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3 June 91
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Steven Michelson Productions
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Fido Software
Tom Jennings
666 Illinois
San Francisco CA 94107
(415)-552-8156
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I have completed the measurement of our power usage. I measured�
current draw by our two main power connections on the hour over a�
period of weeks, computed averages per-hour, and from that, a total�
per-day, of power used. The pattern was typical; heaviest power usage�
was afternoon/early evening, lowest was 3AM -- 6AM when there is�
rarely anyone here.

Previously, I had been calculating what we owed by the {\tt THIS�
YEAR/LAST YEAR} columns from the PG\&E bill. The rationale was that�
SMP's power usage was constant from 1989 -- 1990 and that the�
difference was our added load. I wanted to be generous enough to avoid�
argument. I grossly underestimated SMP's power-usage increase in that�
time. I simply guessed, as it was {\it far} easier than any other�
method.

So now we have hard numbers. We have just leased a Canon copier, and�
while we're pretty good about keeping it on standby, it will raise our�
power usage. I will monitor our power usage in a month or so after our�
copier usage has leveled out.

The bottom line -- our power usage in July was \$52/month. This is�
based upon measured .602{\it kwh}/day power consumption, and�
12/cents/{\it kwh} cost. (The cost varies; it runs from 11\cents\ to�
12\cents\ per.) Probably our power usage has not remained constant�
either (who's does?) and this is number is slightly high for previous�
months.

In addition using the old calc-from-the-PG\&E-bill method, we've�
overpaid SMP \$550 from June 90 through 11 April 91. At \$52/mo.~this�
is about 10 months worth. 

So starting 1 Jan 92 (under 9 months from 11 April 91), we will mail�
you on the first of every month, \$52 for electricity. I think the�
regularity will go along way to smooth things out. In the mean time, I�
will once again measure our usage, to compensate for the copier, and�
to double-check the current figures.

Regarding the water bill: after literally months of phone calls and�
correspondence, it turns out that we can do nothing to change the�
buiding's allotment. It has to be done by whomever appears on the�
bill. We figured that at that time (Spring/Summer 91) there were 20+�
people occupying the building, between SMP, Watermark (?) and us. We�
have 8 full-time employees, plus a dozen or so part time, using the�
facilities at all hours. I assume SMP had 10 or more. We can only�
assume that future tenants will have the same occupancy load.

The appeals process is fairly simple; you fill out a form and the�
allotment is increased. Probably now, when there is no crisis, is�
about as painless as it gets. If there's something we can do to help,�
let us know. 

Since the responsibility lies with SMP, if come next spring there is�
water rationing again, we will not be responsible for the over-usage�
penalties.

We are very, very careful in all of our utility usage. Rooms are not�
left lit when they are not occupied. Water is never left running. We�
ahve our own trash pickup. We recycle everything. The reason I mention�
this is that we're pretty conscious of our usage of things. If�
anything changed radically here, we will contact you as soon as�
possible.


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Tom Jennings
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