Power use and heat.

[Zero Hero]

How many light can you get away with without a big increase of a power bill which would make my place suspect?

Also, can I get tips on getting rid of heat as Australia gets rather warm.


cheers

[c-ray]

when you get a power bill is there a history of previous usage?
if you are in a house 4-5 kw would be no problem, or half that if you are in a condo or apartment

look into chillers and air cooled reflectors for heat reduction, mount your ballasts outside of the grow room, etc.

[The Cannarchist]

You must have a hefty bill using Aircon to keep your house cool......just divert A/c Into grow room

[Zero Hero]

when you get a power bill is there a history of previous usage?
if you are in a house 4-5 kw would be no problem, or half that if you are in a condo or apartment

look into chillers and air cooled reflectors for heat reduction, mount your ballasts outside of the grow room, etc.


4-5 kw, would that be say 3 600W HPS lights and the pump florecents etc all the things that I'll be using??

Sorry I didn't really understand what that means.

I'll mount my ballasts outside the room, cheers.

[Lungus]

I think he's saying you could run 4 or 5 1000W bulbs and the peripherals that come with them. Three 600's is only 1800W and fans and pumps don't take all that much juice.

[TheUnknownGrower]

Use reflectors that have exhaust and a small fan, less heat build-up requires less cooling.

peace - Tug

[Bree]

1KW per bedroom. That is what they say. Makes sense to me. Also convert all your lights in the house to those new coiled floros cut some TV off, shut down puters at night, keep unused lights off. VCRs and other systems like stereos pull 75% as much juice just sitting there as when in use so unplug them.

You can off set much of the electricity you use if you just look around and become conscientious. There is a plug in device that will tell you how much energy you are using per whats plugged into it. Might invest in one. I think its called see a watt or something. You would be surprised at how much you can save by simple things. Utilize the heat to warm house at night if in a climate that will allow. Anyway that is some thoughts.


Peace

[Zero Hero]

Use reflectors that have exhaust and a small fan, less heat build-up requires less cooling.

peace - Tug


Thanks for the replies.

What brands or models are good?

[Lungus]

I use X-tra Air by Optimum Hydroponics. It's got 8" inlet and outlet openings for ducting so you can move a lot of air through it if you need to keep your room cool. It also makes it easier to run more lights inline on the same duct and still have effective cooling rather than having to individually duct each light.