Power costs

I'm planning on building or buying a hydro/aero system in the future, going along the same design as the StealthHydro bublponic systems. I was curious to know what kind of power consumption am I looking at? I still live with my parents and would like to start a grow while i'm still living at home, but would also like to know what I should expect cost wise for when i move out! thanks!

You can work out exactly what your power costs will be by multiplying your power use in kilowatt-hours (kWh) by your power company's kWh price.

A 1000w (1kW) light, on 12 hours per day, uses 12 kWh. If your power price is 10 cents per kWh, you'll pay $1.20 for that 12 hours.

I would strongly advise against growing while still living at home. Growing is an adult sport with real legal consequences. No dicking around, you can go to jail for even a little grow- and lose the house to 'proceeds of crime' laws. You should not grow in a house where all residents are not on board nor fully aware of what's going on. Take full responsibility for your grow by growing in a space that belongs only to you. Not fair for innocent others to cop it if you get busted.

Yeah, i'm aware of the laws and consequences. I'm planning on building one for my friend, and I was curious to figure it out for him, because he asked. thanks for the info!

My ethical bullshit to one side, figuring your power cost is very easy.

However, the power use figures printed on most devices are not always exact. If you have a clamp-type AC ammeter it pays to check what the grow is REALLY drawing. (Note for newbs: clamp either around hot or neutral, not both. You may have to split some cable sheathing to get the probe around only one wire.) Actual current draw becomes important in cases where you are drawing near the max current for the circuit.

could any one with experience tell me about hoe much 4 x 400 watt HPS lights might cost to run a month?

it costs me about 90 dollars a month in california per 600W bulb I run, if you're not here, about a third or a fourth of that

thanks that helps me out, I live in oregon

wow 90 a month just for a 600, im in ca also and its 18 cents per kw, of course i have never added that up