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I've been reading online about "Smart Meters" (replacing the old standard electric meters) and the more I read the more I'm concerned on several levels. Is anyone reading about this and if so, what are your thoughts? (Please note that I am interested in factual info).
What I have read is they are not good. People are protesting against them in my area. There are health hazards. I don't know the details . . . some kind of radiation, I think.
When I got my notice, I called and said I did not want one installed. The electric company told me that they would put me on the list of people not wanting one, but I may have to have one. Don't know the politics, either.
I personally think it is an appropriate subject for retirees because, as a group, we might not be as up-to-date on these things and it might behoove us to look out for each other . . .
I personally think it is an appropriate subject for retirees because, as a group, we might not be as up-to-date on these things and it might behoove us to look out for each other . . .
Any subject is appropriate to be directed specifically to retirees, imo, for the reason stated above. After all, some retirees may think "H***, at my age I don't care what amount of radiation hits me or what the security issues are," while others who are younger or who are bringing up kids may have an entirely different take.
I'm 65, retired and I LOVE my smart meter. I can now check my energy usage hourly/daily/weekly online (within two days of usage). I can also compare my energy usage to that of others in my neighborhood (to help me figure out how to conserve energy). I've had my smart meter for four months and appreciate it more every day.
Smart meters are NOT health hazards. That rumor was probably started by some company that will lose out, financially, by the introduction of smart meters. There have been a few reports of fires when they were installed incorrectly but they werent the fault of the smart meter.
Edited to add that, although I can check my usage against my neighbors' usage, no one's identity is revealed. I see only a chart showing my collective neighbors' average use.
I personally think it is an appropriate subject for retirees because, as a group, we might not be as up-to-date on these things and it might behoove us to look out for each other . . .
I agree, but if the question of knowledge has any bearing here the Science and Technology forum is where you're going to find the people who can best answer the questions. Trust me, there are some very smart people over there.
Edit: I just started a thread there asking them to come here and help. {tapping foot, waiting}
Every time I hear complaints about Smart Meters I remember all the hysteria, in the early 1990's, about how dangerous Home Computers were for one's health and what an invasion of privacy they were. Many older retirees heard those unfounded rumors and believed them too.
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