Many people want to know what the day to day cost of maintaining a small home grow room might be. With the installation of a solar energy system and its energy monitoring web application, I am able to track energy consumption by the hour.

My grow room is a 4x5 converted wine closet. As an aside, it has R30 insulation on all sides except the door. Relevant factors are:

Lights: (1) MarsHydro TSW2000 100% power.
Rh: (2) cool mist Crane Tear drops(1) Keystone Dehumidifier*
Temp: (2) small heaters. (1) Frigidaire air conditioner
Air Circulation: (2) intake and circulation fans/ (1) 6 inch exhaust fan

*Humidifiers or dehumidifiers run depending upon life cycle stage.
**Heaters run for six approximately months and Air conditioner runs for approximately 6 months

Current grow started in cold January 1/14 and will end mild May about 5/15. I generally do 3 grows a year yielding an average of 14 ounces. Not pro level but the 42 ounces a year keep me and close friends happy.

So, what you are all waiting for is the day to day cost of this little operation. My current KWh rate is 10.2 cents or .102. At that rate, and based upon this new window into my energy usage, the energy I am using is about 8.5 cents per hour. Using a 24/7/365 active hour assumption (must have a cover for vacation time) the annual energy cost to grow 42 ounces is about $750. That works out to be about $18 an ounce

Of course the are many other expenses both upfront in getting set up (not being considered here) and others such as nutrients/chemicals, soil, water (I use store purchased distilled water). Considering everything, I estimate a cost of $35 to $40 an ounce.

Definitely worth it!
Grow On!
Jim




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