Smart Meters: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Twenty years ago I moved into my home. It was summertime and really hot outside. I was vacuuming upstairs in the bonus room, the room that was soon to become an upstairs family room. I started feeling really hot. Sweating hot. I stopped vacuuming, walked down the hall to the thermostat and pushed it down to turn on the air. The air wouldn't come on. Eventually, after about 15 minutes the air came on, but a short while later it went off again. Ummm.

After a little investigation I discovered the electric company for my area had installed a device on my two AC units during the time the previous owners had lived here. The device allowed the electric company to control the air conditioning units, turning them on and off during "peak usage time" or whenever they liked. In other words, when it was the hottest outside and I really needed my AC, it was being turned off by someone else. I couldn't control the climate in my own home.

To say I was upset is an understatement. I insisted they be removed and within a few days they were.

During that time I called the heating and air company who maintained and serviced my systems and they told me those devices were terrible for your system. They told me they actually shortened the life of your AC units because one of the hardest times for a system is when it first starts up...when it cranks up the compressor. So turning them on and off was very bad for the units.

I definitely didn't need anyone telling me when and how much to use my AC. I've always been conservative with utilities. The way I look at it, the more I spend on water, heating and air, electricity, etc... the less I have to buy dishes. Or, chocolate. ;) I'd much rather spend my hard earned money on fun stuff than un-fun stuff.

Here's some proof to back up those words...my electric (cooling) bill during the hottest months in this area. These bills are for a 3 story, 5 bedroom home. In Georgia. In July and August. Fortunately, the AC almost never runs downstairs due to the basement underneath and the porch on the back of the house which blocks out the hottest sun during the day.







In case you're wondering how I keep my electric bill (AC bill) so low, I run fans to keep the air moving and I keep my thermostat up around 78-79. I sleep under a fan at night. I'm very cold natured so I actually love the heat.

I wear shorts and short sleeve shirts around the house. If I start vacuuming or doing anything strenuous, I will drop the thermostat. Of course, when I have guests over, I always drop the thermostat. I don't leave lights on unless I'm actually using them. My appliances are all fairly energy efficient, as are the AC units. I think the plantation shutters help a lot, too.

The screened-in porch helps tremendously. I saw a big drop in my cooling bill when it was added. It's on the south side of the house and it keeps that late afternoon sun off the back of the house.


Twenty Years Later:
Fast forward to the present, now 20 years later. I received this letter in the mail last month. (Names are blocked out for privacy.)




Ummm, when I read this letter, I wondered if "Smart" meter was a euphemism for "we will be controlling your AC again." I called the electric company on 02-28 and asked to speak to a supervisor. I was told one wasn't available and they would have one call me.

On March 4th, I still had not received a return call. I called back again. This time I was able to talk with a supervisor named Valerie who told me the smart meter they would be installing would not control my AC. She said they had discovered those devices actually damaged their customer's units. I was surprised she admitted that...it was exactly what my heating and air company had told me years ago.

Valerie said the smart meters would allow them to read the meters remotely so they wouldn't have to send a technician out to read them anymore. She also said they were mandatory...you didn't get to choose whether you have a smart meter or not.

On March 15th the meter was installed.



I've been doing a little googling and for once, I don't recommend you google and read up. The stuff you read online is pretty disturbing and I don't know how much of it is accurate and how much is misinformation. You'll find everything from folks claiming the meters emit dangerous radiation (I guess part of the broadcasting to the satellite thing) to folks saying their bills went up drastically even though their usage did not.


Open Minded:
I'm trying to be open-minded, despite the negative experience I had so many years ago. Besides, I don't really have any choice in the matter. I was told it's mandatory and apparently it is going to be done nationwide.

When the guy came out to install the meter, he rang my bell to tell me he was here. I asked him a couple of questions about the meters. I told him I had heard there was some controversy going on about the meters. I asked if he knew any negatives to having them installed. He said the only negative he knew was that it had costs jobs. I didn't ask which jobs but I was guessing he meant the meter readers, the guys who used to drive out and read the meters. No standing in the way of progress, I suppose.

Your Experience:
So, what do you think? Smart meters: are they smart or are they dumb? Good idea or bad idea? Has one been installed on your home and if so, does it appear to be running accurately?

I'll let you know my experience once I receive a few bills. In the meantime, if you've already had one installed on your home, please leave a comment sharing your experience.