110 vs. 220

[randomking]

im kinda shocked i have not found a thread about this but basically iv ben hearing if i want to run 1000w bulbs i should run a 220v because its cheaper for the electric bill

basically trying to see what people think...and could i get away with just using a 110 and upgrade later if its really worth it

[GaGrown]

220 runs at a lower running amp than 120..It would be a little cheaper to go with 220.. But if ya have to add a breaker and wire then,if your on a budget. Wire ain't cheap. I use 120 with a 1000 watt digital ballast and my running amps are 4.7..only about 30 extra bucks a month.. Gotta add all the timers and fans,pumps and things,too. Using 220 would use 2.9 or so amps,running.. Starting amps will be the same amount of current.Like when a fan start up and then the running amps drop.If it's a 220 fan. Did any of this make sense?

[randomking]

ya and i got a buddy coming over who is certified in this kinda stuff...but i live in a trailer with mud under it (end of winter) and id have to run new wire under the trailer so if its not that big of a change and i don't keep popping the breaker i might just put it off tell the ground hardens up...

[randomking]

well here is a electrical q then...are closet/grow room (its a walk in thats y im ok with useing 1000w) is wired to are master bath and bedroom too...can i just upgrade that braker...im betting not but that just seems like the ezest way to do it if i can :D lol...
and i dont want to ask my buddy and sound like a moron lol

[GaGrown]

In my experience with that.... I would say you had a 100 amp service. You would need to add a double pole single throw breaker,It should be 30 or better. If wired for 220. Count the amps on the breakers that are there now and see if they add up to 100 or more..Or look at the main breaker and see what it says on the switch. If it's more?Then you would have a 200 amp panel. You could add the breaker then..

[Breeder]

110v out of 220v = +- of variace power size. 110v= 50% of 220v power size

[TANKJR]

Wait a minute here....this is a MYTH! There is absolutely zero savings going to 220V, if that's indeed what you have...If you do, it means you have 110V, which you may...Unless you go to three phase electric which is not even available to the average homeowner which does nothing more than eliminate the need for start and run capacitors used to start electric motors...that's why there are no posts about it maybe...there's no such thing as something for nothing, especially with electrical stuff! Do the math...10 amps @ 120V is about a 1000watts....if you have 120V, then two poles will be 240V and half of 10 is 5, (double the voltage, half the amps) so 5 amps @ 240V is still 1000 watts! zero difference! the ONLY reason we use 240V single phase is because wire is expensive and you can run big power items with smaller wire...that's it! So, if you have to run new wiring, you can save on the wire costs, but that's about it...Sorry! You can run smaller wire if the amps are cut in half, that's the only reason for it!!!