Edison rant

€uroMeinke · 02-22-2010, 06:44 PM

SCE is starting to roll out Smart Meters, which will download your usage on a continuous basis and also allow you to monitor your energy usage. PG&E had first generation Smart Meters that they are now in the process of replacing (as Mousey Girl mentioned, they have had numerous problems).

definitely follow-up on your account history - estimating reads happens when a meter isn't accessible, but over a 2-year period would be extremely unusual. while more appliances are more energy efficient, the number of "always on" devices is sometimes a hidden power suck, other major culprits are 2nd refrigerators/freezers, space heaters, and certain large screen TVs. Energy theft is always a possibility especially when you see such spikes - pot farm usually bypass the meter altogether though.

RStar · 02-22-2010, 10:44 PM

No smart meter here.

And I have not changed anything in the last year, other than going from a 32" old picture tube TV sucking up 1,200 watts to a 52" LCD flat screen that uses 280 watts. And I have changed 90% of my lighting to CFLs or LEDs. I've worked hard at lowering my usage.

I could go on the "Level Pay Plan" where they average out the year in the first 11 months, and you make up the difference in the 12th month (or get a credit if you over payed). Buy now I don't have a good 12 month history to go on.

I looked at the meter, and the read looks right to me. But according to my bill I used 550 kWh in Dec. and 2,399 kWh in Jan!?!? The only difference from Dec to Jan is I took down my Christmas lights at the begining of Jan. That would mean less usage.

I just looked at my last month bill and it does say "estimated read". They changed the format on the billing a while back and I never noticed that. I remember it saying "actual read". WTF is an estimated read? Either you read it or you estimate it. That's like saying I almost payed my taxes to the IRS. They won't let that slide, but I'm expected to let Edison slide? I don't think so. And this bill only says "read", no "actual" or "estimated". Wierd.

There is no good line of site of the meter, so I'm pretty sure it's been estimated.

02-22-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	SCE is starting to roll out Smart Meters, which will download your usage on a continuous basis and also allow you to monitor your energy usage. PG&E had first generation Smart Meters that they are now in the process of replacing (as Mousey Girl mentioned, they have had numerous problems). definitely follow-up on your account history - estimating reads happens when a meter isn't accessible, but over a 2-year period would be extremely unusual. while more appliances are more energy efficient, the number of "always on" devices is sometimes a hidden power suck, other major culprits are 2nd refrigerators/freezers, space heaters, and certain large screen TVs. Energy theft is always a possibility especially when you see such spikes - pot farm usually bypass the meter altogether though. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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02-22-2010, 10:44 PM	#2
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	No smart meter here. And I have not changed anything in the last year, other than going from a 32" old picture tube TV sucking up 1,200 watts to a 52" LCD flat screen that uses 280 watts. And I have changed 90% of my lighting to CFLs or LEDs. I've worked hard at lowering my usage. I could go on the "Level Pay Plan" where they average out the year in the first 11 months, and you make up the difference in the 12th month (or get a credit if you over payed). Buy now I don't have a good 12 month history to go on. I looked at the meter, and the read looks right to me. But according to my bill I used 550 kWh in Dec. and 2,399 kWh in Jan!?!? The only difference from Dec to Jan is I took down my Christmas lights at the begining of Jan. That would mean less usage. I just looked at my last month bill and it does say "estimated read". They changed the format on the billing a while back and I never noticed that. I remember it saying "actual read". WTF is an estimated read? Either you read it or you estimate it. That's like saying I almost payed my taxes to the IRS. They won't let that slide, but I'm expected to let Edison slide? I don't think so. And this bill only says "read", no "actual" or "estimated". Wierd. There is no good line of site of the meter, so I'm pretty sure it's been estimated. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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