I really want to build my own projector, the only thing really holding me back is the cost to run the thing. I'm going to use the projector to replace my computer monitor, so I'll pretty much be using it all the time. My question is will the projector add more to my already high electric bill?

Interesting question. I wonder if there is a device that we could use to measure exactly how much each device in our house is using. that would be nice.

Actually, this is pretty funny. I switched all the lights in my house to compact flourescent
to make up the difference of having the 400w projector on a lot.

Power Consumption
It looks like an average crt or plasma will run you 200 or more watts, so use a ceramic bulb and you'll actually save power!

Projector with 400 watt bulb, 35 watts for LCD, fans etc... total of about 500W

Electricity prices vary but they are ussually 7-10 cents/ KWatt/hr so about 5 cents per hour, 10 cents per movie. Computers running 24/7, refridgerators, washers, dryers are much higher.

You could use a Kill-A-Watt to find out the output. But then again, you would need to build it first...hmm

The 35 watts for an LCD include (Actually they're MOSTLY) the backlight. Not that it's a BIG deal, but...

In any case, the direct energy cost for the projector isn't all that high. It's more than a CRT monitor, sure, but not that bad. It didn't make much of a noticeable impact on my electricity bill, and I have mine on a LOT. I also have it replacing my PC monitor, and currently, it's also replacing the TV as well.

Thanks for all the help everyone, especially you SupraGuy. My guilty conscious is assuaged, I can't wait to get started on my projector.

You will see a savings on your movie bill, too. lol There are two theaters near my house, both using digital technology now, and I get SO frustrated when I see the movie I want on the second weekend it is showing, and they put it on the smaller screens with the projectors with "issues".

I watched 300 at the theater, and it had a green line all the way down one side the whole movie. And even at the best possible seat, my home theater filled my vision up more, and the seats were a LOT more comfortable.

I would say I saw about half of my normal in-theater showings this year since the PJ build. At a $30 minimum for the wife and I out to the cineplex, that is probably more than $200 right there.

In my case with a 400 watt lamp the whole thing uses about 500 watts. When you adjust the fact that while in use it replaces a 32" crt which uses at least 160 watts that's only a difference of 340 additional watts.

Calculating based on .12 per kilowatt hour and a maximum average of 10 hour per day every day for 30 days of usage, it would come out to less than $13 a month.

In winter we heat with hydro so all the heat generated by the pj offsets the need to turn the heater on in that room so the net cost is even less. On the downside, this summer I didn't use the pj because it's not vented outside and it produces too much heat to use in the enclosed upper level AC'd room where it's currently located. Luckily I have a premade 150 watt unit when we want to watch movies in summer.

I wouldn't suggest using this as a computer monitor if it's your only one. You won't want to be using this for web browsing and stuff. The novelty will wear off and you'll be living in the dark all the time!


Someone said "Computers running 24/7, refridgerators, washers, dryers are much higher"

This is misleading.

Computers running 24/7, when idling, are only using a fraction of their PSU's rating. I find, using a plug-in meter, that an idling PC will use typically around 100W. This is around 1/5 of what the projector uses.

Fridges and washers and dryers use a lot of energy when running, but are only ever running for short amounts of time (Fridge cycle on and off by themselves), and you will find that over a day your projector probably uses around as much as one of these devices if you use it a lot.


Just wanted to clarify that a bit.

Matt