How much electricity usage is too much?

jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
Bookush34 said:
I know of guys in the same place for years pulling. 1000-1500$ a month hydro bills never had a issue.
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yeh, and there's tons that got busted. I think an article i saw said something about 60 warrants served in Ohio based at least partly on light bills. Forget what period of time.
 
HydroDawg421

HydroDawg421

Well-Known Member
jonsnow399 said:
I'm not a programmer but it should be ridiculously easy to write a computer program that picks out accounts that use over x amount of power, and exceeds x amount for lighting, and run a 12 hr schedule. Voila! Probable cause.
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You cannot execute a search in order to establish probable cause. And writing a program that 'picks' out accounts would be a search! SCOTUS has actually ruled on using electricity usage for warrants. Just because you use more electricity than the next guy or on a cycle isn't enough probable cause for a warrant. At least not one that will stand up under scrutiny by a good defense lawyer.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
HydroDawg421 said:
You cannot execute a search in order to establish probable cause. And writing a program that 'picks' out accounts would be a search! SCOTUS has actually ruled on using electricity usage for warrants. Just because you use more electricity than the next guy or on a cycle isn't enough probable cause for a warrant. At least not one that will stand up under scrutiny by a good defense lawyer.
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What if they go ahead and do it anyway? Then its on you to hire a lawyer. They wouldn't have to get a warrant, just start investigating you and see what they can find.
 
HydroDawg421

HydroDawg421

Well-Known Member
jonsnow399 said:
What if they go ahead and do it anyway? Then its on you to hire a lawyer. They wouldn't have to get a warrant, just start investigating you and see what they can find.
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It's not an accurate way to determine who's growing pot. The power company has bigger problems. The cops just don't show up and ask the power company to identify suspect accounts. It doesn't work that way. I'm not sure the power company would cooperate anyways. You guys need to smoke a different strain. You are way too paranoid. You are more likely to get busted because you told someone or you pissed off your GF. I've been in this game a long time and have several friends who've been around doing this for 25+ years. None of us have been busted because of power bills. In fact, that's probably the only way we haven't been busted!

And if you are worried about being investigated or having to hire a lawyer you need a new hobby.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
HydroDawg421 said:
It's not an accurate way to determine who's growing pot. The power company has bigger problems. The cops just don't show up and ask the power company to identify suspect accounts. It doesn't work that way. I'm not sure the power company would cooperate anyways. You guys need to smoke a different strain. You are way too paranoid. You are more likely to get busted because you told someone or you pissed off your GF. I've been in this game a long time and have several friends who've been around doing this for 25+ years. None of us have been busted because of power bills. In fact, that's probably the only way we haven't been busted!
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You're a youngster then, I started growing in the 80's, I've often been told I'm too paranoid,... and then they got busted. Paranoia is your friend. I'm not gonna get busted cuz I told someone, No one knows except the wife.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
HydroDawg421 said:
It's not an accurate way to determine who's growing pot. The power company has bigger problems. The cops just don't show up and ask the power company to identify suspect accounts. It doesn't work that way. I'm not sure the power company would cooperate anyways. You guys need to smoke a different strain. You are way too paranoid. You are more likely to get busted because you told someone or you pissed off your GF. I've been in this game a long time and have several friends who've been around doing this for 25+ years. None of us have been busted because of power bills. In fact, that's probably the only way we haven't been busted!

And if you are worried about being investigated or having to hire a lawyer you need a new hobby.
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This guy got the evidence suppressed (probably after spending a fortune) only to have the state appeal and reinstate the indictment.
 

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JackSkell

Active Member
jonsnow399 said:
This guy got the evidence suppressed (probably after spending a fortune) only to have the state appeal and reinstate the indictment.
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for cases like this its often helpful to have certain things present at your house, for example: i have a large hot tub as well as an enclosed immersion tank and a portable steam room, all these things require fairly hefty electric usage as well as water/plumbing equipment, if a situation arose where my power/water usage were brought into question i could simply use these things as perfectly legit excuses as to why. This is not to say it would ever protect you from a search warrant, but again if it were directly a question regarding power/water usage im fairly certain im covered.
 
Lucky Luke

Lucky Luke

Well-Known Member
I'm not in America but I think allot of it is common sense.

Homes today run allot of power. Under floor heating, heated towel rails, AC, pool and spa pumps, Plasma TV's in every room, Home theatre's, Gym equipment..the list goes on....and on.

If your running lots of lights etc then cut back on the other stuff and pay your bills on time. If you have a smart meter then look into alternative veg light cycles like the gas light routine.
 
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jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
JackSkell said:
for cases like this its often helpful to have certain things present at your house, for example: i have a large hot tub as well as an enclosed immersion tank and a portable steam room, all these things require fairly hefty electric usage as well as water/plumbing equipment, if a situation arose where my power/water usage were brought into question i could simply use these things as perfectly legit excuses as to why. This is not to say it would ever protect you from a search warrant, but again if it were directly a question regarding power/water usage im fairly certain im covered.
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Smart meters know what you're running.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
Lucky Luke said:
I'm not in America but I think allot of it is common sense.

Homes today run allot of power. Under floor heating, heated towel rails, AC, pool and spa pumps, Plasma TV's in every room, Home theatre's, Gym equipment..the list goes on....and on.

If your running lots of lights etc then cut back on the other stuff and pay your bills on time. If you have a smart meter then look into alternative veg light cycles like the gas light routine.
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Being late on your bill won't cause any problems except getting your juice cut off. Smart meters know your running lights.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
Lucky Luke said:
sort of..
https://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/new-smart-meter-can-tell-your-appliances-apart.html
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Not sort of, the local power company send out letters every month telling you how you're doing efficiency wise compared to your neighbors. Last month I got a new letter giving a breakdown of my usage. I can't find the letter now but two of the categories were lighting and electronics. They said my lighting use was 38 percent, right on the money! I hate to think if my bill was twice as high and the percentage was 80 percent!
 
Lucky Luke

Lucky Luke

Well-Known Member
jonsnow399 said:
Not sort of, the local power company send out letters every month telling you how you're doing efficiency wise compared to your neighbors. Last month I got a new letter giving a breakdown of my usage. I can't find the letter now but two of the categories were lighting and electronics. They said my lighting use was 38 percent, right on the money! I hate to think if my bill was twice as high and the percentage was 80 percent!
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But they don't KNOW what your running they use algorithms to guess what your running, unless of cause your lights are all one circuit.
Now that means users can try to fool them. Like running Compressors and other high usage items. By having lights coming on when kettles and hot water heaters and other high usage items are coming on. Staggering times like the gas lantern routine etc.

Basically the computers guess what your using (7 am and their is a spike for 1 min then its going to say its the kettle for eg). So outsmart them.
 
jonsnow399

jonsnow399

Well-Known Member
Lucky Luke said:
But they don't KNOW what your running they use algorithms to guess what your running, unless of cause your lights are all one circuit.
Now that means users can try to fool them. Like running Compressors and other high usage items. By having lights coming on when kettles and hot water heaters and other high usage items are coming on. Staggering times like the gas lantern routine etc.

Basically the computers guess what your using (7 am and their is a spike for 1 min then its going to say its the kettle for eg). So outsmart them.
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The cops and judge aren't going care if the company is using algorithms or not. They'll just issue a warrant.Then its on you to try to get it dismissed in court. Even if you do, that means spending money on lawyers, not to mention they can take your property WITHOUT a conviction.
 
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