Smart meters a concern??

[Cubes15128]

Hello all! I was just browsing the web and came across some old threads about grows being busted because of smart meters(mostly in the U.K.) the newest stuff I could find on it was like 2014 or so. I was wondering what everyone thought or knows about em now! Can they really tell what kind of bulbs and fans etc you are using and if you have stuff setup on timers?? Can they tip off authorities with that info without a warrant, if they suspect??Mostly looking for info in the US tho lol

 

[neckpod]

Hello all! I was just browsing the web and came across some old threads about grows being busted because of smart meters(mostly in the U.K.) the newest stuff I could find on it was like 2014 or so. I was wondering what everyone thought or knows about em now! Can they really tell what kind of bulbs and fans etc you are using and if you have stuff setup on timers?? Can they tip off authorities with that info without a warrant, if they suspect??Mostly looking for info in the US tho lol

Hi been on a smart meter here in the UK for some time now and when i started growing again in feb this year (after a few years off) my electric usage went up dramatically, I run 2 x 600w, 300w chiller, 2 x extraction fans and one massive circulation fan.
About a month into growing the electric company called at my home asking to check my meter??? i said i thought that was the idea of the smart meter that you dont have to read it? i think the increased usage when coming out of winter (bills should of been going down not up) got red flagged on there system so they visited to see if the meter was working correctly imo.
they haven't been back and i am now just finishing my second grow this year.

I wouldn't be concerned with timers to much just run your lights when you would usually be home using electric, I flower 12/12 from 7am to 7pm so i dont use lots of electric over night if its just a 600w light or 2 i would not be concerned. IMO The main thing the electric company's want to know is that your paying your bill and not stealing it. anyway maybe someone from the US can shed some more light on things over the other side of the pond

 

[Keith Stoner]

I'm in the USA and smart meters aren't really a thing here. I have a app from my power company that tracks my kWh and shows when I'm using power and how much, but theirs no way the can track what you're using. But #neckpod, is right about making sure you're using power during the day, because it does look less suspicious.

 

[Creature1969]

They ARE a thing in the US. Had them here for almost 2 years now. All they do is send an RF signal so no one has to physically see the meter. They just drive by and get the reading.

We got a visit from the utility co complete with police escort shortly after moving here because our usage is "4x the average household". Pointed out 3 adults, 1 child, 4 computers(2 of which draw more power than a grow room when gaming), 2 refrigerators, 2 huge tv's, xboxes, Hot water, laundry(remember the child), 3 window AC's, etc.
They never went further than the living room and haven't been back.

All they can tell is how much power your pulling and when. They have no idea what's using it.

I obviously have no way to know for sure, but I'm willing to bet anyone busted growing in the US due to electricity use, was likely already suspect and the cops went to the utility company for further evidence and an excuse. OR, it was a HUGE operation, or, they derped out when questioned about their usage.

Honestly, unless you're running a few 1k lights, I'd worry more about people seeing you carry supplies and what goes in your garbage than how much power you draw.

 

[Cubes15128]

Good info guys, thanks! Makes me feel a bit better lol I was just reading on it and they say there's meters out there that can do all that fancy stuff. My elec bill used to be pretty high when I had a couple roommates so I'm not too worried now, I'll probably have 6-800 watts worth of cob lights going so that shouldn't be a problem. My grow shouldn't go much over 1k watts if at all. What do you guys usually pay for running your equipment every month?

 

[Creature1969]

We guesstimate the closet with 330w COBs, 8" exhaust, 2@ 10" fans and a humi/dehumi running 24/7 to be around $25-30. Hard to be sure as our elec bill averages 300+. Usually closer to 400.

My PC and 34" monitor probably use more power than my closet does.

 

[Cubes15128]

We guesstimate the closet with 330w COBs, 8" exhaust, 2@ 10" fans and a humi/dehumi running 24/7 to be around $25-30. Hard to be sure as our elec bill averages 300+. Usually closer to 400.

