FoolishKlutz

Well obviously when you're using several hundred (Or more so thousand) watts of grow lights, you need to save some electricity to reduce the bill to reduce suspicion. Also, you shouldn't start reducing it until you started growing.

One method of saving electricity is using CFL's for your regular household lights.

A classic is turning off the lights when you leave a room. Who else is gonna be in there, ghosts? Pets? Ok then.

Another is replacing CRT monitors/TV screens with LCD monitors/TV screens. Although LCD monitors/screens are expensive, they don't have that bright glare like CRT monitors/screens do, meaning your eyesight is better, and they take up less space, and don't forget they take up less watts.

An idea I got from the last one is getting one of those things that allow your monitor to be your tv screen and vice versa. That should save some watts.

Turn off your gaming console when you're done with it. The PS3 and 360 use 100 watts when you're playing a game. The wii...15 watts, a lot less. Even if you're on pause, that system has to remember where you are, how many points you have, etc. so it's still using a percentage of watts.

Another one is if you have a lot of money, install solar panels on your roof. I recommend waiting a few more years to buy solar panels though, unless you need em right now.

Put your computer in standby mode when you're not on it.

Sometimes, you just can't reduce the bill enough. Do you hear it? It's time for excuses! It has to be something could start happening regularly. Also, note how much the bill increased. For instance:

If you have a very young person in your family, you could say you leave the lights on cause that person is afraid of the dark. You could even not have a very young person in your family, what are they gonna come in your house and find out if you have one?

You could say you got an extra refrigerator or freezer.

Another excuse is that some family members got a new (Or used) computer and the computers are on all the time.

This one probably isn't the best, but you could say you really got into cooking, and the oven/stove/microwave are on a lot.

So guys, that's all I could harvest out of my brain, now it's time for your ideas.

Luke Highwalker

a kiln is a good excuse for drawing a shit ton of power... say you are into pottery/glass making whatever.

but honestly if they ask you are using so much power, you are fucked already.

as long as you pay your bill, use as much as you want. they dont care.

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ILLEGAL-SEED

unless you have 20,000 watts in the basement, they wont even notice

FoolishKlutz

Well let's say you maintain about the same electrical bill for several years, and the bill suddenly doubles or triples. Doesn't that raise unwanted attention?

Well let's say the DEA or some other agency asks the electrical company why someone's electrical bill is so high? I like your kiln idea, if they answered, for example, that the person uses a kiln regularly, they'll probably just say "oh" and not find it suspicious. If there's anything noted about you and marijuana though, you might be fucked.

GreenDragon2k

Personal experience denotes a big fat no. At least, I haven't had anyone ask yet... I even say hi to the power meter reader guy when I see him (and my bill has way more than trippled )

If "they" are asking why your electrical bill is so high you've already arisen their suspicion somewhere else... And thats a much much bigger problem that no excuse is going to get you out of. Of course it cant hurt to have one handy just in case I guess But if the need arises you might wanna just save your breath and start tearing down your growroom.

Lots of legitimate reasons for running lots of watts: Arc welding, space heaters, reef tanks/saltwater aquariums, saunas & hot tubs... Air conditioners of course. And the kiln is a great one... I've seen kilns that draw 60 amps on 240v

Couple other good ways to reduce your bill however; which is always a good idea

Use your lights to heat your house... (I haven't turned in the heat in ages)
Hang dry your clothing, or go to a laundry mat
Fill up the sink to wash the dishes instead of using the dishwasher to save on hot water
Take quick showers, less often - or shower at the health club (assuming you have an electric water heater)

And even then they probably wouldn't notice

Lots more pertinent things to be worrying about security wise... #1 concern is keeping that orifice between your nose and your chin zipped tight. Might seem easy now but once you have a big closet full o' buds you'll just wanna go screaming for joy and tell all your friends And #2 concern is smell control... No tell, no smell, no worries

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FoolishKlutz

I guess you're right, but I could still imagine "them" attempting investigations on people who have expensive bills. It's always safer than sorry, right?

GreenDragon2k

True, but they're more likely to start an investigation by watching your local hydro store for leads... Or by driving around with an infrared camera... Two things that most people don't usually worry much about, nor should they... but do warrant more concern than your power bill does, at least in my opinion.

Usually they'll use one of those methods for the lead, then pull your power records for the warrant... But these tactics have only been documented in some of the less liberal areas. In medical states they *usually* dont bother watching hydro stores because theres such a large amount of legal traffic.

Fortunately using infrared is technically illegal without warrant... Not that they wont use it anyway, but it'd get thrown out in court.

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

pipedreamer

I personally dont think you need an excuse, But I would Imagine they are seeing power bills double and tripple all over the country due to foreclosures and hard times. THink about it people lose their homes and move in with relatives now you have 2 and 3 families living in the same house, which will cause quite a jump in usage. Just My .

bobbooty

"average" electrical use also includes vacant homes, for sale.

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FoolishKlutz

I was just reading this grow guide (Kale Growing Guide), and it read:

SAFETY AND PRIVACY

Utility companies can tell your bill is way off from the same time last year, and police are finding growers this way. More than 500 watts in the family home running constantly will show up as a regular monthly increase in electricity use. You can claim space heaters, more people living on the premises, too many television sets, and late hours, if they happen mention it to you (innocently). If the police knock and ask you about it, don't let them in, and move your plants to another location during the wee hours in a vehicle not your own.

Upon moving into a new place, it may be desirable to immediately establish high electricity use, so that your electrical use history won't reveal your activities in the future...

Light leaks, open windows, heat expelled from rooms that would normally be cool, and rip-offs are all serious issues to be concerned about. Don't use a burglar alarm on when your away from the house. People are busted this way when the kids try to rip off the garden and the police come. Lock the house up well, and let them take it if they need it so bad. It's not worth getting busted for a burglary...

Think ahead to any situation that will require outsiders to visit sensitive areas of the house. Repairmen, solicitors, meter readers, neighbors, appraisers, and pets should all be considered and contingency plans made in advance.