Smart Meters...

Anak · 20 Feb 2017

I wanted to post this for better response, it is a new thread I started over on SevenForums:

Anak said:

Has anyone had experience with these new smart meters that the electric companies are so desperately wanting to install, my replacement is supposed to happen in the next month or so.

I'm interested in either personal experience from having yours changed or maybe a family, friends, or neighbor.

My supplier is PPL and their contractor already has one strike against them. I was scheduled for a swap between the hours of 8am to Noon today and I received a call at 12:10pm from customer service letting me know that unfortunately the mechanic received my schedule a little too late but was available if I was.
I told the lady that no I was not, I scheduled my time to convenience them and I had errands and chores to do so no, just put me on the regular schedule when they are in the area, but, make sure you or the mechanic calls and knocks on my door before s/he does anything!! As I have equipment that I want to shutdown before s/he gets started.

If you haven't already seen the experiences of customers they run the gamut of increasing power billings to incidents of fires and not just at the meter base, some involve the owners home. I will say that it seems? these incidents have lessened since the smart meters introduction here in the States back around 2005.

One item that really burns me is, even though the meter is the suppliers responsibility we have to pay for it, (about $300. USD).

Google Searches:
Problems with Smart Meters in PA
Can I opt-out of Smart Meters in PA

btw: Some of you will see this post over on TenForums for increased visibility.

Joan Archer · 20 Feb 2017

They are being installed over here gradually. I can't have one fitted as I'm on a key meter for my electricity and I like it that way, at least I pay as I go so don't get a big bill every few months. I've not heard anything bad about them, I think my daughter is having one fitted, or she might have had it done by now not sure.

Lee · 20 Feb 2017

They installed one here this past Summer, and must say it has not caused any problems.

f14tomcat · 20 Feb 2017

Had ours installed over 4 years ago. No issues. No more Meter Man. All done RF. The turn on/off of your A/C in the summer is optional, that's a different and separate plan, at least here.

Digital Life · 20 Feb 2017

I answered your post on SevenForums

I live in Ontario Canada and we did not have to pay for them.

As far as I know they do not save people or the utility money, quite the opposite really.

I honestly believe that there are some serious kickbacks going to somebody somewhere for all these units.

Also if you pay for it does that mean you can take it with you if you move. LOL

Anak · 21 Feb 2017

Thanks everyone, I hope when ours is installed it doesn't cause problems. My biggest concern is it's an old meter base and I hope it's not rusty or corroded at the contacts.

tomcat: I haven't had a meter man for 25years when ppl installed a semi-smart meter, it's already capable of sending the usage back through the power lines. Curious, what type of plan do yours have that you need to let the power co. know that your using your a/c? Up here its whatever your monthly usage is.

sml156: Thanks, yea, just follow the money. I'd like to see me get away with taking the meter! ...

f14tomcat · 21 Feb 2017

Anak said:

Thanks everyone, I hope when ours is installed it doesn't cause problems. My biggest concern is it's an old meter base and I hope it's not rusty or corroded at the contacts.

tomcat: I haven't had a meter man for 25years when ppl installed a semi-smart meter, it's already capable of sending the usage back through the power lines. Curious, what type of plan do yours have that you need to let the power co. know that your using your a/c? Up here its whatever your monthly usage is.

sml156: Thanks, yea, just follow the money. I'd like to see me get away with taking the meter! ...

It's an optional plan you can sign-up for. During the summer when it's predicted the temps will go way up, say mid to upper 90's, you can allow the utility co. to throttle back the AC during the hottest part of the day. For instance, if you keep the thermostat set on 72°, and allow them to shutoff the AC, it might get up to low-mid 80's in the house. They turn it back on at at time to allow the temp to go back down. Nothing to do with the humidity, cause the house is closed up. Nothing to do with any setback thermostat settings you may have. They put a device on the compressor circuit in the outside unit to toggle it off/on. They give you a credit on your bill for participating, in addition to the savings. All that works ok if you're away at work, but not so great if you're home all day.....retired, like me. So, it's not for everybody.

Anak · 21 Feb 2017

Thanks Dick, I'll have to see if ppl has something like that.
It sounds like its more for a whole house unit that sits outside or can it be used on window units like mine? I do have two semi-smart ones that run every ten minutes for 30seconds to check the ambient reading but doesn't kick on unless it is higher than what I set.

Anak · 10 May 2017

The installer came yesterday and swapped out the meters and the base looked okay, i.e. no corrosion at the contacts. It was pretty slick, he had jumpers so no power was lost and I had free power for about 30seconds while he switched the meters....