My PC and 34" monitor probably use more power than my closet does.

Damn that's it? lol I guess my central air is a f***** hog then. I'm only running 180w of led a few small fans and a couple air pumps and my bill is around 150 a month lol also I'm gone for 12-14hrs a day. Idk what else would make it 150 a month being gone most of the days

How much weight do you usually pull with 330w of cobs?

 

[chemphlegm]

DTE knows exactly what is using the power with a smart meter. Each usage has an algorithm that is unique to that product.
they may be able to know what brand you are using if that algo has been identified and categorized. All this info is useful for marketing not arrests. I am the highest consumer on my "block" full of active farms. My meter reader saw my plants in my hand, in my yard. I have two meters, one commercial on the grow and one for my home, both buildings 100% electric.

when my meter came I received a call from a really cool rep. She talked me into changing the shift my girls work to save big bucks. she negotiated even and I instantly save near 40% I think compared to before by changing the shift. she said girls, not me !
My app tells me when the ac unit comes on, dte knows its an ac unit. It tells me when the controller turns on lights, dte knows those are 1k ballasts operating 1k lights on a fixed timer.
FTW! they love me more than my neighborhood farmers I think. they stopped visiting every month too and I have more cash in my pocket. I love DTE !

 

[Cubes15128]

DTE knows exactly what is using the power with a smart meter. Each usage has an algorithm that is unique to that product.
they may be able to know what brand you are using if that algo has been identified and categorized. All this info is useful for marketing not arrests. I am the highest consumer on my "block" full of active farms. My meter reader saw my plants in my hand, in my yard. I have two meters, one commercial on the grow and one for my home, both buildings 100% electric.

when my meter came I received a call from a really cool rep. She talked me into changing the shift my girls work to save big bucks. she negotiated even and I instantly save near 40% I think compared to before by changing the shift. she said girls, not me !
My app tells me when the ac unit comes on, dte knows its an ac unit. It tells me when the controller turns on lights, dte knows those are 1k ballasts operating 1k lights on a fixed timer.
FTW! they love me more than my neighborhood farmers I think. they stopped visiting every month too and I have more cash in my pocket. I love DTE !

Lol sounds like a legal state xD I hear of people with pretty big grows here using hps without problems, so I don't think the meters here are that "smart". Yet. Lol who knows. I'm in a pretty big city

 

[chemphlegm]

pretty sure the electric companies didnt install them in order to find out who their big customers are just to shut them down by reporting them to the police....nah. pigs need a warrant to see that info, come in your home etc. aint happening. look it up. those busted by their power usage are stealing power reports say.

 

[thumper60]

They ARE a thing in the US. Had them here for almost 2 years now. All they do is send an RF signal so no one has to physically see the meter. They just drive by and get the reading.

We got a visit from the utility co complete with police escort shortly after moving here because our usage is "4x the average household". Pointed out 3 adults, 1 child, 4 computers(2 of which draw more power than a grow room when gaming), 2 refrigerators, 2 huge tv's, xboxes, Hot water, laundry(remember the child), 3 window AC's, etc.
They never went further than the living room and haven't been back.

All they can tell is how much power your pulling and when. They have no idea what's using it.

I obviously have no way to know for sure, but I'm willing to bet anyone busted growing in the US due to electricity use, was likely already suspect and the cops went to the utility company for further evidence and an excuse. OR, it was a HUGE operation, or, they derped out when questioned about their usage.

Honestly, unless you're running a few 1k lights, I'd worry more about people seeing you carry supplies and what goes in your garbage than how much power you draw.

wow they don't drive buy to get reading what the fuck u talking about,it is sent straight to hq they cannot tell what is being used only amount ,an u let them into ya home without warrant what the fuck I agree on the rest

 

[thumper60]

They ARE a thing in the US. Had them here for almost 2 years now. All they do is send an RF signal so no one has to physically see the meter. They just drive by and get the reading.

