A cheat sheet for why using ChatGPT is not bad for the environment

https://simonwillison.net/2025/Apr/29/chatgpt-is-not-bad-for-the-environment/

Comments

-5 points · 3 comments · view on lemmy.world

3 Comments

sneezycat@sopuli.xyz · 7 pts · 1y (2 replies)

If you want to prompt ChatGPT 40 times, you can just stop your shower 1 second early. [...]

Notably, Andy's calculations here are all based on the widely circulated higher-end estimate that each ChatGPT prompt uses 3 Wh of energy.

So, 1s of shower is supposed to be 40*3Wh, or 120Wh? That's, what, a 432000W heater? I'm not running a small nuclear power plant to shower in the morning.

cx40@programming.dev · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)
  • Specific heat capacity of water: 4.184J/(gC)
  • Average shower temperature: 37C
  • Cold tap water temperature: T
  • Shower head output: 2gallon/min = 7.57L/60s = 126ml/s = 126g/s

1s * (126g/s) * (4.184J/(gC)) * (37C - T) = 524J/C * (37C - T)

120Wh = 432000J

T = -787C

So I guess the math checks out if your city's water supply temperature is way below absolute zero.


Scratch that, let's assume the water actually flows, so T=0C. What water throughout do we need to achieve this level of power consumption?

1s * (X g/s) * (4.184J/(gC)) * (37C) = 432000J

X = 2791g/s = 44gpm

You would have to be showering with 17 showerheads simultaneously using showerheads that are rated at the highest legal flow rates in the US (2.5gpm).

stevestevesteve@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

What, you don't shower with 800C steam?