[Croce]

Just received a notice today that NV Energy is going to install a smart meter on my house next week. I have heard that everyone who gets a smart meter also ends up with higher electric bills. Does anyone in Las Vegas have any experience with these yet?

My research indicates that the old mechanical meters traditionally run slower the older they are, so when a smart meter replaces it, your bill will be instantly higher. Another reason for higher bills, is that the smart meter is much more precise than the older mechanical meter. The regulations concerning the accuracy of meters has not kept up with the technology. So if the regulation permits a plus/minus 3% variation in the mechanical meter, the electric company can set the smart meters to +2.9%. Therefore, if your old mechanical meter was running behind by say 5% because of its age and your new meter is theoretically set for +2.9% - your bill could instantly increase by around 8% per month.

Don't know if any of this is true - Can anyone shed a light on these meters? Thanks.

[PinkString]

I had heard that those who use lots of energy during the peak hours will have higher bills with the smart meters and those who conserve like crazy will actually have lower bills. I sure hope that is right. We are misers and suffer terribly at times, especially the summer just to have a lower bill..and still, since they keep raising rates, we can ever get a decent bill.
If the smart meters make the bill way too high, we won't be able to pay it so I hope they are better not worse. Might be time to be moving on out if it gets worse.

[macgeek]

If it's a Smart meter, would you be able to log into it and track your OWN energy usage?
if so it can be a great tool in saving you money.

or is it a 'smart' meter like our government is 'smart'

Jonathan

[clutchcargo777]

Can anyone name any new technology forced on us by the gov't that has made things better (for us I mean)

[gvc8]

on their own, smart meter should not cause your electric bill to go up. but what will make it go up is when NVenergy gets approval to charge a tiered rate structure based on time of day electrical usage. that probably wont happen until every last house gets their spy meter installed and the company petitions their paid for utility commission to approve.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by clutchcargo777

Can anyone name any new technology forced on us by the gov't that has made things better (for us I mean)

First of all, how is the government forcing this on us? Ironically, it sounds like people want the government to prevent the installation and the government has refused to do so. (Just another example of people wanting less government intervention except when it pertains to something they care about.)

But to answer your question, how about airbags in cars? Or even seat & shoulder belts for that matter.

[macgeek]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

But to answer your question, how about airbags in cars? Or even seat & shoulder belts for that matter.

As long as they don't charge us more to drive during rush hour (aka peak periods) I'm all for them!



Jonathan

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by macgeek

As long as they don't charge us more to drive during rush hour (aka peak periods) I'm all for them!

Don't laugh. That's exactly what's going on right now in Maryland. The state is currently building a toll road and the fee you pay will vary based on the time of day and how congested the traffic is.

ICC Toll Rates

Virginia is also doing the same thing by adding HOT lanes to the Washington Beltway.

Virginia HOT Lanes

[clutchcargo777]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

First of all, how is the government forcing this on us? Ironically, it sounds like people want the government to prevent the installation and the government has refused to do so. (Just another example of people wanting less government intervention except when it pertains to something they care about.)

But to answer your question, how about airbags in cars? Or even seat & shoulder belts for that matter.

The last time I checked the Nevada PUC ends in .gov

Whether directly or indirectly, through later allowing NVEnergy to raise
rates to pay for this wonderful new tech, the PUC has given a nod to
this. The spin is this will give the consumer better control over their energy use. I'm sure this IS about control, but do you really think it will be handed over to us?

As far as airbags and seat/shoulder belts are concerned, they were hardly "new tech" when the Federal Government demanded we use them. What was fairly new was their withholding federal funds (our money to begin with) if we didn't comply.

Sorry if I sound cynical, but I don't see the smart meters helping consumers one bit.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by clutchcargo777

The last time I checked the Nevada PUC ends in .gov

And your point is what exactly? The PUC isn't mandating the installation of the meters; they are just not prohibiting them.

Your argument makes no sense whatsoever. As I said previously, it is always the people who rail against big government who then turn around and complain when the laissez faire policies they asked for end up allowing private businesses to enact procedures that they don't like. Then they complain about government not taking action to restrict the private entity.