Is a high power bill enough reason for cop or Elec Co. visit?

[aussie1]

Hey to all

I have average power bill of $1000 per 3 months. My other half is in continual

stress mode about it being high, especially when she goes to aust post to pay

it and the knob behind the counter feels compel to comment on how high it is.

Alot of it is air con as I live SE queensland- hot- humid- tropical.

 

I have just read this:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-repli...cfm/535127.html

 

it is the post from WebbieGareth that concerns me. He says the cops use the electric

bill as a way to find hidden crops. I would have thought this was a violation of civil

liberties but what do I know, it migtht just be wishful thinking.

 

Besides, i'm pretty sure i have seen stories on a current affair where single mothers are on

there bitchin' about there $1600 power bills, complimets of the 100 inch LCD tv?

 

Anyone got some input, as I may have to strangle the missus, not the plants, and I now know

power inverters are not a reality so i have not many options.

 

Thanks to all

aussie

[Innocent criminal]

This has been a hot topic of late (I think the 20% price hike might have something to do with the extra angst).

 

a quick search is all that is required to find the answer 10 times over

[smokinjoe]

AC sucks the juice as do many othere devices.

 

Tell the missus to tell the post office worker that her husband is a bloody car nut and all his stupid machinery is costing us a fortune. Do it in a high pitch shrill followed by don't get me started.

[thc24]

Id worry about the meter reader and visits from the boys in blue while meter is reading very fast. I now dont have lights on during the day at my contact address unless 100% needed.

 

My mate is a meter reader just started, they are not obligated to dob you in (in his training) but know whats going on. I had a the power company call me and ask if id like a free check to see where my power was going. I had to think fast.

 

" we have 4 tvs, Air con, 2x pc, and a leaking deep freezer in the shed"

 

"Oh that will be it would you like the test"

 

"No thanks"

 

just pay the bill dont have outstanding amounts even if only a few dollars, this is when you get the call.

[BaronS]

my power bill, without aircon, is $650/qtr.

 

Several PC's attached to a 1500VA UPS and running 24*7.

The world's largest (when it was purchased ~5yrs ago) 'consumer' LCD screen. EDIT attached to a kick arse stereo system.

and as close as I can figure ~$230/qtr for electricity, including recent improvement to ventilation, for my small cupboard.

 

_MANY YEARS AGO_ a friend who works for the electricity provider told me 'hiding' electricity use is impossible. The heavily inductive load of HID lights _cannot be hidden_, and the particular usage pattern (normally 18/6 and 12/12) is easy to spot. If called to do so a technician from the electricity provider can locate 'grows' by testing the phase difference of drawn power from the 'grid' (requires climbing poles or opening holes) in minutes. It is not, normally, the electricity provider's responsibility to do so.

Edited November 19, 2009 by BaronS

[k1net1k]

If it helps say you have PC's, welders, lizard cages, plasma tv's, 3 aircons.

[brick]

AC sucks the juice as do many othere devices.

 

Tell the missus to tell the post office worker that her husband is a bloody car nut and all his stupid machinery is costing us a fortune. Do it in a high pitch shrill followed by don't get me started.

 

Disagree smokin.

Tell your missus to tell the po worker to mind his own fucking business. My power bill increased by $100 every 1/4 with no extra electricity being used.