Got a scare, meter reader, uk

[smokejoint]

Ok, I'm in the Uk, been growing with a 250 light for a few years now, no probs. Until the other day. The meter reader came out again as he

" had been told to come back and check this address again, as the reading is a bit high"

Our bill has been consistant for the last few years, without the hps on we use around £10 a week, with the hps running, and it has been running now for a few years non stop, the bill is around £12.50 a week. It costs 2.5 to run the hps.

Big deal right?

So, I ask myself, WTF? Whats up now after 2 years+ that now an extra 2.50 a week demands a special call out just for me to check my meter.

Could it be that they are working with the police here?

Maybe they can see my light schedule?

Maybe they have seen something with flir or have had a tip off and are just going through a few other motions to get a warrant?

Something just doesn't seem right about it.

In any event I only had a seedling, so I've got rid and am now in the process of germinating some ghost chillies in my closet instead. Hopefully my instincts are right and they come through my door to find chilli plants..

Think I'm paranoid or do you sense the weirdness of the situation?

 

[PattyWagon]

If they were investigating your high usage it doesn't seem helpful to tell you it seemed "high". But I'd rather be a paranoid stoner rather in jail being force fed a boner.

 

[vacpurge]

no, anytime you sense heat, back off and let things cool down. its smart to do that, the chilis are an awesome idea. if you got a gut feeling, go with it... nothing worse than being paranoid the whole time. at least with the chilis youll have a clean conscience and nothing to worry about. after a few months if nothing happens, then you can re asses everything and try growing again.

 

[smokejoint]

If they were investigating your high usage it doesn't seem helpful to tell you it seemed "high". But I'd rather be a paranoid stoner rather in jail being force fed a boner.

I know it doesn't seem helpful, but maybe the guy is just a shmuck and didn't realise my high powers of perception..

no, anytime you sense heat, back off and let things cool down. its smart to do that, the chilis are an awesome idea. if you got a gut feeling, go with it... nothing worse than being paranoid the whole time. at least with the chilis youll have a clean conscience and nothing to worry about. after a few months if nothing happens, then you can re asses everything and try growing again.

Great minds think alike, yeah, I very much believe in going with the gut, and playing things ultra smart, any whiff of heat and my grow will be a misery of paranoia. I'm gonna give it 4-6 months then I figure i'll be safe again

 

[azman]

mate calm down, firstly the energy company doesn't care what you do so lng as you pay, and if all your using is £12 a week they probably suspect your wired bud, as that's way low, and equates to £40 a month, my monthly average bill comes in £310 per month, so if you think you could be investigated for "high usage" then you really are "high" lol.
who is your supplier? i wanna switch to your tariff lol.

 

[PattyWagon]

Go with your gut. Better safe than sorry. Good luck my brother.

 

[vacpurge]

310 per month is like 600$ canadian a month.... holy shit thats high!! I read of a guy who grew for the government in eastern canada... he had ten 1000W lights and his bill wasnt even 600$ a month to run!

 

[azman]

all i have for growing too is 2x 600watts, couple 8" fans, the est is used by electrical appliances lol, but i do have a lot of gadgets/home security. and i have maintained roughly the same amount for quite a while now.

 

[shadyslater]

mate a 250w hps is gonna be the same or less power than an old 20" tv

 

[slowbus]

rule #1- Establish a high usage and never let it go down.


maybe you get for free a used(broken) hot tub or something that explains some usage and put it on your patio or deck/whatever(if possible)Pretend you use it

 

[smokejoint]

yeah I know guys, it doesn't make sense. It's the very reason I'm rockin a 250, to keep power usage down, and I really thought a few quid a week was well under the radar. But the fact remains, guy comes in on an errant to check my "high usage" . It's not high ,so wtf. Just puzzles the shit out of me . I think it could be within the realms of possibility that they can see I'm using a 12/12 light schedule, or that the cops have been tipped off somehow and enquired about my usage , or else I'm just being para.. smells fishy though so gonna play it safe for a while

 

[slowbus]

if you guys "play it safe" everytime you get a gutcheck you will never get 1 bowl to smoke.Man up or just pass your gear down to someone that can produce for you

 

