Planning an indoor grow, electricity bill is the only problem

[DontWorryBoutIt]

Okay, so im planning a medium-sized indoor grow. For the grow and flowering rooms combined, the lights will use around 1600 watts. The space, water, and ventilation shouldn't be a problem. I just need a way of hiding the power consumption, cause that's a lot of extra watts and somebody will notice something (i live with other people).

Thanks in advance!

 

[smoke and coke]

look at your electric bill and see how much it is for 1 killawatt hour. lets say it is 10 cents kwh then 1600 watts would be 16 cents per hour the lights are on. you are going to have a harder time hiding the grow, smell, and the noise than the electric use.
you can change out some light bulbs to cfl's and turn off other things to save electricity.

 

[thalboy]

The electric company certainly won't notice. If you are splitting a bill with roommates than there isn't much you can do besides reducing power. I also don't suggest running a "medium sized grow" with multiple roommates you are trying to keep a secret from.

 

[DontWorryBoutIt]

I was considering a small generator to pick up the bulk of the power use, since we (me and my roommates) have a rather large lot and a shed with a basement/storm shelter in the back. What's your opinion on that? (since it would be 70 extra $$ a month without one)

 

[gobbly]

Say you got an electric blanket for your bed, or a small AC unit... It's going to be a noticeable increase, but not astronomical, and there are a lot of things that can cause that. Get an old POS computer, and tell them it's a server you have to run all the time to play with building websites (or whatever). Just make something up imo. If they are more nosy than that, maybe growing without them knowing is a bad idea, hehe.

 

[gobbly]

I was considering a small generator to pick up the bulk of the power use, since we (me and my roommates) have a rather large lot and a shed with a basement/storm shelter in the back. What's your opinion on that? (since it would be 70 extra $$ a month without one)

Gas generators are kinda loud... I have one that comes on when the power goes out and I don't think my neighbors like it much, hehe. Solar maybe?