Showerthoughts

29701 readers

1466 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

All posts must be showerthoughts
The entire showerthought must be in the title
Avoid politics
1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
Posts must be original/unique
Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

248

If a machine is never 100% efficient transforming energy into work because part of the energy is converted into heat, does it mean an electric heater is 100% efficient? [@[email protected]](h (social.graves.cl)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

82 comments fedilink hide all child comments

If a machine is never 100% efficient transforming energy into work because part of the energy is converted into heat, does it mean an electric heater is 100% efficient? @[email protected]

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 49 points 9 months ago (13 children)

Doesn’t the light turn into heat anyway as soon as it’s absorbed?

[–] [email protected] 42 points 9 months ago (8 children)

I mean if you want to go that route, we could just say that every speaker, light source, motor, etc is 100% efficient at generating heat because all of its energy output will eventually become heat.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 9 months ago (5 children)

That is also completely true, but meaningless because heat generation is not the purpose of these devices. However, if you use them in a building heated by a thermostat-controlled electric heater, you’re effectivhly running them for free.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I‘m was using two old servers with folding@home running as space heaters in the winter. I got them for dirt cheap and thought if I convert electricity into heat, I might as well do something good with it. Also nice opportunity to run a minecraft server for the kids during that time.