[Saerimmner]

yeah I know guys, it doesn't make sense. It's the very reason I'm rockin a 250, to keep power usage down, and I really thought a few quid a week was well under the radar. But the fact remains, guy comes in on an errant to check my "high usage" . It's not high ,so wtf. Just puzzles the shit out of me . I think it could be within the realms of possibility that they can see I'm using a 12/12 light schedule, or that the cops have been tipped off somehow and enquired about my usage , or else I'm just being para.. smells fishy though so gonna play it safe for a while

Unless you are stealing electricity then your usage is none of their business so tell them to go fuck themselves. Also,most TV's/PC's etc run far more than 250W these days so he is either lying about the reason he is checking your meter/usage or someone on your grid IS stealing electricity and they are trying to narrow down which house/flat it is

 

[smokejoint]

if you guys "play it safe" everytime you get a gutcheck you will never get 1 bowl to smoke.Man up or just pass your gear down to someone that can produce for you

True enough, but still, I got a young kid so I'd really hate to get caught now, when the kid is grown up my balls will be made of steel regarding grows, just have to keep things super tight for now.

Unless you are stealing electricity then your usage is none of their business so tell them to go fuck themselves. Also,most TV's/PC's etc run far more than 250W these days so he is either lying about the reason he is checking your meter/usage or someone on your grid IS stealing electricity and they are trying to narrow down which house/flat it is

Good points , I'm worried if he is lying, why is he lying, does it mean i'm under suspicion, i'll just wait and see now my house is clean

 

[vacpurge]

soo... how much does a 1000W add to the bill?

same as getting a 60" big screen tv, dvd player, surround system, and xbox, laptop and internet modem, and running them all at once? plus the old lady and her fuckin 5 loads of laundry a week.

how does a grow show compare to normal day stuff? what could you cut back on to compensate. also, would it be smart to make lights in the grow room come on during the night, so your energy use is constant throughout the day, or have it spike when you wake up from turning on the tvs and surround system, etc.. on, + lights???

 

[vacpurge]

True enough, but still, I got a young kid so I'd really hate to get caught now, when the kid is grown up my balls will be made of steel regarding grows, just have to keep things super tight for now.

if you got kids, its a whole other ball game. if you get caught, you may as well piss away 3+ months wages. is it really worth it for what, 4. maybe 8ozs?? thats one way I always look at it.. risk isnt worth the reward. lawyer bill here starts at 5000$ for that stuff.

 

[schuylaar]

Ok, I'm in the Uk, been growing with a 250 light for a few years now, no probs. Until the other day. The meter reader came out again as he

" had been told to come back and check this address again, as the reading is a bit high"

Our bill has been consistant for the last few years, without the hps on we use around £10 a week, with the hps running, and it has been running now for a few years non stop, the bill is around £12.50 a week. It costs 2.5 to run the hps.

Big deal right?

So, I ask myself, WTF? Whats up now after 2 years+ that now an extra 2.50 a week demands a special call out just for me to check my meter.
I agree that is unusual..is your electric "rationed out"?
Could it be that they are working with the police here?
different country so i could not speculate..in the US?..you gotta be kidding we are talking 2.50$, right?
Maybe they can see my light schedule?
possibly, is your room blacked out properly with no light leaks?
Maybe they have seen something with flir or have had a tip off and are just going through a few other motions to get a warrant?
for 250W? that's the top end of a 3 way light bulb in my living room
Something just doesn't seem right about it.
i agree..any smell?
In any event I only had a seedling, so I've got rid and am now in the process of germinating some ghost chillies in my closet instead. Hopefully my instincts are right and they come through my door to find chilli plants..
check, no smell
Think I'm paranoid or do you sense the weirdness of the situation?

if you were stoned when he came around you could be overreacting and have misconstrued the event..if you were completely straight..but then you don't have anything growing..well..yes it's unusual.. they can read meters from their trucks now, at least in the US.

EDIT: Well, geeze mr. po-po the extra 2.50$..perhaps it's because A) we had another baby B) we've had out of town guests C) eat shit and die..none of your business lol for 2.50$

 

[WeedKillsBrainCells]

Dude it's America of course they're gonna be able to do it from their trucks

 

[Winter Woman]

My suggestion is: Take a big step back from the Sativa.

Go with your gut

 

[Winter Woman]

Dude it's America of course they're gonna be able to do it from their trucks

Didn't the OP say he was from the UK