220v box...ELECTRIC BILL $$$$

[Bosshog Diesel]

Anyone out there run a sun systems 220v box with 4 220v's and 2 110's. Just wandering what your electric bill runs. I got mine in...and it is UNBELIEVABLE. I was told that they use the same amount of electricity whether you run one light on them or four. I was also told it would run an additional 500-600 bucks a month to what im already paying. Any knowledge or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Got a link to the "220v box"?

If you're only running 1k off it, there's really no reason it should be using 4kw of energy.

The amount it actually adds to your light bill will depend on how much per KWH you're paying...a single 1k at $.10 a KWH running 12/12 should only add about $40 to your light bill.

 

[Bosshog Diesel]

running 3k watts and couple boxfans. large exhaust fan and household a/c. doesnt seem like that adds up to 1300 bucks. bill is saying around 4000 megawatts.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

I think you're probably talking about 4000KWH...not unreasonable in a decent sized house, especially if it has electric appliances.

$1300 on the other hand is insane for that consumption...can you switch power providers to get a better rate? Those prices equal out to about $.32 a KWH - about triple the national average.

 

[Legit_User]

Those prices equal out to about $.32 a KWH - about triple the national average.

Welcome to California and de-regulation.....
Stay peacefull

 

[Guest]

Welcome to California and de-regulation.....

Yeah, you non-Californians probably don't know what a real bill looks like. I don't recall the exact setup, but in an otherwise empty house (maybe fridge, a couple of house lights?) running 3k flower power ran over $800 a month. And that was before the most recent major rate hike (when the >300% baseline was something like $0.30/kWh, rather than approaching $0.40/kWh).

For a majority of >1k growers out here, electricity used for growing will typically run >$0.30/kWh.

 

[Guest]

Sure sounds like Cali to me!!!!!

After your go over baseline rate and then the multiple charges for going over 100% of baseline many times over, it really stacks up. Cali's rates are high to start with.

The electric bill pails in comparison to the amount of weed you can grow with 4000w of light. Most of my plants are worth a lot more than $1000 and multiply that by 36 plants minimum for 4 1000w lights.

Bottom line is if you run that much power you better know what your doing.

 

[Guest]

The electric bill pails in comparison to the amount of weed you can grow with 4000w of light. Most of my plants are worth a lot more than $1000 and multiply that by 36 plants minimum for 4 1000w lights.

I've been attempting to get this concept through to my grow partner, trying to persuade him away from solar panels. One of us is severely confused on the legality status.

 

[Guest]

!!!!! For those prices, I'd look into solar, even if just for the grow lights. The costs of the deep cycle batteries, inverter, solar panels, etc - may be very well worth it when you're paying that much.

 

[purrpullkush]

just for the record, most people in cali with more than one or two 1kw lights are paying closer to 37 cents a kilowatt hour. 5 or 6 lights and an a/c + a couple fans is gonna be well over a thousand bucks a month.

 

[Bosshog Diesel]

wow...did not know...i surely know what im doing but havent gone over 2k before this grow. thanks for the response guys. guess ill have to adjust my budget...haha

 

[hazeywonder]

yeah it sucks you are allowed only 10kw a day as a baseline depending on your district and once you go over that you are getting charged up the woozo. In the winter months your baseline use goes up to 16kw a day so if you can, find when your company switches and go full power then.. you'll save a few bucks..

mine is around 500-650 for 2800+fans,pumps,chiller,airpumps, and other people living here.

 

[purrpullkush]

yeah, and also, atleast here in CA, getting on the time of use rate is a big hassle and you end up saving very little. Commercial rates(available only to businesses) are somewhat better and you aren't being penalized for going above baseline. Also, there are a LOT of people with big electricity bills here in CA, whether they are growing or taking part in some other activity that uses alot of electricity(kiln, electric welder, space heaters, a/c's, etc etc) is not easily determined(requires a meter reader to go out of his way) and does not raise a red flag. Besides, PG&E has clearly stated that they are not so interested what you are doing with the power, but mostly concerned with whether you pay your bill on time or not. They won't discuss your account with police without a subpeona. ANYHOO!!! Just my 2 cents!

 

[Bosshog Diesel]

yeah....not too concerned with what they think..legal med grow over here. I just didnt anticipate my bill increasing this much. It is still worth it in the long run i guess..but it just sucks.

 

[purrpullkush]

yeah, I'm a patient/caregiver myself, it sucks that detection avoidance is necessary but I wouldn't feel safe thinking "doesn't matter if I get busted because I am legit". There are expensive and painful lessons to be learned.