Large phantom loads from residential water supply systems [RE-wrenches]

[Windy Dankoff, Dankoff Solar]

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Wrenches,

I received this from one of our dealers. Can anyone help?

-- Windy


>Dear Windy,
>
>    The following is a bit aside of your main game, but I think you 
>have the experience/knolwledge needed. The issue is excessive 
>electrical use in rural homes. In recent audits I've come across 
>three with monthly use of 1,500-2,500 kWh. When I turn off all loads 
>the meter still spins vigoursly, and there is current on the pipes, 
>strongest around the well.
>    Talking to electricians about it has so far come up with: single 
>insulated pumps with insulation flaws arc to the well casing through 
>minerals, sometimes 'welding' the pump to the casing. Faulty 
>pressure switches cycle the pump--this would increase use, but not 
>put current on the pipes. A pin hole leak in the well casing drops 
>pressure, causing cycling.
>    A non-well cause can be a corroded annode in an electric hot 
>water tank that touches an element.
>    In your considerable experience what other things might be 
>happening? There are hundreds of thousands of wells in Wisconsin, 
>say 700,000. If 1% are faulty, burning 1,000 extra kWh/mo., that's 
>84 million kWh a year, about $6 million dollars, plus magnetic 
>fields and 'stray voltage' and, I suspect, speedier corrosion, too.
>    I'm trying to get a feel for the issue. Once that's in hand I'll 
>suggest to one of the state bureacracies that it be looked at 
>systematically and a piece be written that auditors, electricians, 
>well/pump people, and householders can use to figure out and fix the 
>problems.
>
>Regards,
>Bill Hurrle

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