Electricity Cost of Aquaponics System

Monthly electricity cost of living room aquaponic set up. 

Curiosity has always been the biggest toll of my free time. I was sitting around this morning thinking about how to build the next aquaponic system. It dawned on me that I might want to figure out an estimate of running an indoor aquaponic system. It really doesn't make sense to run and operate a system that will be growing vegetables and plants if it costs hundreds of dollars a month. The great unknown will always cause worry and stress.

In trying to put a more finite number to the great unknown I ran across a sweet tool for calculation electricity costs on HandyMath.com. This tool allows you to put your cost per kw-hr, plug in values for your consumables and the total monthly usage time. At first when I initially figured out how to use the tool I didn't realize that  I needed to multiply the hours by 30. When I came up with my first answer I thought, "Wow its only going to cost less than a dollar a month!" Then my excitement quickly wore off as reality hit me and I started to rationally conclude that that was way too cheap.

In order to find the power rating on your equipment simply look at the pumps, lights, or any other piece powered by electricity. There is a stamp or sticker on anything that plugs into a wall outlet that has the power rating on the machine or light. The two pumps in the tank are rated at 5 watts a piece, the grow light is rated at 28 watts (I'm not including the fish tank light we don't use it), the air motor is rated at 2 watts, and the heater is actually the biggest power hog at 300 watts of power. But the heater only turns on about a third of the time so I adjusted the time accordingly.

The living room set up is only going to cost about $17.50 per month. That's pretty cheap for the amount of enjoyment my wife and I get from it. Its really a neat point of interest and conversation starter that's worth the price.

Electricity monthly bill for aquaponic set up: $17.50
Relaxation from watching fish swim in the tank: Priceless! 

Here is the ten thousand dollar question. Is the electricity bill worth it to have a large scale growing operation in your home using artificial sunlight, heaters, and pumps? Lets take a look at the cost for the next system I plan on building. Here is the light fixture I plan on using for the newer system and Ill need two of them.

Sweet grow lights!!! $90 Each!

The newer set up will use roughly the same amount of equipment to get it working. The main difference is the increase in lighting consumption. This will be the biggest change in power for the newer set up. The ViaVolt lights are neat cause you can turn off two of the bulbs and leave the other two on. Well worth the money for this fixture. I recently bought a 20'' fluorescent light for $50 dollars at the Home Depot. I made a short video of the new light and you can check it out at Aquaponic Set Up Video. I have been really pleased with this light so far. You can also daisy chain them together as your system "grows" larger.

Electricity Cost of New Tank Set Up (Estimated). 

Is the new tank set up worth it. Only one way to find out really. Got to build it. I think that the added cost of $24.50 a month will certainly be worth it. Its a hobby anyways. If one could figure out how to put this system into a green house and use the sun for a grow light you could dramatically lower the cost of energy and increase the yield significantly.

What do you think? Is an aquaponic system worth the price? Click on the comment button below to leave your thoughts.