Have to scale back at home

[DX]

With the brutal cold this week I know that my heating bill for the month is going to be higher. So as a result I'm scaling back everything I can at home including shutting down the systems at home. I'll see about getting some system running as a service at work. Those where it won't be an issue.

[GI-JOE]

Just crank all your systems up and turn the thermostat down! Heat your house with your computers!

[DX]

Yeah but even having it set to 50 with it -20 outside I'm shutting down everything possible at night I'm betting it will still be up there.

[DMB2000uk]

Do what needs must, the economic climate is making times tough for a lot of people.

Dan

[skier]

its too bad its that cold where you're at hang in there

the only time i like it cold is when i'm skiing

[geokilla]

Since there's a thread on this, I think I'll post my situation here too.

Starting today, I won't be folding 24/7 anymore. It's back to the normal routine where I won't be able to fold during school and overnight except when I'm encoding something.

[Alathald]

Guys, a watt is a watt...it's going to heat your home either way whether that watt of heat energy comes from a furnace, a light bulb or your computer. Like GI-Joe said, just crank up the folding and use your computer as an efficient little space heater...either way, hope you guys can get back in the fold soon.

[geokilla]

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsu ... spx?i=3458

Read this then try and convince me again. Oh, and even though both our comps have been on 24/7, the basement (where my rig is) is still the same as before, meaning that the temperature hasn't budged. Same goes for my sister's comp which is in her room. I think I'll save a couple $$ and spend it somewhere else.

[Alathald]

Not trying to convince you of anything, just stating the fact that a watt is a watt, the reason your room is the same temp is because that is what your thermostat is set at, it just means that your furnace isn't kicking on as much.

BTW that article isn't loading for me atm but I've read it before and I can see being worried in the summer with AC et al but in the winter your bill will be within a few dollars either way. The heat has to come from somewhere and your paying the same amount for that watt of heat whether it comes from your computer or your furnace.

[martini161]

kyles right, and assuming you have an electric heater your spending the same way either way, but the heaters probably a tad bit more efficent. the point is, weather you spend the money on a watt for your computer or a watt for your heater your going to get a watt out of it either way

[vicaphit]

Right, the heat from the computer will heat the room and cause the furnace to turn on less. You would really have to look into how many Watts it takes the computer to heat a room compared to how much it takes a space heater to heat the room. My money is on the heater because that is what it was made for. Wattage for the computer is also going into powering lights, the monitor, beeps, fans and such.

[vbironchef]

vicaphit, do what you need to do! Don't let anyone tell you any different. You keep doing what your doing! You know best!

[Alathald]

Like I said, not trying to convince anyone or talk someone into or out of something, just trying to keep people informed

Also remember that the lights, fans and even the speakers produce a small amount of heat...you are correct about a space heater being slightly more efficient but not by as much as you'd think. Actually it would make a rather interesting legit review (*hint hint*), though testing the heat output may be a little difficult...maybe someone can make a call to Mythbusters?

Let's just say you'd be surprised just how little energy goes into calculations and flipping pixels and how much is actually just heat waste.

[Mad_Goku]

Yeah but a computer HELPS to heat the room it is in...it doesn't heat the whole house. I spread out my computers the best I can and if money were an issue I would shut them down first. My furnace is gas and the cost of gas compared to the cost of electric...gas wins. Besides the fact that my furnace heats the rest of my house too. So turning it down just makes the other rooms colder. I have a 5 yr old who doesn't have a computer in his room...he needs heat too.

So while yes you are keeping people informed, you are also missing the big picture. The PC can't heat the whole house. If I lived on my own and didn't have to worry about others...my thermostat would be at 50 and I'd have my computers spread out (one in the bathroom, the living room, and the bedroom.) lol.

[DX]

I'm just not spending any if at all possible. Christmas here has drained reserves more than I should have let it. That coupled with the cold means that I'm going to have a huge bill as I have a house to heat. I can't have the kids living in the office where the computers are =)

In any case once December and January have passed things should loosen up a bit and I might even have my refund by then. Once that is in then it will be back to 24/7 on the two at home. At least I still have the two at work folding away

[Alathald]

Again, not trying to stop anyone doing anything, you have to do what you have to do...but if you live in a small apartment (or dorm) or your room is consistently the coldest in the house (like mine) keep that folding box in mind

I can totally understand being broke for the holidays for x-mas (I love being politically incorrect ) and I hope you guys can get your finances straightened out soon.

[geokilla]

Mine's central heating, so no heater for me. Furnace was on as much as it is now that I'm folding 8 hours a day and when I was folding 24/7. Bad English there...but dunno what to say so I'll give an example. Say the heater was on for 5 hours a day when folding 24/7, it's still on 5 hours a day when folding for only 8 hours. Plus, I'm right next to the furnace and the washing machine and dryer, not that it makes much of a difference >.<. The sad thing is that the washroom which isn't far from where I am, it's warmer than my room. And I have the vents sealed off as best as I can.

In anyway, I'm folding only 8 hours a day on weekdays, so it's back to the normal schedule.

Anyone wanna help me to stop rawr from being so lazy and get his GPU folding again? xD