Eclipsed

we were not, but word has it that in other parts of the world, folks experienced the longest solar eclipse of the century. The wp article has a good overview, or experience it through a public collection on Flickr.

Watt census, take 1

Now entering our third full week in the new house, I think we have most of our electricity-consuming appliances unboxed and in use. I've estimated our household power consumption; the total amount for the bill seems low (i.e. less than in the old house), but maybe I've just left off some significant extra charges in my $0.12/kWh assumption, or the omitted 5 watt control electronics in everything adds up.

The initial goal was to determine, relatively, how much our music-listening habits (which involve leaving a server and wireless router running during the day) impact our consumption. At quick glance, and without any real measurement, the answer is 10%.

The highlights:

Big computer: 100W x 16h = 48 kWh/month
Small computer: 40W x 4h = 4.8
Television: 120W x 1h = 3.6
Big stereo: 150W x 2h = 9
Small stereo: 40W x 6h = 7.4
Modem and router: 15W x 24h = 10.8

Living area lighting: 200W x 3h = 18
Kitchen lighting: 250W x 4h = 30
Security lighting: 13W x 24h = 9.3
Ceiling fans: 50W x 6h = 9
Clocks: 7W x 24h = 5
Dehumidifier: 500W x 6h = 90

Fridge: 600W x 4h = 72 = 72
Dishwasher: 1200W x 1.5h = 54
Clothes washer: 500W x 1h = 15
Clothes dryer: 300W x 1h = 9
Electric oven: 4000W x 0.5h = 60
Microwave: 1200W x 0.1h = 3.6
Coffee and toast: 2200W x 0.1h = 5

Total monthly consumption (estimated) = 460 kWh.

November

It was sometime in the fall of 1995, when paper postings appeared at Brazoswood High courtesy of the yearbook staff. They proclaimed something like

NOVEMBER IS THE LAST MONTH
(to order your yearbook)

With the last list in barely-legibly-pointed font.

Since then November has kept rolling, since there are no months after it; and, today we celebrate November 5000, 1995. Happy 5k, everyone. November is the last month!

In Tuxedos!