SMART METERS - your thoughts?

[Artist]

I received notice today that our power provider will be coming around to install the (what is supposed to be) entirely safe and beneficial Smart Meter.

There's been much debate about these devices, and, I'm a bit on the fence on this one. My concern doesn't lie in the "dangerous electromagnetic emission" theories, but more in the possibility of the power company now having the ability to "categorize" my usage into different times of a 24 hour period, whereby they can then charge more for certain periods.

Can anyone share some FACTUAL information or experiences about these things? We've heard some 'horror stories' of people's electricity bills sky-rocketing after a Smart Meter installation, but, I have no way of verifying if these claims are true.

Thanks!

[Hydro1]

I just got one installed without my knowing. Woke up last week to my dog freaking out, went out back and had one mounted and installed. I have nothing factual to add, will be interesting to hear other people's thoughts.
Here is a picture of what they look if anyone is wondering.
Just to add, I am renting this house. However the landlords were NOT informed either.
Here is a link with some video's and information.

http://www.albertasmartmeters.ca/Alberta_Smart_Meters.htm
http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag227/Aucado/20150226_000914_zps72da8802.jpg (http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/Aucado/media/20150226_000914_zps72da8802.jpg.html)

[Got Juice?]

I refused the smart meter install. The meter maid is nice to look at, and she needs a job too.

On the serious side, I think the EMR is negligible, and not harmful. But... HYDRO's own white paper suggest that time of use data sharing might be made available in future to interested parties who presumably 'pay' for hydro to release that information.

Now why would I want a third party to know when I am home, or away from home? And I would have no say in what hydro does with that information.

Pass the tinfoil, but I am keeping my analog meter.

[FreeLantz]

Never heard of a Smart Meter. What's the fuss about?

[silverdoctor]

Smart meters basically create a wireless network, meters talk to each other til the data is far enough down the line to find a collector unit. I believe the collectors are the beige boxes on poles with the 2 antenna's on them. Your meter will connect to your neighbors meter and so on and so on.

There's much technology associated with the smart system, the capabilities are mind blowing and it's easy to see why there's so much tin foil associated with it.

I liken it to facebook, they started off actually doing something with privacy. When millions signed up, the monetizing came into play and policies were changed time and time again. I suspect we'll see this as all the technology comes into play. People will accept it as it's sold as a convenience.

I'm really surprised you were allowed to refuse the meter. Juice, dollars to donuts it'll be installed when you're not home.

[Artist]

I have the option to refuse the smart meter - but, it will cost me an extra 70.00 on my bi-monthly bill. My conundrum is trying to decide what the better option would be - pay the 70.00 to retain the analog meter, or, risk it and hope the new meter will not result in higher bill! :thinking-006:

[Got Juice?]

Smart meters basically create a wireless network, meters talk to each other til the data is far enough down the line to find a collector unit. I believe the collectors are the beige boxes on poles with the 2 antenna's on them. Your meter will connect to your neighbors meter and so on and so on.

There's much technology associated with the smart system, the capabilities are mind blowing and it's easy to see why there's so much tin foil associated with it.

I liken it to facebook, they started off actually doing something with privacy. When millions signed up, the monetizing came into play and policies were changed time and time again. I suspect we'll see this as all the technology comes into play. People will accept it as it's sold as a convenience.

I'm really surprised you were allowed to refuse the meter. Juice, dollars to donuts it'll be installed when you're not home.


That might happen. Then again, there is this big dog at home :)

[Got Juice?]

I have the option to refuse the smart meter - but, it will cost me an extra 70.00 on my bi-monthly bill. My conundrum is trying to decide what the better option would be - pay the 70.00 to retain the analog meter, or, risk it and hope the new meter will not result in higher bill! :thinking-006:

Yes, I have to pay a 'legacy meter' rate to keep my analog meter.

I am fine with this.

[Got Juice?]

http://bcpiac.com/bc-hydro-smart-meter-opt-out-program-decision/

https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/projects/smart-metering/smi-program-business-case.pdf



http://www.sap.com/canada/pc/tech/in-memory-computing-hana/software/smart-meter-analytics/index.html

For the record, I spoke with BC Hydro as they were applying pressure to install this meter.

I told them I would allow the installation provided they would sign a paper stating that they would not release time of use to any third party organization that was not part of BC. Hydro.

