How much electricity is too much electricity

I searched around a little but couldn't find a post regarding this.

I'm doing some math for the grow op I'm setting up, trying to fly under the radar, and have read that the electric company may contact authorities if they suspect a grow operation. I'm planning on using four lights, three for veg, one for flower. The three veg are 130w, 260w and 260w. The one flower is 520w. They're LED lights that use less draw than the rated output, 130w = 300w for example.

This makes roughly 646Kwh per month, including fans. My usual electric bill for the house is as low as 600kwh and as high as 2500kwh per month.

I'm planning on staggering when the lights come on and shut off, and maybe varying the schedule too. I just found out about this 6/2 light schedule, maybe that would be better as it might be harder to identify.

This 646kwh is probably really small compared to those that have multiple 1000w HPS's but just wanted to check to be sure.

Wondering how much others are pulling and how much is too much. And any other tips people might have.

I'm also concerned because the bill reports what my neighbors use and they're already under my average, without the grow op setup.

You'll be safe as long as you pay your bill, the Power Company want's your money.
I really don't think that at your level you'll raise any red flags.
Now, on the other hand, if you start stealing electricity or request a larger transformer to feed your house, you might get their attention.

Yea I read that, just pay your bill and pay it on time.

I think I'll be adding my 400w hps/mh to the flower stage. Making the total 781kwh a month. Still a similar small level?

Look at it this way. You plug in a diesel truck clock heater in the winter. It’s 900-1100watts. I some times have 2-3 vehicles plugged in.

Or my walk in meat locker for hunting running for hunting season non stop.

Some one buys a hot tub.

All these things are big spikes in power. No one batts a eye.

I got a buddie that grows salt water coral and fish. He runs grow light to simulate sunrise and sunset.

Pay your bill. Not gonna be a issue.

Most likley way of getting caught is smell or talking to people.

Invest in solar panels and call it a day......

Reesecup said:

Invest in solar panels and call it a day......

Click to expand...

In solar? Really?
Thousands of dollars to mask a sub 1000watt grow.

Trying to pump power back it the grid is the best way to attract attention. You are messing with the boss mans $. He will come knocking.

My hot tub, electric water heater, A/C and pool all use more power than your entire grow
You will be fine if you take care of odor

Hi @mobone

As a small scale grower, you have nothing to worry about.
You would have to be running at least 4 or 5 1000w HPS before to take that into account.

However, to lower your power bill, you can run the lamps at night and also use a light-rail.

Cheers bro,

I read years ago the rule is basically 1000w per bedroom you have in the house won't even raise eyebrows. I do get notices that the usage for my house is in the 90th percentile, but really I'm not worried about it. With the amount of draw household appliances, and computers have it is no big deal. Many computers have 500+ watt power supplies, and many houses have multiple computers.

You wont even come close to throwing any red flags with CFL.
Dude my Diesel truck motor block heater uses 800 watts. Lol and that's plugged in for 16 hours a day. Not including my house usage. Relax and have fun.
I may run close to 2000 watts total including fans and such, I think my bill went up $40 a month?

Aladdin.khalifa said:

also use a light-rail.

Click to expand...

Great Idea! You just saved me $200 a year! Also less heat issues! Thanks a lot Aladdin!

I run half my flower lights for 10 hours and the other for 12. Saves a little coin in the long run. Also, They won't see all that power draw all at once when everything boots up.

But like others said, As long as you pay and on time, it shouldn't be an issue.
Tell them you are mining for bitcoins.

A space heater runs 1500w unless you are running several thousand you wont even cause a blink

Maaan, I think it is not very suspicious to spend more electricity per month, but the harvest takes about 3 months. So, you have to pay the bills somehow until you get the first profit. Unpaid electricity can cause much more questions than its overconsumption. To avoid proof of your income you should earn bitcoins playing games. It’s easy) even my younger got the thing)

If they suspect growing they will watch for the 12/12 cycle (smart meters). If there is enough wattage to see that cycle repeat then you need to worry about LEO checking the trash and looking for other evidence to get a warrant.

I pay the bill and burn everything that could be evidence. Sounds good. Thanks everyone!