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05-10-2011, 08:31 AM
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74 posts, read 76,286 times
Reputation: 72
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I understand there is a growing rebellion across the country concerning the installation of SMART METERS, particularly in California. The first problems customers noted with the installation that their bills started to skyrocket at frightening rates.
Concerns started surfacing concerning health issues as well regarding the cell towers needed for transmission showing up all over California. Many have asked their elected representatives to halt the process until all effects concerning health can be determined. Already it is known that these types of Meter signals could disrupt pacemakers and other medical devices. However they are safe in hospitals where they are required to be turned off
If Smart Meters are planning to be installed in your locality it would be wise to attend meetings that held discussing the installation of these devices. Questions should be asked about the necessity of having these devices, the future cost to customers and any health related issues.
At a time of economic uncertainty the last thing consumers want is a device that increases their utility bills through the roof.
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05-10-2011, 09:32 AM
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Location: Ohio
17,105 posts, read 36,553,850 times
Reputation: 14433
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Smart meters do make some sense. The wholesale cost of electricity varies over the course of a day, sometimes wildly. If you run your AC full blast at the most expensive times, you should pay more. (Currently, the variability in those costs is distributed to ALL customers.) But you should also have the option to have your AC automatically turn off at those times.
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05-10-2011, 10:01 AM
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28,790 posts, read 45,522,155 times
Reputation: 37871
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It would have been nice to explain to those of who don't have them what they are and how they work so we would know what you're complaining about....
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05-10-2011, 11:57 AM
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Location: Texas State Fair
8,563 posts, read 10,802,159 times
Reputation: 4257
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I've had a SmartMeter for well over a year now, I've downloaded and charted my daily usage and it has reminded me to choose a lower rate with my provider, resulting in lower elec bills. Doing so allows me to track my elec bill on a daily (or weekly) basis - kilowatt hours used times contract price per hour.
I'm able to tell when I went to bed and got up (TV, pc off), what part of the day the AC started and even when I ran my clothes dryer. Those being the only spikes I've experienced.
I don't suspect the signal from the SmartMeter to its WiFi connection is much more powerful that Clear's 4G signal that covers the entire city. Or ATT's or Verizon's.
As a side benefit, during the freeze this past winter my state experienced rolling black outs. Not knowing that being in effect, I called the elec company to inquire, pressed the requisite buttons for residence and within a few minutes of the second black out, my electricity was restored and did not go out again that day. Though rolling blackouts did continue elsewhere throughout the city.
I guess that's why they call those meters Smart.
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05-10-2011, 08:29 PM
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15,919 posts, read 19,457,800 times
Reputation: 7680
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I guess smart meters go hand in hand with the people who buy electric cars, save on gas and spend more on electricity....
Smart meters are another scam to fleece more money out of people.
BTW, does anyone see a UL approved tag on this smart meter? Hmmm, a possible fire hazard too......
We can trust things made in China, right?
http://transitionwestmarin.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/emfmay282010-021-copy.jpg (broken link)
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05-10-2011, 08:35 PM
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Location: Texas State Fair
8,563 posts, read 10,802,159 times
Reputation: 4257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plwhit
I guess smart meters go hand in hand with the people who buy electric cars, save on gas and spend more on electricity....
Smart meters are another scam to fleece more money out of people.
BTW, does anyone see a UL approved tag on this smart meter? Hmmm, a possible fire hazard too......
We can trust things made in China for American companies, right?
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How are Smart Meters a scam to fleece more money out of people? I'm paying much less now with my Smart Meter.
It doesn't show a UL sticker but does have a GE logo. Isn't GE the way to go? Obama's buddy, Jeff Immelt. Obama gave GE lots of money since they posted a profit and didn't have to pay taxes. |
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05-11-2011, 01:44 AM
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15,919 posts, read 19,457,800 times
Reputation: 7680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tofurkey
It doesn't show a UL sticker but does have a GE logo. Isn't GE the way to go? Obama's buddy, Jeff Immelt. Obama gave GE lots of money since they posted a profit and didn't have to pay taxes.
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Without the UL certification who knows how safe these things are...
I've also read numerous complaints where the people say their electric bills increased after their smart meter was installed. |
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05-11-2011, 03:52 AM
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41,817 posts, read 48,567,773 times
Reputation: 17828
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tofurkey
How are Smart Meters a scam to fleece more money out of people? I'm paying much less now with my Smart Meter.
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Depends on how you much you change your usage, if you can change your usage and how they implement it....
The local power company here is offering these meters on a voluntary basis, they charge more during peak than standard rate and less during off peak. If the off peak suits your lifestyle and that's when your home you could save a bundle. On other hand if you're working from home then not so much if anything. You could actually be penalizing the people saving the most energy. |
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05-11-2011, 11:18 AM
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881 posts, read 1,752,920 times
Reputation: 1224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plwhit
Without the UL certification who knows how safe these things are...
I've also read numerous complaints where the people say their electric bills increased after their smart meter was installed.
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The meters are manufactured by the same companies that manufacture the "old style" meters. What actually measure your usage is not new. What is new (and the "SMART" part) is how your usage is being collected and relayed back to the utility company, and what they do with that information. Instead of having someone go out and read the meters, SMART METER does it through wifi, with networking technology (in the picture above) developed by a California company.
The numerous complaints with increase bills, are due mostly to replacement of old & inaccurate meters. New meters = more accurate. |
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05-11-2011, 12:01 PM
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Location: Texas State Fair
8,563 posts, read 10,802,159 times
Reputation: 4257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecoalman
Depends on how you much you change your usage, if you can change your usage and how they implement it....
The local power company here is offering these meters on a voluntary basis, they charge more during peak than standard rate and less during off peak. If the off peak suits your lifestyle and that's when your home you could save a bundle. On other hand if you're working from home then not so much if anything. You could actually be penalizing the people saving the most energy.
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The rate for my usage remains constant per kilowatt hour until I hit 1000 kwh, then the rate drops a penny or so.
No peak penalties but I'm paying TXU directly, not a third party billing company. And there was no spike or irregularity when the meter switch was made. |
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