Does anybody know where to purchase, rent, or get any info concerning "smart power meters"? This meter tells the cost of the power as you are using it.I read an article in the New York Times that is very informative concerning the cost of electricity. It seems that the rate we pay is constantly changeing according tp peak and non-peak usage and by planning your heavy use appliances to be used at non peak hours it is possible to cut your bill by a considerable amount.I cant seem to find a supplier of these meters. Any information would offered would be sincerely appreciated.
2007-01-13 11:12:20 · 5 answers · asked by dreaminncalifornia 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This actually requires two answers. The meter that is variable as to peak loads is a demand meter. It is only found in commercial applications. The meter is designed to measure large demands of power, like when machinery starts up so that they can charge more to heavy users. To see if you have one go out and look at the front of your meter, there will be a knob on the front glass with a seal on it. This is reset every month and a different color seal put on. If you don't have that type, get your power bill and see how much you pay per kilowatt. You can figure your costs yourself.
If you do decide to get a programmable meter, understand this, it will tell you in dollars how much power you have used at any given time...but... They cost about a thousand dollars, they must be put in as a sub meter {after the utility meter} and will require an electrical contractor. Very expensive, considering you can do the math yourself for free.
2007-01-13 11:42:49 · answer #1 · answered by bearcat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the US, it's unusual but not entirely unheard of. Typically, it's a case where, sometime in the home's past, the separate service was paid for by another party. For example, if someone had a home office and wanted to have a separate billing for just that portion of their electric bill. Perhaps, at some point in time, a room was rented out to a non-family member. Since there's such a drastic difference between the two bills, I'd suspect that may be the case. Another possibility may be that the original service capacity wasn't sufficient and that adding a second service was cheaper than upgrading the original service. Yet another possibility is the the home was expanded and the second service only provides electricity to the addition.
2016-05-23 22:17:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
very hard to find, for sure. In fact, i will just bet the utilities are doing everything they can to keep them unavailable. Why? dollars in their pockets. dumb really, but that is the way they think. hell they should supply them. if they are going to charge different rates for off peak use, they should let you know when that is...if not, why bother to change the rates to encourage off peak use? I'll wager if you holler loud enough and long enough the utility itself can find you one. They meant them for commercial users, but as you state, anyone could benefit.
2007-01-13 11:23:30 · answer #3 · answered by tootall1121 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The units are supplied & installed by the power company. Contact yours to see if they offer them, not all do.
2007-01-13 11:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by audioworm31 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your electric company. Not many companies are doing this yet, but it will catch on...
2007-01-13 11:20:11 · answer #5 · answered by davidinark 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