Last I checked Los Angeles county was 24.8 cents per kWh, and just running a 320w LED bar array full steam in my 4x2 is pretty expensive compared to some. About $45 per month. That's just running the one tent since we moved. Then, you have to factor in the summer rates when the grid is overloaded due to everyone running AC in the summer. Then you have to consider the fact of running the AC in the house/wherever if you need to. I can't recall SD temps since I haven't visited in the summer for a long time. So that may not be as much of a factor. LA county doesn't have on/off peak rates unless you call and request it and LADWP will evaluate your usage. Which can be beneficial if you work from home. And we do both work from home so we may need to do that. Not sure if SD has that option.
Anyway, I try to cut costs where I can. All of my LED arrays are dimmable, which isn't unusual. But I do try to run the lights a little closer after the stretch so I don't have to run at full tilt. Also, my drivers are always outside the tent to cut back on heat in the tent = less need to keep the tent cool. Bonus points = you can move the driver back inside the tent in the cooler months for more warmth. Finally, I run the lights from 6PM to 12PM and off during the warmest part of the day year round. Which doesn't affect cost directly, but less need for AC/ heat. YMMV, but I feel your pain.
