Comments on: Electric Kiln: Actual Energy Consumption

By: admin

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 16:54:18 +0000

Hey Ann,

I don’t have that info off hand -sorry. I just called the Energy Comp. and they sent someone out to install the meter right next to my electrical box, and then came and retrieved it on a pre-scheduled date.
You can also purchase meters online. The digital ones make things simpler. I’ll definitely be installing a permanent one when I build my next studio.
~Jesse.

By: Ann Hymel

Ann Hymel — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 16:40:32 +0000

Hi Jesse, I’m having energy issues with my landlord and would like to install an inline meter. Is there a part number or a specific name I should use when requesting this from my power company?
I’m using two electric, 240, single phase, Paragon G24 to fuse and slump glass.

By: ShaJa

ShaJa — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:07:21 +0000

Hi Jesse,
We met at Phil’s symposium. I am also surprised at the low cost of firing. My electric bill averages $400 a month but I do have a swimming pool pump that sucks it up. Do you have any thoughts on how my L&L Easy Fire e23t and e28s would compare in size to the Jupiter?
Thanks
Sharon

By: Raul

Raul — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:40:43 +0000

Hi again Jesse, I have found out that it is posibble to send your production of electricity into the grid when you’re producing more than consuming and therefore use the utility company as a storage, and then withdraw your power when you fire without raising your bill

By: Raúl Hernández

Raúl Hernández — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:01:48 +0000

Hi Jesse,
Thanks for your response, I’m thinking more in terms on terms of direct usage of power generated by the turbine (and skip battery storage) to run the kiln, and trying to fire on windy days (very often here), I’ll send you more info as this progresses.

Raul

By: admin

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:49:27 +0000

Raúl,

I’ve definitely thought about it; however, the cost of the rechargeable batteries required to provide for a continuous feed of electricity were a bit over budget at the time.
I’m actually looking more toward geothermal (and possible solar later) when it comes time to build my next house. I’d keep my overall home & studio energy consumption down that way, and then still fire my kilns “on the grid”.
I salute your focus though, and would certainly like to be kept apprised of how things go in this regard.

~jesse.

By: Raúl Hernández

Raúl Hernández — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:30:31 +0000

How about using wind turbines &/or solar panels to produce the electricity to fire the kilns, I live in a location with pretty steady wind and lots of sun, I´m looking into how much would the necessary equipment cost to fire a typical paragon VIKING28, to cone 5 or 9 any leads?

By: Jesse Hull

Jesse Hull — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:20:26 +0000

Fredrickson’s level of experience is certainly something I aspire toward. I remember my University Professor being super charged when the school got one of his electric kilns. -And Del Regno’s ideas to overcome the hurdles with using microwaves to heat ceramic sounds like genius.
Not discounting the positive environmental impact, I actually look forward to seeing what effects it could produce in terms of the glaze –it has to be different.
I’m also curious how they plan to get around the limits of: “microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave again”. Maybe I should hold on to my fire resistant RAKU jacket, eh? -sorry, just joking

In terms of the electrical consumption (off-peak/peak) of my kiln above –as soon as I’ve taken enough measurements, I’ll be sitting down with a rep from the local power company to hash all that out. It may change the way I choose to fire, be billed, or both.
Of course, that info will be posted here as well…

~jesse.

By: Mark Cousino

Mark Cousino — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:47:04 +0000

In keeping in the “green” type of mindset, I have been asking around about how we can curb our hunger for energy. I feel all potters should be an innovative and positive force of change in this movement.
::steps off soapbox::
Currently I have heard some interesting facts concerning the Price of electricity from a brilliant and humble man, Freddy Fredrickson . Could you elaborate about the difference between “off-peak” and “Peak demand” pricing? And about what are the pros and cons of each?

PS: Alfred just received government money to research microwave kilns. I’ve heard whispers of only using 1/10 of the energy, temperature measured on the pot, and extremely fast firings. keep your ear on that.

By: Dean Styles

Dean Styles — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:19:43 +0000

I am new to the field and attempting to make electrically conductive ceramics, so I need to build my own test kiln. Your site has given me real (i.e. numerical) information on kiln construction.

Thanks