Of course they refused. So I pay a little extra, and sleep a little better.

[FreeLantz]

I could see why you wouldn't want to have one installed.

I doubt I'll see them in my area any time soon. Can't get cell service never mind fancy meter reader thingys.

[Artist]

I could see why you wouldn't want to have one installed.

I doubt I'll see them in my area any time soon. Can't get cell service never mind fancy meter reader thingys.

Uhhh, don't be too quick to make that assumption. The reason they're installing them (apparently) is to remove the need for a "meter reader" to have to drive around in rural areas physically getting the readouts of meters. If you're in a rural area, you'll be one of the first targets!

[FreeLantz]

My neighbour is a km away. What kind of range do those things have?

[coolpete1]

i'm sure the power bill is a lot bigger every month since they installed that thing on my house .

[Mhunter51]

Safety issues are the main concern to me. In Saskatoon they installed quite a few and ther had major fire/explosion issues. Aparrantly because they were not moisture sealed. Who would have thought we would get driving rain or snow in Canada. They have removed all ( or most ) and replaced them with another brand. Have not heard of any fires from the new ones but a lot from the first ones. Not just hear-say, fire marshall was on site at the fire and gave an interview.

[Okotokian]

I think the provincial privacy authorities will have to be on this to ensure your data can't be given or sold without your consent (still lots of opportunity to use aggregated data that doesn't expose your specific data). That's pretty easy to regulate. However, the people who complain about this have no problems with any number of internet providers and companies tracking their browsing, shopping, and porn habits.

[Puma]

I have had one for the last couple years now with EPCOR. Not sure what all the fuss is ? Keeps the meter reader out of my yard, they just drive by on the road now.
In Ontario, my brother is charged peak and off peak hour charges at different rates. On the weekend, his prices are lower.

Puma

[qwert]

My 'stupid' meter is posted that I refuse permission to instal a 'smart' meter.

The price I pay to 'opt out' is the cost the government pays for me to vote for someone else.

I will do 'off grid' just as soon as I can figure out a way to do it.

I also do not have a 'smart' TV and will not buy 'smart' appliances, I have no need to change the temp of my refrigerator or my dryer from the other side of the country and don't want someone else to be able to do it either.

Good Luck, YMMV

[Artist]

Have any of you who now have the "Smart" meter noticed any significant increases on your bill? If so, how does this happen if your household consuption has remained consistent? This is the main issue I'm trying to get to the bottom of. Locally here in the news, there have been experiences shared where bill amounts have nearly doubled after the Smart Meter installation.

[Bigwoodsman]

Safety issues are the main concern to me. In Saskatoon they installed quite a few and ther had major fire/explosion issues. Aparrantly because they were not moisture sealed. Who would have thought we would get driving rain or snow in Canada. They have removed all ( or most ) and replaced them with another brand. Have not heard of any fires from the new ones but a lot from the first ones. Not just hear-say, fire marshall was on site at the fire and gave an interview.

This has happened in many places that have the use of Smart Meters.

Also it has been shown that the WIFI frequency increases in areas that use Smart Meters, causing health risks to those in the area.

Almost every house and business has an electric meter. In recent years, the traditional meters have begun to be replaced, with new technology electric Smart Meters, which are supposed to provide a more detailed analysis of the home’s energy usage. While they do adequately perform this function, they are also one of the highest sources of dangerous EMF pollution. Smartmeters, which are now being positioned on the side of many homes and apartments, give off one of the most powerful EMF signals, and therefore, a heavy dose of electromagnetic radiation.

Conventional energy meters are being outdated and replaced with Smart Meters. Smart Meters record energy consumption with in-depth details using the latest and most advanced technology to date. Because of how a smart meter operates, they are becoming a huge source of electromagnetic radiation.



Why Are Smart Meters Dangerous?

Smartmeters make you sick ... QuWave Harmonizer can help!We all know how dangerous and hazardous wireless technology is becoming. Just as we are realizing the negative effects cell phones have on our lives, we are now placing the same type of technology and negative energy sources in each person’s home with a Smart Meter. Many people have no say and are being forced to install a Smart Meter in their homeSmart meters give off a powerful electromagnetic field. This field pulses through then entire house, upsetting the EMF fields of all living things in the house. This has serious negative effects for those who have these Smartmeters. They provide a serious dose of EMF radiation throughout the entire home, which can seriously harm people and pets. This can cause everyone to feel anxious, unsettled, or even sick as the EMFs degenerate the body's immune system.

