p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
Is 2x 2-3kw alternating rooms running on 12hr shedule going to stick out like a sore thumb?
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2-3kw 12/12 flip room too big for stealthiness in neighborhood?
- Thread starter p0opstlnksal0t
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p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
Energy usage and usage patterns for the area. A neighborhood full of 1000-2000 sq ft homes built in the 70s
I used to worry about that at first.I have a 3K flower room and 1800 in veg in a thousand sq ft house.My bill jumped from 80 or 90 a month to around 350 usually.I was concerned too but like every other electrical customer to my knowledge,nothing ever came from it.I have never heard of a utility contacting the police because of electrical usage unless they thought theft was occurring.It could be different in other states and the last thing I want is to give advice that ends up hurting someone.I can only speak of my experience.Has anyone else ever heard about a utility contacting police because of heavy usage?Again I have never heard of it happening down here but where you are I just cant and don't want to say it wont happen.You should probably do a thorough search to see if its ever happened with your utility company.I did have some concerns at first for sure but I'm glad I didn't let it stop me.
p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
My bill right now is about 200-300 in a 1600 sq ft house. It's about 150% above the norm here and this is just from trying to keep the old house cool and everything is electric, no gas service out here. This will probably double when we add 2kw worth of lighting running 24/7 and a minisplit
Ask the utility company if you qualify for "time of use" (TOU) billing, since you "operate a commercial activity" in your home. Your higher electricity usage will now be "expected" and will become the new "norm"--since you will now be compared to other "TOU" customers.
TOU billing will reduce your overall electric bill by about 25%--(it did for me), provided you adjust your usage to certain times of the day. Cheapest rates are usually 10PM - 8AM, and most expensive are usually 2PM to 8PM. Normally, homes are charged for electric usage based on "baseline" limit scheme; the more you use, the higher the billing rate will be. But with TOU, the baseline is eliminated and you have basically two rates: high and low (depending on the time of day).
Summer rates for me--32 cents/kWh (2PM-8PM), 13 cents/kWh (10PM-8AM)...and 17 cents for the remaining time (8AM-2PM, 8PM-10PM).
Winter rates are a bit cheaper but same scheme--instead of 32 cents it is 22 cents.
TOU billing will reduce your overall electric bill by about 25%--(it did for me), provided you adjust your usage to certain times of the day. Cheapest rates are usually 10PM - 8AM, and most expensive are usually 2PM to 8PM. Normally, homes are charged for electric usage based on "baseline" limit scheme; the more you use, the higher the billing rate will be. But with TOU, the baseline is eliminated and you have basically two rates: high and low (depending on the time of day).
Summer rates for me--32 cents/kWh (2PM-8PM), 13 cents/kWh (10PM-8AM)...and 17 cents for the remaining time (8AM-2PM, 8PM-10PM).
Winter rates are a bit cheaper but same scheme--instead of 32 cents it is 22 cents.
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p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
Here at this specific startup op we're paying about 12 cents/kwh fixed. The problem with TOU is that we will be billed double for peak hours when we need the AC most as it often gets 90+ degrees and 80% or more humidity constantly.
p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
We just recently renovated this place, put in all new windows, air sealed the attic and blew in 16" of cellulose insulation and did radiant barrier. Not to mention all new hvac ducting. Hopefully this will make a big impact while we Kickstart this little 2kw perpetual grow.
Run the numbers, I did and I save about 3-4 benjamins each month. IMO, AC usage is not the killer (they do not draw a significant amount of power when lights are off)--but the hammer comes down when lights are on.
BTW, I live about 5 miles from the ocean in So Cali--and it is not uncommon for me to see 90-100 degree days. Humidity--ahh, there you got me beat!
I think things might change after you get your first bill when everything is up and running. A definite head scratcher!
BTW, I live about 5 miles from the ocean in So Cali--and it is not uncommon for me to see 90-100 degree days. Humidity--ahh, there you got me beat!
I think things might change after you get your first bill when everything is up and running. A definite head scratcher!
p0opstlnksal0t
Active member
Doc thanks for the heads up. I'll look into it for sure. In the gulf Coast the AC is usually running all day to attempt to keep these old houses habitable during the day. Also since we will have 2kw worth of lights running day and night we won't have a time when lights and ac will be shut down.
