app