Smart Meters

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

B. What do you mean off peak for your water heater? How did you fix it?
I know that the electric company charge more for on peak times but I don't know what time of day that is. Probably the times of night when people like to turn on their holiday lights.

I fixed it by fixing the leaky faucet. The separate off-peak meter is on a timer that kills the power, to anything supplied by it, during the late afternoon and early evening when the demand for power is highest. I only have the water heater hooked to that meter, but the electric company will allow me to hook anything I want, as long as I tell them. High consuming appliances like a clothes dryer, or tools like a welder, that can usually be used avoiding the peak hours, are good candidates for the cheaper, by a third, rate.

Businesses are required to use a demand meter, which not only measures the total power used, but also the rate at which it's used. Say you had a lunch business that didn't total that much power for the month, but the business was only open for a couple hours a day, 5 days a week. But when it was open, you'd be using power at a hellacious rate for the deep fryers, grills and stuff. The demand meter tips off the electric company, and it only takes exceeding the demand limit for one hour, for them to bang you with a much higher rate for the entire month.
I can't help but wonder if that's where the smart meters are leading? After all, these new meters must be costing them a shitload of money, so they must think it's going to help them somehow.

[dar512]

Appliances that make heat use the most electricity. I'd guess if you have an electric oven that you've been doing some holiday cooking.

Electric space heaters, hair dryers, halogen lights, etc. might also be contributing.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by dar512

Appliances that make heat use the most electricity.

Appliances that make cold are pretty greedy too.