How much electricity hydroponics use?

OldMedUser said:

The general rule was that you can run an extra 1000W for each bedroom in the house without attracting attention.

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US people are very lucky about that rule. In Europe people use a lot less electricity. Probably 300W for each bedroom is ok for Europe, but I have no idea about that.

If someone has an apartment with 2 bedrooms. Usually people pay $40 - $80 / month for that (Europe).
If they put more 300Wx 2 bedrooms = 1 HPS light 600W = +$60 / month, it is already paying 2x what most people pay.

Probably utilities or police only do something if 5 x + regular electricity bill.
5 X regular utility bill is $60 personal use (computer, lights, ...), 2 HPS 600W (+$120), +1200W vegging ligths, pumps, fans, heating, ... (+$120) = $300/month , 5X regular use $60/month
But I would never do it, so much electricity, very risky!
But I have no idea if is really risky or not. Probably a lot of people here are doing it for years and years and no problem. They have 2 or 3 HPS inside an apartment!

I'm lucky where I am smart meters are not working yet (they put them on the houses, but because the network system is not working yet, it is the same as old meters)
And I already ordered cobs (half the price of quantum boards)

It sounds like you just want a small personal grow so I wouldn't worry too much about it. With cobs you can grow plenty of pot without attracting any attention as long as you control the stink. I wouldn't want to grow in an apartment or even a normal suburban neighbourhood. My closest neighbour is about 500m away and not downwind of the normal western breeze here so I still haven't unwrapped the big carbon filter I bought 2 years ago.