Is it possible that my electric bill went up to $1500 because of my Infocus Work Big Projector?

Question

I think it was coincidence. There are 7 people living at the house I am staying at. The electric bill shot up to almost $2000 the same month I got my projector. Is it possible the projector did this? This is my projector http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=764818&cm_mmc=Traffic%20Leader-_-Overture%20SMX-_-Pro%2DTec-_-InFocus_Work_Big_IN24+_DLP_Multimedia_Proje

I think it might have been just coincedence and that there is something wrong with circuits in the house. If anybody has the same projector and things like this has happened pls let me know. Thank you.

Answer 1

You can buy a Watt Monitor and hunt down the offending appliance as long as it is 120 volts and less than 15-20 amps.

when a water heaters elements burn out they sometimes short out and burn incredibly hot for a while.

Ask the Power Co. for a varience for that months bill and they will charge you the average monthly bill rate, and see if it does it again and if so ask for an audit.

Answer 2

its not the projector.... if its 7 girls...then its the d**n hair dryers and straighteners

Answer 3

No. It is not a big enough load. OK, so it draws power and I do not know how much, but I DO know it is less than 15 amps, which is the trip point for the circuit breakers in a typical house. 15 amps is the equivalent of 15 -100 watt light bulbs. Look on the label on the unit, and you will see the wattage rating. It is QUITE a lot of power in reality. I am sure your projector draws less than this or you would be tripping a breaker. The projector could certainly be a contributing factor as it may draw several hundred watts, but I suspect it is something else, electric heat or larger quantities of electrically heated water, which are both notorious for running up an electric bill unexpectedly. Did somebody forget to put the cover on the hot tub? A friend of mine learned the hard way that leaving his hot tub uncovered all the time eats a LOT of power. Look for other causes.