OT....Power draw of a home PC ?....OT

[Reg Evans]

Could it be seized if I didn't know about it ?

[Norm's Coupe]

Reg,

Don't know about California law, but around our neck of the woods, it doesn't matter if you knew or not, your property could still be seized for selling or growing drugs on the property. Law says, it's the property owners responsibility to be aware of what his tenants are doing in that respect. So...as Tod mentioned, I'd talk to someone about the possible problem. It could all be innocent and he's growing starter plants for a garden this summer, but then he wouldn't need to block off the windows. The natural light would help his plants grow better.

That said, you ask about how many kwh's others used. I just looked at our last bill and we used 668 kwh's on the last bill. We don't run any electric heaters, or heat with electricity. Our furnace and hot water tank are both natural gas, as is our kitchen stove. The computer is on most of the time from around 7 AM until around 11 or 11:30 at night. Printer stays on 24/7. Other than that, it's just the blower for the furnace, lights, refrigerator, TV for about 4 to 5 hours each day. We also have a 100 watt spot light that stays on all night in the back and a porch light burning at night on the front that has a 40 watt bulb in it. Plus whatever electricity the wife uses with the washer and dryer. Dryer is also natural gas, so the only electricity for it is that which the motor for the drum takes.

Those electric heaters the guy is running is probably what is making his usage so high.

[TodFitch]

Reg' date='

Don't know about California law, but around our neck of the woods, it doesn't matter if you knew or not, your property could still be seized for selling or growing drugs on the property. Law says, it's the property owners responsibility to be aware of what his tenants are doing in that respect. So...as Tod mentioned, I'd talk to someone about the possible problem. It could all be innocent and he's growing starter plants for a garden this summer, but then he wouldn't need to block off the windows. The natural light would help his plants grow better.

That said, you ask about how many kwh's others used. I just looked at our last bill and we used 668 kwh's on the last bill. We don't run any electric heaters, or heat with electricity. Our furnace and hot water tank are both natural gas, as is our kitchen stove. The computer is on most of the time from around 7 AM until around 11 or 11:30 at night. Printer stays on 24/7. Other than that, it's just the blower for the furnace, lights, refrigerator, TV for about 4 to 5 hours each day. We also have a 100 watt spot light that stays on all night in the back and a porch light burning at night on the front that has a 40 watt bulb in it. Plus whatever electricity the wife uses with the washer and dryer. Dryer is also natural gas, so the only electricity for it is that which the motor for the drum takes.

Those electric heaters the guy is running is probably what is making his usage so high.[/quote']

I think it is federal law, not state law. But anyway, seek professional advice. There have been plenty of horror stories in the newspapers. (I am not a lawyer nor have I ever played the part on stage, on TV, in the movies or on the Internet.)

Back to the original question. We have electric cook top (range) and electric oven. Natural gas heating and hot water. Various computers and peripherals including a large "workgroup" type laser printer. The printer stays off most of the time and other than the MacMini "server" the computers are off during non-work hours. We have no AC (one benefit of living in one of the nicest climatic locations in the world). Attached is our electrical use.

PS: Forgot, there is a small window type AC unit that keeps the "server room" cool. So there is some power usage there too.

[Don Coatney]

Reg;

Could be your answer to no new construction jobs, but.................

[Reg Evans]

Hey yeah Don.....either I make a bunch of $$$$ or I go to the big house and the tax payers will take care of my utility bills.

[greg g]

confront and evict, based on unlawful activities of the premesis.

And yes meters can go bad. A chat with you provider about increased useage with big items unplugged should get you a new meter. Just watch that they don't screw you over when the do the switch, make sure they get a final reading and that the new meter is on zero. They shouldn't give you much of an argument. Funny how gas pumps, and scales at stores etc are certified by some weights and measures authority but gas meters and electric meters are certified by the supplier......

[Norm's Coupe]

Of the 2095 kwh's used by both houses the tenant used 880. I have a sub meter on the rental unit so I can bill the tenant. He is a new tenant going on month 2. The previous tenant,my daughter ,was averaging 220 over a 14 month period so I was very surprised to see how much he was using. I questioned him about his high usage and he told me he was running elect. heaters in several rooms trying to save on his propane bill. And another elect. heater in the garage for his two dogs.

Here's the rest of the story. This morning I happened to notice the basement window looked very dark so I went down there for a closer look. The window has black plastic taped over it so I unlocked the door and peered in. Well, I'll be !.... the guy is into agriculture and is running a very large grow light,a fan and a humidifier. Mystery solved !!!! I don't really care what he does at his house but when it costs me extra on my elect. bill he's gonna have to pay for the higher category of kwh's.

Hummmmm....how do I put this to him without becoming an accomplice?

I'm still baffled though why my house used 1200kwh when I've unplugged the hot tub,garage refer,elect clocks,and stopped using the forced air furnace. Last years bill for the same month was only 940 kwh's for both houses and I was using the items I've unplugged this year.

Can a meter go bad and register false readings ?

Reg, if you tell the guy you know about his little basement garden because you saw it, he will know you've been in there when he wasn't home. So........I would just make up some reason that required you to get into the basement. You could use just about any reason, like you want to check out the electrical circuit box to make sure everything is ok in it. Or, some other reason similar to that, that will require your entry into the basement. That way, he can't say you invaded his privacy, because he was there and let you in his self. If the garden is contraband I would notify the authorities immediately after getting back to your house. If he says no to you going into the basement, then you know it's probably contraband and I'd still notify the authorities.

In answer to your question about meters going bad. Yes, they can go bad.

[BobT-47P15]

OK, guys, I saw just today at the local historical museum the kind of

lamps we all need........

[Reg Evans]

confront and evict, based on unlawful activities of the premesis.

And yes meters can go bad. A chat with you provider about increased useage with big items unplugged should get you a new meter. Just watch that they don't screw you over when the do the switch, make sure they get a final reading and that the new meter is on zero. They shouldn't give you much of an argument. Funny how gas pumps, and scales at stores etc are certified by some weights and measures authority but gas meters and electric meters are certified by the supplier......

Greg, A couple of days ago I did ask my power supplier if a meter could be inaccurate and the guy there told me that the meters either work correctly or they don't work at all. Hummmmmm. So I guess I shouldn't just accept that eh?

[Reg Evans]

As a landlord I do have the right to inspect the premises as long as I give 24 hours notice. I think I'll tell him I saw the blacked out windows and I want to have a look tomorrow. The tenants are a nice neat young couple in their early 20's and they have paid their rent on time so far so I'd hate to loose them as tenants. Maybe he has a permit to grow some for medical reasons or maybe like Bill Clinton they don't inhale.

[Norm's Coupe]

Greg, A couple of days ago I did ask my power supplier if a meter could be inaccurate and the guy there told me that the meters either work correctly or they don't work at all. Hummmmmm. So I guess I shouldn't just accept that eh?

They don't necessarily stop working when they go bad. They replaced mine some years ago because it wasn't working properly. Then about 2 years ago my lights kept blinking off and on regularly. I checked everything to the box in the house and found no problem. Called the electric company and complained about the problem. The trouble shooter they sent out couldn't find any problem either. They finally hooked up a computer to my meter for about a week or two to trace the problem. That time it turned out to be a problem with the transformer on the pole. But, the trouble shooter said it could be some problem with the meter. That's why they hooked up the computer to it. So.......keep complaining and they will come out and check it for you.

Of course, they did say if the problem turned out to be in my house, they would charge me for checking everything out.