Frit-Happens !

Technical Forum => Studio/workspace/setup/equipment => Kilns => Topic started by: Katiequiggle on July 06, 2008, 11:22:39 PM

Title: Costs
Post by: Katiequiggle on July 06, 2008, 11:22:39 PM
If I get a paragon SC3 with a bead door, how much roughly does it cost to use if I am annealing as I go with a working time of say 6 hours.  And how much does it cost to run a batch anneal programme.  Tim is fussing that it will  make the electric bill go sky high if I have a kiln.  Personally I'd rather get rid of him and get a kiln but thats another matter  ;D
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: Kaz on July 06, 2008, 11:24:49 PM
Quote from: Katiequiggle on July 06, 2008, 11:22:39 PM
If I get a paragon SC3 with a bead door, how much roughly does it cost to use if I am annealing as I go with a working time of say 6 hours.  And how much does it cost to run a batch anneal programme.  Tim is fussing that it will  make the electric bill go sky high if I have a kiln.  Personally I'd rather get rid of him and get a kiln but thats another matter  ;D
There are, unfortunately, many things a kiln can't do. But maybe Paragon are working on it ??? ;D
Kaz
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: flowerjasper on July 06, 2008, 11:37:16 PM
i havent tried to run a hubby and a kiln at the same time so i have no comment  ;D ;D
i batch anneal , i switch on just before i go to bed ( kiln is in brick out building), it runs for under £1 , i have a key meter so ican see what it uses, i havent plucked up courage to  heat it up and put beads in as i go.... i have to grab bead time when and if i can,
tell tim not to worry ( ::))sandy x
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: Katiequiggle on July 07, 2008, 12:14:32 AM
Well batch annealing sounds ok then, that wont break the bank and he wont complain about that.  Just need to find out about the working one now and we're away, well not quite, still saving up though I must be half way there soon, I couldn't tell  you how much I  have because it's all in a baked bean tin and I can't get it out unless I use a tin opener on it which I daren't do yet or it will end up paying the gas bill or something.  ;D
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: glassworks on July 07, 2008, 07:29:08 AM
i'd be suprised if t was much higher, as one the kiln is up to temp it just "ticks" along to maintain the temp... really good to hear from someone who has a meter and who can actually put a number on this side of electricity consumption - we run too many other bits and pieces to be able to get a "clean" reading on our meter..

;)
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: Vicki on July 07, 2008, 04:42:55 PM
when I got mine at the begining of last year Rob said it cost 14p/hour to run, I know fuel costs have increased since then, but you might get an idea from that :)
Title: Re: Costs
Post by: Robin on July 07, 2008, 08:52:19 PM
hi

you can work it out. the sc2 is 1.75kw. the sc3 is 2.0kw. the amount you pay for one kwHour will be on your electric bill. however, remember that once it's reached max temp the programmer cuts in and out so it might only be 'on' half the time. or less if it's ramping down.

it's always worth experimenting with extra shelves to maximise your kiln time, but genenerally glass likes radiant heat and doesn't like to be in between shelves. however, i know someone who fires three shelves of six dichroic glass pieces at one go - but she's practised a lot.

thx

rob