Energy argument

vixen92

Hello,

I was wondering if somebody could help me out. My house mates are convinced that my boyfriend coming over for 3 evenings a week is putting our gas and electricity bills up considerably.

However, he is always in the same room as I am watching the same TV as I am or looking at the same laptop as I am. He never showers at ours and I'd be doing exactly the same thing if he wasn't there. The only thing he does use is the toilet!

Could somebody please end this argument for me, would he be putting the bills up by any significant amount? I can't see how he would be, but if somebody can give me a logical explanation of how he could be, I'd be very grateful!

Thanks!

penrhyn

He may in fact reduce your heating costs as the average human gives off around 100 watts, probably more if you are indulging in vigorous physical activity.

NeverInDebt

A laptop wont use much energy around 200watts probably around 3-4p an hour at most.

stator

From what you've said, you are correct.

espresso

NeverInDebt wrote: »

A laptop wont use much energy around 200watts probably around 3-4p an hour at most.

Most desktops don't use 200W and a laptop may be as low as one tenth of your guess of 200W!

C_Mababejive

On a similar note..why is it for example that if i have a pack of two pies, it says maybe gas mark 6 for 20 minutes or if cooking two, gas mark 6 for 30 minutes? Surely both pies are in the same heat and more heat should not be required?

You may as well say,,the more people in a room,the brighter the light bulb should be or the higher the boiler thermostat setting ?

CashStrapped

Oh dear, is it bill division time!

Sounds like your housemates are trying to reduce their portion of the bill.

stator

C_Mababejive wrote: »

On a similar note..why is it for example that if i have a pack of two pies, it says maybe gas mark 6 for 20 minutes or if cooking two, gas mark 6 for 30 minutes? Surely both pies are in the same heat and more heat should not be required?

You may as well say,,the more people in a room,the brighter the light bulb should be or the higher the boiler thermostat setting ?

Regarding the pies, they will be a lower temperature than the oven so will absorb heat, causing the temperature to be lower than if you did one on it's own. People are hotter than the rooms they are in, so will not require more energy to heat it, but in fact a little less.

AndysDad

NeverInDebt wrote: »

A laptop wont use much energy around 200watts probably around 3-4p an hour at most.

This is irrelevant as the OP has already said that if her boyfriend wasn't there she would still have the laptop or TV on anyway.

Dr._Shoe

Just challenge them to prove it.

vixen92

Challenge them how?