Radiate

See, this is a topic that has bothered me for a while. People say "don't worry about it, my (insert friend here) has a $400 electric bill and they don't grow.", but my issue is I live in an APARTMENT. I have no business having large electric-sucking appliances in my home (like kilns, welding equipment and so on, so no fake businesses here) and any quick glance by a suspicious maintenance man will show there are no large TVs, amps, or high-end computers at my home nor do I have the space to put such things. I'm not even allowed a space heater in this damn place because they claim it's a fire hazard. I try to lean out as much electric as I can for the sake of my own bills if nothing else, but since the electric use for a little 1 bed apartment isn't much it won't take much to make a noticeable spike in usage. I hate to beat this dead horse subject, but it beats prison any day.

slodown88

mine with everyday house use /w dishwasher fridge, minifridge, house full of cfls, plus 400 hps with a couple fans tops out at 150$ if i forget to turn off lights.

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SCROG in the Bronx
RHxSD, SD, Bagseed
Trainwreck clones in the way 3rd grow
Sour Diesal and Romulan Haze

GreenDragon2k

in my opinion, if your running more than 1000 watts in an apartment your nuts anyway... For many many reasons other than the power bill...

And 1000 watts is next to nothing of a spike... Simply leaving a few hundred watt incandescent lights on all day with a computer and a television, can equate to that... Shucks they even make 250 watt incadescents...

The only time cops can use power use to try and detect a grow house is when its using a RIDICULOUS amount of energy.. 6,000 KWH and UP! Ok maybe for an apartment they might concider 3000 KWH high... But in the USA they're technically supposed to already have a warrant to pull your utility records... At least for it to hold up in court... Which means, if they're doing that. Someone already snitched you out... (most likely your neighbor for smelling all that weed your growing)

Most of you wont even reach 1000 KWH I bet A 1000w lamp on 12/12 uses about 360 KWH a month I seem to remember using about 900 kwh /mo when I grew in an apartment. w/ 1400w

No smell, No tell, No worries

On that note my power bill ranges from 400 - 700$ /mo and I'm not concerned What does concern me is keeping a good image for my neighbors, (not dressing like a hippy and wearing dreadlocks) and keeping the smell under control. Oh yeah, and keeping my mouth shut

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"Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction. " ~ Bob Marley

Just Yak

And even for me thats a super high power bill. I have gas heat so electricity isnt used much in the winter, with my 1k, voretx fan, t5 light fixture, other housing appliciances, 37" flat screen, surround sound m bill was only 85 last month

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I'll grant you I've had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it. Throughout my lifetime, I've left pieces of my heart here and there. And now, there's almost not enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent.

Originally Posted by OldPhart
Basic cheat sheet:
Ec goes up, PH goes down=plants require less nutes.
Ec goes down, PH goes up=Plants require more nutes
Ec stable, PH goes up=Equilibrium=Good thang.

The Spotted Dog

nk.0

I knew a guy a while back that got busted for using too much power. He didn't pay electricity, his landlord did. When the landlord noticed a surge in electrical usage he called the cops. Got 2 years probation.

swordfish

In med states, unless there's a clause in the rental agreement prohibiting pot growing in apartments, I dont see how they are going to get you for a hobby grow, unless the feds themselves show up and in that case your probably growing to many plants. The thread topic is "Power Bill". Seems like it's taken a turn with apartment power consumption issues. Seems like a civil rights issue to me. I was recently at an aquarium store where a large saltwater tank was lit up with 800w of clear MH to stimulate the coral and anemone growth. It occured to me if I was living in an apartment having aquariums would be a great cover for other activities if I lived in a state that had more restictive MJ laws. It's been suggested for renters who aspire to grow to immediatly upon moving into new dwelling to increase your power consumption from day 1 to establish a pattern whether growing or not. If someone like a landlord calls you out on your power consumption, you will know your under scrutiny at that location. It costs money to create diversions like the aquarium setup I mentioned but if your forced to reconcile about living and growing in an apartment you may have to spend some money creatively on a subterfuge (sp) to quarantee your security. Sometimes you have to spend money you dont want to, to mask other activities safely.

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pipedreamer

Try turning your fridge to the economy setting, most people run their fridge colder than it needs to be and that uses more juice than you would think.

deadhead757

i grow in an apt and my last bill was 215.00 using 1400KWH
thats the shadiest part of my grow i think..
only 2 600w HPS and a T5 fixture, and a 50 inch flatscreen...
but i found it easy to pass 1000 kwh a month and now im kinda getting shaded out by this thread
i hopeeeeeeeeee not
i do pay my bill on time though...

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A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

bobbooty

if you are gonna grow big, its not gonna be at an apartment. period. its just not smart. apartment grows should be small, and kept that way.

maybe there should be like a thread guide on different types of growing situations and ideal setups for them. for example, apartment grows should prolly stay under 1000w total. (thats fans, lights, everything, even hydro/soil non mechanical grows) could have like budget and stealth setups fit in that category. and then show the progression of setups up from there, along with tips and tricks to keep things on the stealth side of things, no matter how large the grow ends up being.

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Plucky Purcell

I think that is a fantastic idea, Mr. Bob.