Increase in power...commercially zoned building. Suspicious?

Hi everyone,

I have the opportunity to rent a 300 sq. feet space that I'd like to use to grow. The space is in a commercial use building with multiple levels, thick concrete floors and walls..it's more of a warehouse/creative use building than an office building. There is no one there from 7PM-7AM so it'd be safe to run fans and stuff during the night.

I was wondering if the numbers are much different, and if so what they are for commercially zoned buildings concerning suspicious electricity use. Like, if you can get away with using more power and noticeable power usage increases compared to a residential area.

I am going to start with one 1000w HPS grow in the room (it's all I've got right now), and would like to expanded in a few months to a 3000w grow and cap it there because I'm paranoid. Will that increase of 2000w raise suspicions at the electricity company, or is there a chance since it's a commercial building they might think a small business is simply expanding from one server to three servers or something like that? Should I even be worrying about 3000w to begin with?

Any guidance would be immensely appreciated.

i would think growing in such a populated area would be a terrible idea. i dunno. but im sure that the rise in electricity wwould not spark any interest.

The electric company has no idea what you are doing with the space and does not care as long as you pay your bill.

really?

http://www.thelegalizationofmarijuana.com/2008/12/17/could-your-electric-bill-trigger-a-marijuana-swat-raid/

i've been told by more than one person that unusual electricity usage is one of the most common ways to get busted. obviously you disagree..i'd like to hear your side of it.

1000 even 2000watts wouldn't raise your bill enough to be suspicous anyways, its not like your going to get a $10 000 elec. bill every month, more like $200-$300 at most.

Two electric heaters equal 3000 watts. You won't need them when the lights are on. I hope your getting a real good deal on this office space.

That's really if you're using many lights, I really can't see 3 1000W lights giving you too many problems in terms of electricity use. I also don't see them investigating power usage at such a location as the one you described, that kind of raid would be directed more at a residence. Personally I think it's a bit risky to have them growing anywhere where you can't be sure of air circulation. That would be, in my opinion, the biggest risk. The smell from growing all that weed is going to be powerful no matter what strain you choose, and if the place you have rented shares a circulation system into other people's spaces that's going to be a HUGE factor to look after. Then where are you going to route the air in and out... you need to be able to get that air out and away from the building. If you're going to do this I would suggest starting small with the 1000 and see if you can keep the smell out.

Get a five ton truck with the box on the back. They make great grow-ops and they can be moved in a hurry if you need to. Unlike renting you can sell it and get your money back. A 240vac dryer outlet will run your 3000w op, moms and all.

Heaters? wtf?....I would be way more worried about odor, and people snooping around and what not. Plus you will have to get all your gear in there then get the herb out some how. Sounds super risky Voyager....be careful!

palerider said:

Heaters? wtf?....I would be way more worried about odor, and people snooping around and what not. Plus you will have to get all your gear in there then get the herb out some how. Sounds super risky Voyager....be careful!

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I'm with you on that one... I don't think the power is going to be your main concern. The smell of even a single plant could stink out an entire office.

a commerical space with a 50000 dollar bill would not be looked at twice and just do it legal wtf if your not legal get legal non legal states have the worst penalties dont they, oh by the way most commercial space pay triple or more per kilawatt hour making it a deal killer prally.

and to include befor i was i small time grower i raised fish for a few years and used 3 times more power with them as i do with my 8000w of light and fans and ac and act, i now pay 240 amonth for veg and 370 for flower it goes up depending on weather but never less, for teh fish it was and consistant 500. and times when my house is on break it runs at 60 dollars and not a single inquiry and this all started 10 yrs ago and there has beens several periods of month with 60 dollar bills and then 4 month of big bills so there my story

Don't worry 3,000 watts is nothing for a business. Just pay on time in full and you will be fine.