I got a rebate when I upgraded all my outdoor lighting, including the bug zapper. It’s worth looking into.
Every little bit helps when investing in newer tech. And it’s good for the environment too!
My bug zapper’s rated at 15 watts—runs all night and barely nudges my electric bill, maybe a few cents a day at most!
I checked my 20-watt zapper with a meter,about 0.48 kWh over 24 hours. Cheap to run unless you’re zapping a swarm!
Depends on the size, right? My small 10-watt model sips power, but I bet those big outdoor ones guzzle more,anyone measured theirs?
Mine’s a 30-watt unit, left it on for a month and saw maybe a $1 spike on the bill. Worth it for a mosquito-free porch!
The label says 18 watts, but it’s not constant, zapping bugs spikes it briefly. Still, it’s way less than leaving a lightbulb on.
I’ve got a solar-powered zapper, technically zero grid electricity, though the battery recharge adds up if it’s cloudy a lot!
Ran my 25-watt zapper for 12 hours nightly, rough math says it’s under 0.3 kWh daily. Feels negligible compared to my AC!
Mine’s low at 12 watts, but I wonder if older models with worn grids pull more power over time, has anyone noticed that?
Checked my bill with a 15-watt zapper running nonstop, adds maybe 50 cents a week. Cheap pest control in my book!
My 40-watt beast uses more when it’s frying moths all night, probably 1 kWh if I let it rip, but I turn it off daytime to save.
Most people overlook standby power! My meter showed bug zappers draw 2-3 watts even when ‘off’. Unplug completely or use a smart outlet to eliminate vampire drain.
Solar zappers average 5-8W but have limitations:
- Need 6+ hrs direct sun
- Performance drops on cloudy days
- Smaller coverage area
Great for eco-conscious users though!
My zapper uses more power in humid weather (18W vs normal 15W). Possibly works harder to maintain voltage in moist air?
Industrial zappers are power hogs! My farm unit pulls 80W but protects 1 acre. Still cheaper than chemical sprays though.
Made a cost calculator:
(Wattage × Hours ÷ 1000) × Rate = Daily Cost
Example: (20W × 10hr ÷ 1000) × 0.15=0.03/day
@SolarGuru The real savings come from combining solar zappers with strategic placement.