If we're getting into the nitty-gritty, then let's also include energy cost inflation into the equation. These numbers are for PG&E which is roughly equivalent for SF:

    2001: 0.10c kw/h
    2017: 0.28c kw/h (as per my recent bill)

That's an average of 10% increase in energy cost per year!

https://www.pge.com/tariffs/electric.shtml

Isn't 2001 during the Enron fucking with the West Coast for profit years? A quick review of wikipedia suggests that in 2001 prices may have been held artificially low. A quote by Gray Davis seem instructive:

> "Believe me, if I wanted to raise rates I could have solved this problem in 20 minutes."

2.8x increase over 16 years is a CAGR of 6.6%, not 10%.

(1.066 ^ 16 = 2.8)

Correction acknowledges!

Hahahaha that's an awesome point and not something I'd thought of.

But it seems that on your recent bill they're including the service fee in that – I'm only paying 14 I believe? Also, wasn't energy super expensive in 2001 due to deregulation? (I'd need to research this, not sure).

Given his current setup, you have a good point.

However, with a setup that includes say, his refrigerator, there'll be more than enough load to ensure no collected energy is ever "wasted"