Costs of running a usb fan?
matilda.cs
Posts: 260 Forumite
in Energy
Hi all,
I wondered if someone could help me with my calculations over energy usage costs...
My partner has just been told that they have to pay £5 each to cover the cost of electricity for one year, to power a desktop fan (USB fans also charged at the same amount)
My initial thoughts were that its disgusting that they are charging staff, for the "luxury" of comfortable working conditions. I figured debunking their costs might go some way to making them see sense.
My calcs are based on her working 3 days per week, 7 hours a day.
So -
A USB port can output a maximum power of 5w at 500mA
If a USB fan used ALL of that power, it would run at 2.5watts (watts=ampsxvolts)
If you run that for 7 hours per day, its 17.5watts per day.
17.5watts a day x 3 working days = 52.50watts
52.50watts per 52 weeks a year = 2730watts
2730watts = 2.73kWh
The current rate for a kWh (kilowatt hour) is around 10p?
2.73kWh x 0.10 = Total cost per year = £0.28 per year?
Does that sound right?
They have 600 staff so this seems like a nice little earner for them...
Thanks all
I wondered if someone could help me with my calculations over energy usage costs...
My partner has just been told that they have to pay £5 each to cover the cost of electricity for one year, to power a desktop fan (USB fans also charged at the same amount)
My initial thoughts were that its disgusting that they are charging staff, for the "luxury" of comfortable working conditions. I figured debunking their costs might go some way to making them see sense.
My calcs are based on her working 3 days per week, 7 hours a day.
So -
A USB port can output a maximum power of 5w at 500mA
If a USB fan used ALL of that power, it would run at 2.5watts (watts=ampsxvolts)
If you run that for 7 hours per day, its 17.5watts per day.
17.5watts a day x 3 working days = 52.50watts
52.50watts per 52 weeks a year = 2730watts
2730watts = 2.73kWh
The current rate for a kWh (kilowatt hour) is around 10p?
2.73kWh x 0.10 = Total cost per year = £0.28 per year?
Does that sound right?
They have 600 staff so this seems like a nice little earner for them...
Thanks all
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Comments
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Name and shame the company by tweeting Martin Lewis!
There are laws to ensure that workplaces are fit to work in and temperature control is part of that. And it is the employer who has to foot the bill not the employee.
And yes the maths are correct.0 -
"If you run that for 7 hours per day, its 17.5watts per day."
Does this mean it is 17.5W for one hour?
Sorry I am clueless with electronics. Once I realized there's Watts, volts, amps and ohms... I gave up. Running an ecig though, you sort of have to learn it.0 -
Thanks All,
I best not name and shame just yet. Though I might later.
2.5w x 7 hours = 17.5 watts per day
17.5watts = 17.5w0 -
I've got a 240volt, 12" desk top fan. From memory it uses about 20 watts. For a fiver per year you should get your monies worth. What does she do?.0
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I would guess that the employer is already satisfied that the workplace is fit to work in and that, if any employee wants to run any additional devices off the company's electricity supply, they should pay for it.Name and shame the company by tweeting Martin Lewis!
There are laws to ensure that workplaces are fit to work in and temperature control is part of that. And it is the employer who has to foot the bill not the employee.
In which case, £5 seems perfectly fair.0 -
She works in the complaints department for a large insurance broker.
The area she works in is partitioned so that it's quieter and more professional sounding on the phone.
Unfortunately the air con is blocked by a false wall and the partitions stop air flow into the area.
They aren't allowed to open a window.
One person is pregnant with 2 months to go until they leave - they too have to pay the £5 ransom. they refuse to pro rata it.
Apparently the cost is due to concerns that the power will overload and cut out!!
It seems like it's just a way to get some money out of their staff to me.0 -
I would guess that the employer is already satisfied that the workplace is fit to work in and that, if any employee wants to run any additional devices off the company's electricity supply, they should pay for it.
In which case, £5 seems perfectly fair.
Staff have had access to fans for years, all provided by the employer. this is a new ruling... If they are happy with the conditions, why did they previously provide fans for free?0 -
I would offer to pay £5 to get the AC fixed
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I don't support the company's approach in any way, but would suppose somebody in the finance department (as it's the sort of thing they do) has said that an employee running a fan would cost the company as follows:
Fan rating 20W
Hours per week 37.5
Weeks worked per year 49 (give them some holiday)
pence per kWh 12 (business rates)
VAT 20% (business rates again)
Total annual cost = £5.29
Round it down out of kindness to the employees and £5 will do.
Totally ignores many factors which make the assumptions complete nonsense, but that's how it could be presented to the MD...I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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