No more picking :D

[DustyDusky]

My brother called yesterday. If you recall from my last post, Dusty was picking his feathers and I had the thought that it was from dry air. Well it seems I was correct. My dad has bought a humidifier. It has been in the room I keep dusty in for two weeks now. When my brother called yesterday he happily announced that Dusty has stopped picking at his feathers. I go home next week so I will be able to see his progress for myself. It warms my heart knowing that I was able to determine Dusty's problem and now he has finally stopped picking.

Could anyone tell me about how long it may take for his feathers to come back in?

 

[wildheart]

I cant tell you how long it will take for the feathers but I can tell you that your electricity bill is going to sky-rocket! My electricity bill went up from R2 000.00 to R5 800.00 IN ONE MONTH.

Is it a hot or cold humidifier?

 

[nofearengineer]

My electricity bill went up from R2 000.00 to R5 800.00 IN ONE MONTH.

For you non Seffricans, this would be about $280 US up to $800 US.

Holy moly, Linky...how much do you guys pay per kilowatt-hour?

 

[nofearengineer]

Hmmm....I got this from a website...

"in February 2010 the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved lower increases:

• 24.8 percent for 2010/11 financial year, which will bring the average Eskom electricity price to 41.31c per kWh;
• 25.8 percent for 2011/12, bringing the average Eskom electricity price 51.68 c per kWh; and
• 25.9 percent in 2012/13, making the average Eskom electricity price 65.06c per kWh"

That comes out to approximately: 6 cents US, 7 cents US, and 9 cents US.

That really surprises me, as here in the US, the average is about 12 cents US per kwh. I own a 1400 sqft house and even with leaving the TV on all day for Bitty, and a hot summers, my utility bill is only about $200 US (R1 450). What is using all of your power?

Are you extracting Uranium in your garage or something?

 

[Von1983]

Such good news about Dusty

Ahhhh Nofear, I think it is probably the reptiles!!!!

 

[DustyDusky]

Im not quite sure if its hot or cold. My dad didnt tell me that much. My family is really good about conserving electricity in the first place. We cut our bill in half from what it was last year so I dont think my dad will mind it too incredibly much. Even thought Dusty and him dont get along my dad does love him very much. Dusty gave me a scare three months ago where he fell in his cage and had to be brought to the vets ASAP. My dad was in tears when he called me. If it increases too much i will help him pay for it.

 

[wildheart]

"in February 2010 the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved lower increases:

• 24.8 percent for 2010/11 financial year, which will bring the average Eskom electricity price to 41.31c per kWh;
• 25.8 percent for 2011/12, bringing the average Eskom electricity price 51.68 c per kWh; and
• 25.9 percent in 2012/13, making the average Eskom electricity price 65.06c per kWh"

They might have approved it but they definitely did not apply it. They also slap on 25% during the winter just because they can. Yet all our municipalities are bankrupted - corrupt and suck us dry. I can scan my bill if you like so you can see and cry with us. The whole country does not pay the same, they look at your house and charge you according to how much money they think you have - (something like that).

Also remember that I have to run a hot house 24/7 because of my iguana, dragons, snakes and tarantulas. The humidifier is a hot one because the cold one cooled down his room too much. It is on a timer and every time it switches on then it is like a kettle that are switched on and boils until the timer swithches off.

Ah your dad sounds like a real hero, hopefully your electricity wont go up that much.

 

[Robert Gift]

... your electricity bill is going to sky-rocket! My electricity bill went up from R2 000.00 to R5 800.00 IN ONE MONTH.

Will more plants increase yourelative humidity enough that a humidifier will not be needed?
What about an open-top aquarium with bubbler?
Could you place a few vases full of water near Dusty le Dusky?

Is the humidifier heating water to cause it to evaporate?
That would also be heating your place and causing the furnace to work less.
Here, in semi-arid Colorado, our indoor plants add enough moisture.

There is an electronic humidifier which, using a ultrasonic transducer, fractures water into tiny mist-like dropplets which quickly evaporate.
But any dissolved minerals and chlorine in the water will become fine dust as the mist particlevaporates.
You would need distilled water to prevent dust pollution.

 

[DustyDusky]

I used to have a 75 gallon fish tank in the room with Dusty. But unfortunately the last few of the fish i had in it died this summer. So the tank has been empty of water and fish since then. This is the first year that there has not been a fish tank in the room with Dusty.

I would try live plants, but due to the lack of space in my house and the fact that out of my family of five only I have a green thumb and most the time I'm away at college.