What can i do to save some electricty?

[aimhigher38]

Just trying to see some options to cut down on my electricty bill... I have all 5 of my enclosures on the same timer . My heat lamps and my UVB all turns on and off at the same time... They are on a 12 hour cycle but wondering if i can turn off either the heat lamps or UVB lamps earlierwhile i still have the either one of the other lights on...my chams seem to wake up even before my lamps turn on anyways.. Just trying to see options on how to save a lil money on my electric bill... Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[Fretfreak13]

Hmm..I don't know if this applies for chameleons, but I do saltwater tanks and lately we have been switching over to high output LEDs. The only reason I am thinking about suggesting looking into this for you is because I've noticed that some people use high output T5s for their chams, which reefers also use.

I'm hoping someone could chime in here, do high output LEDs provide any UVB rays? I was thinking there might be something there because we use them to grow coral so well. Running LEDs is WAYYYYYYYY cheaper than running any other lights from my experience, but normally purchasing the actual fixture up front is a bit expensive (the ones we use are pretty much $300.00+). Another nice thing is you don't need to change bulbs.

Anyone know anything about LEDs for chams?

 

[Kaianuanu]

If your cages are next to each other, maybe buying longer shop lights that cover 2 or more cages.

 

[nightanole]

As others stated, try to have uv bulbs go across tanks.
Heat lamps are the biggies. You could try going from say 100 watt light bulbs, to 35-45 watt halogen or spot lights.

I saved alot of money going from 200 watt heat lamps to a couple of 10-20 watt hot rocks in the bearded dragon tank, doesnt help much with chams thought

 

[Carlton]

There are probably things around your house other than your cham stuff that you can save on. Use voltage interrupters on electronics that stay plugged in when not in use (anything with a large grounded transformer type plug uses power even when its turned off). We end up paying a lot for convenience...such as leaving electronics (tv satellite boxes, computers, other media) plugged in so they keep themselves updated all the time. Unplug everything you are not using (how many clocks run on appliances in your kitchen?...you only need one clock at a time). Switch your general lighting to fluorescents or LEDs, use a programmable thermostat, lower the temp on your water heater or put an insulating jacket around it, close doors to rooms you are not using, close curtains, insulate and weatherstrip to save on heating...even if you don't have electric heating all the fans for forced air systems do take electricity, all sorts of stuff.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Build a darkroom, and flip the hours on from daytime to nighttime. Low peak hours, so lower electric rates paid.

 

[Kaianuanu]

Build a darkroom, and flip the hours on from daytime to nighttime. Low peak hours, so lower electric rates paid.

Hey, that's clever, then if youre a night owl like me (also an early bird), you have chams to watch past 7pm or whatever your schedule is.

 

[Fretfreak13]

No one has any experience with high output LEDs for chams?

 

[Decadancin]

No one has any experience with high output LEDs for chams?

They could be used for plants, but not as a heat source or UVB source. They are a supplement to your lighting. As for schedules, you do not have to run your UVB and your basking lamp for 12 hours straight. Here's an example from my enclosure to show some different ideas. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html
You could have the UVB on for 11 or 12 hours and the basking light on for 8 or 9 hours.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

They could be used for plants, but not as a heat source or UVB source. They are a supplement to your lighting. As for schedules, you do not have to run your UVB and your basking lamp for 12 hours straight. Here's an example from my enclosure to show some different ideas. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html
You could have the UVB on for 11 or 12 hours and the basking light on for 8 or 9 hours.

Yeah I turn all my basking bulbs off about an hour before lights out. Mainly just to cue them that its time to go to their sleeping spot and get ready for lights out. I noticed my chams dont get caught roaming when the lights go out now after switching to this method. Before when everything was on one timer they'd occasionally get caught roaming their cages and the lights would all go out at once and a few times I had a cham take a fall. That doesnt happen anymore.

 

[aimhigher38]

They could be used for plants, but not as a heat source or UVB source. They are a supplement to your lighting. As for schedules, you do not have to run your UVB and your basking lamp for 12 hours straight. Here's an example from my enclosure to show some different ideas. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html
You could have the UVB on for 11 or 12 hours and the basking light on for 8 or 9 hours.

Wow... Thats awesome!! Im gonna try something like that but probaby not as perfect as urs

 

[Carlton]

Yeah I turn all my basking bulbs off about an hour before lights out. Mainly just to cue them that its time to go to their sleeping spot and get ready for lights out. I noticed my chams dont get caught roaming when the lights go out now after switching to this method. Before when everything was on one timer they'd occasionally get caught roaming their cages and the lights would all go out at once and a few times I had a cham take a fall. That doesnt happen anymore.

Exactly. My basking lights don't come on for an hour after the UV light in the am, and go off an hour or so (depending on season) before the UV light in pm.