PG&E Smart Meter-SF Bay Area & Beyond-Anyone have one ?
 

...and what has been the impact on your utility bill ?
I have heard some bills (around here) have nearly doubled.
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
The Big Blue truck is coming our way.

R5

Based on how the smart meters now collect billing data, it stands to reason that bills will go up. With old electromechanical meters, the utility had to bill just a flat rate per KWH, trying to come up with a rate that balanced peak and off peak rates with the ratio of when the most power was actually used. The new meters can bill you a higher rate for the power you use during peak times, thus allowing the utility to actually bill you the higher rate instead of guessing how much you use during those times and trying to come up with a KWH rate that covers the whole scenario. When you start getting billed, I would imagine you will be able to see the breakdown of usage and rates and make adustments as possible.

I think there's a lot of information and assistance from the utility since there has been a lot of backlash with the new meters.

If it makes you feel any better, even if a utility installs a new electromechanical meter at a home the bills will likely be higher. As a meter gets older, the magnets weaken and the discs turn slower. The change happens so gradually over the years that after 20 years or so there is a big difference that the utility loses out on.

We have had smart meters for awhile. We have seen no noticeable change in our electric bill year to year. We don't really use gas in the spring-fall, so I don't know yet whether we'll see an increase in gas usage in the winter (heat).

Apparently at least in the Bay Area you have to sign up for a rate plan that includes peak useage charges to see the difference in when you use your power. For now, everyone is still getting billed a flat fee (a rate up to one point, then another tier if you use more than that, then a third tier if you use still more).

I'm having some trouble trying to figure out what a query like this is doing on a travel forum. At least take it to the Lounge...

Having trouble figuring that one out, eh? Well, it is a tough one, I'll give you that. My guess, now this is only a guess mind you, is that razzle accidentally selected the wrong forum and didn't realize it until after the question was posted.

I guess what I really meant is why anyone would go to a Fodor's Travel Forum at all to discuss something about an electric meter, but I don't frequent the Lounge - maybe they enjoy these type of topics.

Thank you november_moon, that is indeed what happened.

Pox on you hazel for rudely not thinking there might be
a back story.
[-X

I truly appreciate those who answered with their
experiences, thank you all very, very much !!

R5

I don't care which forum this discussion is in. I've read it with interest because I've been awaiting a SCE smart meter with eager anticipation for over a year. But I currently have an old meter which apparently may have been reading low. Groan!

I read it every day because some years ago we had the kitchen remodeled and a lot more lights installed. Our usage went up dramatically. So I started reading the meter to track down why we were using so much and quickly found out. And I just kept it up. So I have a lot of data on the old meter usage, We'll see what the smart meter says. I hope I can read it daily.

Can I?

The Sacramento TV station, Ch. 3, is having a piece tonight at 11 regarding the Smart Meters. People are claiming these meters are making them sick. Not sure what the "sickness" is, but I may record out of curiosity.

I am sure one has nothing to do with the other but since we have had the smart meters installed we have twice had pounding on our door and told to evacuate as we were having a gas leak. The first time was early morning some months ago when most of us were still in bed and the second time was early evening last night. I am not saying the smart meters had anything to do with the two gas leaks but as all the neighbors said it has never happened here at our eleven year old complex until the smart meters were installed so we are curious, lol.

I checked and found that SCE plans to install my smart meter in the spring of 2012. If I come down with a cold or a little extra arthritis in my thumb, I suspect it will be due to the smart meter's high frequency radiation sending signals back to their secret underground headquarters.

My projection is that Sacramento ch 3 will suck you in and then conclude that there is no evidence that smart meters cause anything other than a need for fewer meter readers. This of course will be a whitewash due to pressure from the evil utility lobby.

Be very afraid.