We got a visit from the utility co complete with police escort shortly after moving here because our usage is "4x the average household". Pointed out 3 adults, 1 child, 4 computers(2 of which draw more power than a grow room when gaming), 2 refrigerators, 2 huge tv's, xboxes, Hot water, laundry(remember the child), 3 window AC's, etc.
They never went further than the living room and haven't been back.

All they can tell is how much power your pulling and when. They have no idea what's using it.

I obviously have no way to know for sure, but I'm willing to bet anyone busted growing in the US due to electricity use, was likely already suspect and the cops went to the utility company for further evidence and an excuse. OR, it was a HUGE operation, or, they derped out when questioned about their usage.

Honestly, unless you're running a few 1k lights, I'd worry more about people seeing you carry supplies and what goes in your garbage than how much power you draw.

wow they don't drive buy to get reading what the fuck u talking about,it is sent straight to hq they cannot tell what is being used only amount ,an u let them into ya home without warrant what the fuck I agree on the rest,been on smart meter 5 yrs now running hids my bill has only gone down

 

[whitebb2727]

wow they don't drive buy to get reading what the fuck u talking about,it is sent straight to hq they cannot tell what is being used only amount ,an u let them into ya home without warrant what the fuck I agree on the rest

Some do drive by. Depends on what type meter. Most can read from hq but some still need someone to drive by.

The gas company went to a new meter here that allows them to drive by. I know that's different than electric. Just thought I would mention it.


A smart meter can't tell exactly what is running. All it knows us when it comes on, how much it pulls and maybe the hrtz.

 

[chemphlegm]

Some do drive by. Depends on what type meter. Most can read from hq but some still need someone to drive by.

The gas company went to a new meter here that allows them to drive by. I know that's different than electric. Just thought I would mention it.


A smart meter can't tell exactly what is running. All it knows us when it comes on, how much it pulls and maybe the hrtz.

not true. algorithms my man. each appliance has its own signature. they can tell when my fridge is running inefficiently with my smart meter. call your rep, get a really big brother lesson, I did.its not like someone sits around and discovers this info, its all packed digitally.

 

[Lordhooha]

not true. algorithms my man. each appliance has its own signature. they can tell when my fridge is running inefficiently with my smart meter. call your rep, get a really big brother lesson, I did.its not like someone sits around and discovers this info, its all packed digitally.

Too true I'm a network engineer and can say this is a true statement. I've seen the stuff running on servers, however generally they don't care.

 

[chemphlegm]

Too true I'm a network engineer and can say this is a true statement. I've seen the stuff running on servers, however generally they don't care.

seems sometimes shits stuck in the 70's around here. paranoia, tech, ..time trawling myth propagation...

 

[Lordhooha]

seems sometimes shits stuck in the 70's around here. paranoia, tech, ..time trawling myth propagation...

Yah I'm all for tech obviously.i get all the newest crap unfortunately folks don't want to believe the more tech you get the more of your private life you give up.

 

[whitebb2727]

not true. algorithms my man. each appliance has its own signature. they can tell when my fridge is running inefficiently with my smart meter. call your rep, get a really big brother lesson, I did.its not like someone sits around and discovers this info, its all packed digitally.

Explain it then. I mean really explain it.

I got an associates in electronics and I'm trying to wrap my head around what your saying. I just don't see it.

You use the word algorithm. Ok. So explain what inputs they use.

 

[whitebb2727]

From what I've been reading over the last hour or so is that certain meters can. Only certain ones and the only place its being use is in pilot testing programs in the UK.


Now. Please provide a link of it actually being used currently in the US.

 

[Cx2H]

Easy.
Gaming PC has 1kw-1.5kw. more if you have multiples set up for LAN.

New oven is 1.2-3.0 kW depending on model.

New freezer is 1.5 kW

I would not worry about kW, I'd worry about EFI/RFI. That's the nail in the coffin.