This pollution penetrates the walls of the home and negatively affects anything alive. These meters generate a gigantic amount of electrical EMF pollution and can cause many negative effects on the human body, mind, and spirit. Some of these effects include: Headaches, Sleep Problems, Stress, Anxiety, Fatigue, Dizziness, Concentration Problems, Blurred Vision, as well as more serious physical illnesses.

Smart Meters are Dangerous ... QuWave can helpThe increased exposure from radiowave and microwave radiation caused by Smart Meters is nonstop and is cumulative and can be a source of many ills. Most smart meters transmit as far as two miles. In many locations they are installed in clusters such as in apartment buildings and condos, where their damaging effects are multiplied manyfold because there are so many of them in one place.



How EMFs Hazardous to Our Health?

EMFs have been shown to cause: brain tumors, leukemia, birth defects, miscarriages, chronic fatigue, headaches, cataracts, heart problems, stress. nausea, chest pain, forgetfulness, cancer and other health problems?

At the heart of the matter is a relatively simple and well-understood physical phenomenon: When an electric current passes through a wire, it generates an electromagnetic field that exerts forces on surrounding objects, whatever that object might be --- human cells included!!!

People who live close to power lines are especially susceptible to health problems from EMFs, and this is where the Harmonizer excels.

Hundreds of studies had been conducted worldwide which indicate a link between EMFs and serious health problems. Many lab tests have confirmed that EMFs affect living cells in many harmful ways. Yet the electronics industry is denying everything.
We don't realize that we are exposed to hundreds of thousands times more electromagnetic fields than in past generations. In fact: "Scientists estimate that your daily exposure to EMF radiation is 100 Million Times higher today than it was in your grandparents' time!" (reported by EMFNews.org).

Scientific studies have shown that EMF exposure has a cumulative effect, increasing over time. Also, it has been shown that EMFs pass right through walls. So, the EMF you are being exposed to could be radiating from the next room, or from outside your home.

Depletion of your body's bio energy by EMFs causes a lowered energetic capability at a fundamental atomic level. Disturbance of the body's electronic signaling system results in disruptions to cellular functions and a compromised immune system. Quite simply, your body systems are no longer able to work in the way that they would if such destructive interference from EMF was not imposed on you.

When they come knocking at my doors for this I tell them no.

BW

[Fisherpeak]

This has happened in many places that have the use of Smart Meters.

Also it has been shown that the WIFI frequency increases in areas that use Smart Meters, causing health risks to those in the area.

Almost every house and business has an electric meter. In recent years, the traditional meters have begun to be replaced, with new technology electric Smart Meters, which are supposed to provide a more detailed analysis of the home’s energy usage. While they do adequately perform this function, they are also one of the highest sources of dangerous EMF pollution. Smartmeters, which are now being positioned on the side of many homes and apartments, give off one of the most powerful EMF signals, and therefore, a heavy dose of electromagnetic radiation.

Conventional energy meters are being outdated and replaced with Smart Meters. Smart Meters record energy consumption with in-depth details using the latest and most advanced technology to date. Because of how a smart meter operates, they are becoming a huge source of electromagnetic radiation.



Why Are Smart Meters Dangerous?

Smartmeters make you sick ... QuWave Harmonizer can help!We all know how dangerous and hazardous wireless technology is becoming. Just as we are realizing the negative effects cell phones have on our lives, we are now placing the same type of technology and negative energy sources in each person’s home with a Smart Meter. Many people have no say and are being forced to install a Smart Meter in their homeSmart meters give off a powerful electromagnetic field. This field pulses through then entire house, upsetting the EMF fields of all living things in the house. This has serious negative effects for those who have these Smartmeters. They provide a serious dose of EMF radiation throughout the entire home, which can seriously harm people and pets. This can cause everyone to feel anxious, unsettled, or even sick as the EMFs degenerate the body's immune system.

This pollution penetrates the walls of the home and negatively affects anything alive. These meters generate a gigantic amount of electrical EMF pollution and can cause many negative effects on the human body, mind, and spirit. Some of these effects include: Headaches, Sleep Problems, Stress, Anxiety, Fatigue, Dizziness, Concentration Problems, Blurred Vision, as well as more serious physical illnesses.

