I need help convincing my dad!

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

Thanks for the information it's really helped! I would never get a pet without my parents full approval. I am just trying to see whether or not it's worth getting due to the electricity. It's sounding like it won't be bad though. I mean a couple dollars added is nothing.

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The average TV or computer uses hundreds if not thousands times more power than a UTH if you actually notice a difference there is something very wrong.

Heat lamps are a different story though.

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

Thanks I will have to look into that!

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As I said in my first post on this thread the best place to get this stuff is reptile basics.com. they will even wire it up for you for free. They sell it by the foot and shouldn't costs about $2.00-$5.00 per foot, depending on the width and wattage. here is some more information:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt_faq

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

Thanks for the information it's really helped! I would never get a pet without my parents full approval. I am just trying to see whether or not it's worth getting due to the electricity. It's sounding like it won't be bad though. I mean a couple dollars added is nothing.

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I'm glad to know that. ;)

If all they are worried about is the electricity, it really truly is negligible. Any lizard is going to use way more than a snake due to the special lighting they require. Snakes do not require any additional lighting (unless you need something to boost your ambient temps as we already mentioned). Ideally, the only electical thing you'll need is your UTH or flexwatt operated on a t-stat.

Again, a good t-stat is a must. Get a good one and you won't go wrong. Yes its a higher upfront investment, but it'll be well worth it for both the piece of mind you'll have and it'll also help cut the electricity usage all the more. Get a proportional t-stat and not an on-off one and you'll be good. :gj:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

As I said in my first post on this thread the best place to get this stuff is reptile basics.com. they will even wire it up for you for free. They sell it by the foot and shouldn't costs about $2.00-$5.00 per foot, depending on the width and wattage. here is some more information:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt_faq

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Totally agree! Reptile Basics is great! And you can get a nice t-stat from them too. Rich can help you pick the best one for your needs if you ask him - he's really nice.

Thanks! I tried telling my dad what you all said and he was like "How can I believe what they say?" lol Oh my. I am looking on southern california edison right now to see if I can find anything. Oh yeah, I live in SoCal. I think some one is going to have to call the electric company to find out I guess. =P

I appreciate all your help and I will be posting more once I convince him it's not going to blow up the electric bill. lol

Even the UTH said it would only cost pennies a day to use. He wanted more proof. haha Stubborn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

Thanks! I tried telling my dad what you all said and he was like "How can I believe what they say?" lol Oh my. I am looking on southern california edison right now to see if I can find anything. Oh yeah, I live in SoCal. I think some one is going to have to call the electric company to find out I guess. =P

I appreciate all your help and I will be posting more once I convince him it's not going to blow up the electric bill. lol

Even the UTH said it would only cost pennies a day to use. He wanted more proof. haha Stubborn.

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Well considering that I'm an Electrical Engineer I hope I would be a credible source

I believe you guys, just not my dad. He's strange like that, but it's kind of understandable you never know who could be telling a fib online. I've been apart of forums for years now so I am very trusting in what people say on forums.


Guess what, though! I looked on southern california edison and it gave him proof it will only cost very little to heat the snakey! =D He has agreed that I can get a ball python! yay!

Here is a photo of an actual calculation of how much power a 10 watt UTH will use in a month and year. It also shows that the average cost of a kWh is 12 cents

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...Screenshot.jpg

This calculation is the worst case. It was calculated with the UTH running at full blast 24/7

This is a picture of my Thermostat. the Percentage shows how much power is being sent to the UTH to achieve the desired temperature
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/IMG_0342.jpg

Well, the thing about UTH's is that they're only roughly 7-10 watts. So, realistically, it won't make a noticeable difference in electricity. In fact, if you have a desktop computer or laptop just turn it off and unplug it at night and the difference could honestly balance out. :D

Well, I can understand your dad's uncertainty with us. After all, he doesn't know us from a hole in the ground. Why should he trust us? Show him Aaron's pictures - I believe his first pic is right from his power company's website.

But also, we have no reason to mislead you. This is a community who's primary concern is the well-being of the snake and its owners. It is in our best interest - as well as yours - to be honest about the snake's requirements. After all, if we lied and you got the snake based off our lie and your dad said it had to go because the electricity bill skyrocketed, the snake could then be in danger of being homeless. That is the LAST thing this community wants!

Glad he agreed though! Good for you in showing him proof from CA Edison - can't go wrong with that kind of reasoning! We'll want pics when you bring your baby home - and welcome officially to the community! ;)