charging phones etc. on computer

Retire

I have various phones and wireless headsets that I have discovered can all be charged using USB ports on my computer, which is on for most of the day.

I was given a set of plugs and sockets allowing this.

I was wondering if the computer will use more electricity charging my equipment than if I was just to use my available chargers?

I have also noticed that in the small room where my computer is that the temperature is about 2 deg higher than the rest of the house if I keep the door closed, so am I getting free heat as well.

Lounge is currently 18 deg C, computer/study room is 20 deg C.

House heating is not on yet but it is getting cold at night, last night it was touch and go as to whether to put the heating on.

Probably any savings/costs will be minuscule anyway. so the question will be irrelevant.

Cardew

Firstly the amount of electricity involved, in charging up devices that can be charged from a USB port is tiny, so a charge costs a fraction of a penny.

Secondly you are saving nothing by charging from a USB - the power has to come from somewhere.

In a way you are getting 'free' heat from your computer - if you are using the computer anyway. Most desktop PC's use between 100 watts and 200 watts. It is much the same as saying I am getting free heat from my lighting when it is dark.

Ken68

The time to put on the heating is when icicles are forming at the end of your nose.
In the meantime, computer heat does help and so does painting red and crunching up a piece of kitchen foil.
Place this at a focal point, maybe add a tea candle. Light this candle only in a dire emergency.

prowla

I charge from my computer, but I do not turn my computer on to charge things.

Retire

The time to put on the heating is when icicles are forming at the end of your nose

The time to put the heating on is when you feel cold.

No point in saving for your retirement then dropping dead from hypothermia.

This morning when I got up the temperature in the lounge was 16 deg C, luckily the sun started to heat the house up but the temperature has never risen above 18.5 deg C all day.

Except in my computer room.:rotfl:

If the present weather and temperature continues my heating will be getting switched on before the weekend.

MillicentBystander

Maybe I'm getting an old fuddy duddy but don't you think we've all become terribly nesh? I mean, how DID we survive without central heating, thermostats and inside toilets? My wife's family were pretty poor and she remembers ice on the INSIDES of her (and her 2 sisters'!) communal bedroom windows on Winter mornings. She's now in her 50s, never has any ailments and is probably fitter than our sons who wouldn't know what a fan heater was if it slapped them across the face and have experienced nothing but central heating in their lifetimes!

Retire

I was brought up like that as well and it was only 20 years ago when I moved away from a house with a coal fire and paraffin heaters to keep warm.

Didn't even have an immersion so had to put the coal fire on to heat water to have a bath.

First winter in a house with central heating. Brilliant.

I wouldn't do without it now. Set the controls and forget about it. Nice and warm all day.

No more chopping wood for kindling and cleaning out the ashes every morning, no more ringing out your clothes before you put them on in the morning because of the damp (OK slight exaggeration).

I lived through it for 45 years, why would I do it again?

Once the heating is turned on that will be it till next year.

What's £500 less what the government will give me for 7 months worth of heat and comfort?

Not even 3 weeks pension.

The above does not include hot water and electricity, only heating.

Ken68

You're probably right, Retire, time to loosen up.
But I do think moneysavers need a bone to chew, stretching the limit on something, maybe heating is not the best subject for OAP's