Electric Bill Help

[SeedlessOne]

Ok guys i need some help. The thing is i live alone right now and i have a grow going on now right now using a 1000w. I know how much that made my bill go up. I will be moving with a good friend of mine to some new apartments. the thing there is it is everything included, water, cable, electric, etc. So my question is if we run 2 600 digital ballasts in the new apartment, do you think that there would be any suspision? since they pay the bill?? Any input is greatly appreciated!!

[SmokeyD.Bear]

It's none of their business. If you're worried, make it look like you leave the A/C on or several computers running 24/7.

[iwantFUEGO]

wow ive never seen apartments with electricty included...

[orangeman]

So my question is if we run 2 600 digital ballasts in the new apartment, do you think that there would be any suspision? since they pay the bill?? Any input is greatly appreciated!!

Yes, they would be wondering why you would need 1200 watts (not to include the other stuff that will be running besides the lights) for a small apartment. I believe I watched a video that mentioned anything over 1200 watts could be suspicious but probably not a concern if you lived in an actual home around people that use probably the same ammount of wattage. Or you probably would be less suspicious to them if you were running that same thing in a house and not a apt :p.

If anything try 2 400w lights or one 600w light or something like that.

[Brother Schenker]

15 years ago I used a 250 watt grow light and it sent our bill up by $11 a month.

How much a month has that 1000 watt put your bill up?

Two six hundred watters comes out to 1200 watts...I'd say you'd be seriously pushing your luck. Dead serious. The landlord will freak out when he/she gets the electricity bill (I would).

And leaving a computer on 24/7--even 2 or 3 of them, ain't gonna account for 1200 watts---not even close.

Why move at all?

[iwantFUEGO]

just use CFLs like all the other smart people =P

[SeedlessOne]

i want HID lighting..also i am moving cities so that is why i am moving...

[orangeman]

i want HID lighting..also i am moving cities so that is why i am moving...

Yeah I understand about the want for a HID..like I said just try 2 400 watt lights, it's way less riskier than 1200 fuckin watts lol.

[friendowl]

digital ballast are supposed to use way less power
i would get those better

i use a 1000 w hps and the bill gets high
like an extra 80-100 a month

thank god its summer

[BukDatAss]

Yeah I would say go with 2 400watts and have electric heaters/ AC and Computers all over the place to make it seem like u guys use lots of electricity

[bongerstonerd00d]

Here is some info I am posting from Discount Hydro on their digi ballasts.


Compact, quiet, and lightweight, Electronic Digital Ballasts operate using electronic circuitry instead of a magnetic ballast. They offer a number of advantages over standard magnetic ballasts. The power factor is 99%, which means that they are very efficient. The 1000 watt ballasts run at 120 volts. The 400 watt and 600 watt run at either 120 or 240 volts by just changing the power cord. They are very quiet during operation. A power savings of about 10-15% makes these ballasts very economical to run. They can run either Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium Bulbs. Soft starts will increase the life of your bulbs.

Hope this helps you make your decision. I went with digi as I figure they will easily pay for themselves.


b0nger

[Pothead4204life]

it may seem a little suspicious....but remember..they can come in anytime they want to change the filter or pest control..and they might look around to see whats up....

[SeedlessOne]

Well in my lease in states that no one can enter my apt unless i am there and there is a 48 hour notice...also it will be tucked away in a big walk in closet that will be locked up like fort knox..

[sacred haze]

I would say that you dont really have anything to worry about if they have to give you a 48 hr. notice to come check out your apartment. On the safe side though, I would go with the 2 400 watters.

[lovetogrow]

i would say you got more to worry about with smell in an apartment then that 1000 watt light

[SeedlessOne]

Smell is no problem...im gonna stick to northern lights as mine now smell very little..

[stinkyattic]

What's the rule of thumb... you get 1000w/bedroom total?

If you want to use all your electricity on growing, make sure you are WICKED tightass about everything else.

Replace all other lights with cfls. Turn them off unless you are using them.
If you have an electric hot water heater, take showers elsewhere.
If you have a washer/dryer, use the laundromat instead.
Don't use the heated dry on your dishwasher.
Don't use anything with a heating element- blow dryer, coffee pot , toaster, bathroom warmer, electric cooktop, etc. LEarn to love microwave ramen noodles.
It's just common sense. But I wouldn't grow in an apartment complex anyway, or with a roommate. Even if you are great buds, being on a lease together has ruined more than one friendship!!

[bongerstonerd00d]

All it takes in an apartment complex is a water pipe to burst while everyone is working or whatever and next thing you know Cletus is in your apartment snooping around fixing the leak and you are B U S T E D ! I'd think to even attempt growing in an ampartment one would need to be extra super stealthy. And to do that, can you actually grow enough to even make it worth it ? I dont like the idea of "them" paying the electric bill either. That sounds like that alone could get you busted. Mr Joe landlord is going to be wondering why you are using 1.5-2 times more juice than anyone else in a very short amount of time. The more you cost him, the more he pays attention to your every move. 1000 watts is not much til you are running it 12 hours per day, EVERY day.....lol:dance: Just some thoughts. No matter what you decide, best of luck.

b0nger

[Forwhat420]

STAY AWAY FROM APARTMENT GROWS especially if they include electricity. bottom line

[R-L-B BinGall Rec.]

i dont think they will bother here in denmark where i live and grow
the electric bill also is included like yours
and we have a record studio with all thinkable mixers and sound divices, a bunch of spiders and other exotic critters with heat mats and lights and a grow room with 400-600w lights the fan and all other normal things like pc,
ps3, tv, dvd so the disc spins out off control every day all year never had enyone stickin there nose in it yet.
but you could steel elctrics from some one next door i now some even changes the setups in there electric meter so it dosent show what you use fore grow and stuff
its somthing wit a cable they pull out and fix betven the meterbox in there home and the electric transformer outside
it is dangerus and highly risci so you should not try this by yourself, but get some one that knows about highpower electricity.
good grow

[greenbastard]

Buildings with inclusive hydro have one meter for the entire building. No meters for every apt, or individual floors. So they shouldn't notice a thing as far as power is concerned.

But I'd be more worried about the leaky pipe, toilet scenario.

If you do grow put them in a room that building staff wouldn't need access to. There doesn't need to be a leak in your apt, could be on some floor above you and they would have to systematically work their way up/down to find the location of the problem.

[palerider7777]

how about when u talk to the landlord. just act normal and say r u sure it's ok about paying the light bill. cause i run a couple of computers and like it cold. so i run the a/c alot and what ever else u want to say to them. that way they have a heads up about it when they get the bigger than normal bill. it comes in and they'll be like oh yea he told me he runs more stuff than most people. cause he works online alot. u know instead of them getting a bill that there used to paying. say 100 and now it's 150 just give a heads up instead of a shocking bill

[oldsanclem]

Its all quite simple the manager looks at the bill and when it goes up
Your rent may go up, you may get a inspection from the manager, for electrical problems.
In life nothing is free , time will tell, best of luck.
Also growing with a friend, good luck with that.
Always remember growing pot is like hidding a cow. It smells, it makes noise, it leaves stuff around, it attract flys/friendn/freeloaders

[4x5]

Always remember growing pot is like hidding a cow. It smells, it makes noise, it leaves stuff around, it attract flys/friendn/freeloaders

lol; Very wise, you should make that your sig! :stoned:

[khronik]

I wouldn't worry about it if they need notice, but definitely try and cut back on electricity usage. Stinky has the right idea, although I'd also suggest lowering the coldness on your refrigerator. Also, if you make sure to stock your refrigerator and freezer, it actually uses less electricity because it doesn't turn on as often.

If you have a laptop, use that instead of your desktop when possible.

Basically, just do the opposite of what most people do when they have an apartment that includes utilities. :)

[PharmaCan]

The first thing I'd do is look around the new apartment and see if they have individual electric meters for each apartment. Some buildings were built with master meters instead of individual ones for each unit - which is about the only sane reason for an apartment owner to pay for the electricity. Anyway, if there are no seperate meters, there's no way to tell how much power you are using.

Find out if you have anything to worry about before you go about worrying.

PC:smokin:

[Tomthehippie]

http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/102514-faq-how-save-electricity-whilst-growing-just-lower-your-power-bill.html

:)

[Clu33er Lang]

http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/102514-faq-how-save-electricity-whilst-growing-just-lower-your-power-bill.html

:)

aha i read this post before but lost it then 4got about it thx for bringing it up again dude :D its great advice to save on the leccy bill