Smart Meters are Dangerous ... QuWave can helpThe increased exposure from radiowave and microwave radiation caused by Smart Meters is nonstop and is cumulative and can be a source of many ills. Most smart meters transmit as far as two miles. In many locations they are installed in clusters such as in apartment buildings and condos, where their damaging effects are multiplied manyfold because there are so many of them in one place.



How EMFs Hazardous to Our Health?

EMFs have been shown to cause: brain tumors, leukemia, birth defects, miscarriages, chronic fatigue, headaches, cataracts, heart problems, stress. nausea, chest pain, forgetfulness, cancer and other health problems?

At the heart of the matter is a relatively simple and well-understood physical phenomenon: When an electric current passes through a wire, it generates an electromagnetic field that exerts forces on surrounding objects, whatever that object might be --- human cells included!!!

People who live close to power lines are especially susceptible to health problems from EMFs, and this is where the Harmonizer excels.

Hundreds of studies had been conducted worldwide which indicate a link between EMFs and serious health problems. Many lab tests have confirmed that EMFs affect living cells in many harmful ways. Yet the electronics industry is denying everything.
We don't realize that we are exposed to hundreds of thousands times more electromagnetic fields than in past generations. In fact: "Scientists estimate that your daily exposure to EMF radiation is 100 Million Times higher today than it was in your grandparents' time!" (reported by EMFNews.org).

Scientific studies have shown that EMF exposure has a cumulative effect, increasing over time. Also, it has been shown that EMFs pass right through walls. So, the EMF you are being exposed to could be radiating from the next room, or from outside your home.

Depletion of your body's bio energy by EMFs causes a lowered energetic capability at a fundamental atomic level. Disturbance of the body's electronic signaling system results in disruptions to cellular functions and a compromised immune system. Quite simply, your body systems are no longer able to work in the way that they would if such destructive interference from EMF was not imposed on you.

When they come knocking at my doors for this I tell them no.

BW

PULEEEEZZZZ
Gawd,you sleep next to an electrical outlet I`m sure,you watch T.V.,you have lights in your house.You probably eat bacon and eggs too.They will kill you.
It`s no big deal,I`ve had one for 2 years,my house is still here,the Government has not taken over my brain and turned me into a mindless drone and my Hydro bills have not gone up.
Just wear your tinfoil hat.You will be fine.

[twofifty]

Try getting a reading off a digital meter - I haven't figured out how.
D'you guys know how to read those?

The analog meters could easily be read, which was an important piece of information whenever a tenancy changed hands.

[Deo101]

This has happened in many places that have the use of Smart Meters.

Also it has been shown that the WIFI frequency increases in areas that use Smart Meters, causing health risks to those in the area.

Almost every house and business has an electric meter. In recent years, the traditional meters have begun to be replaced, with new technology electric Smart Meters, which are supposed to provide a more detailed analysis of the home’s energy usage. While they do adequately perform this function, they are also one of the highest sources of dangerous EMF pollution. Smartmeters, which are now being positioned on the side of many homes and apartments, give off one of the most powerful EMF signals, and therefore, a heavy dose of electromagnetic radiation.

Conventional energy meters are being outdated and replaced with Smart Meters. Smart Meters record energy consumption with in-depth details using the latest and most advanced technology to date. Because of how a smart meter operates, they are becoming a huge source of electromagnetic radiation.



Why Are Smart Meters Dangerous?

Smartmeters make you sick ... QuWave Harmonizer can help!We all know how dangerous and hazardous wireless technology is becoming. Just as we are realizing the negative effects cell phones have on our lives, we are now placing the same type of technology and negative energy sources in each person’s home with a Smart Meter. Many people have no say and are being forced to install a Smart Meter in their homeSmart meters give off a powerful electromagnetic field. This field pulses through then entire house, upsetting the EMF fields of all living things in the house. This has serious negative effects for those who have these Smartmeters. They provide a serious dose of EMF radiation throughout the entire home, which can seriously harm people and pets. This can cause everyone to feel anxious, unsettled, or even sick as the EMFs degenerate the body's immune system.

This pollution penetrates the walls of the home and negatively affects anything alive. These meters generate a gigantic amount of electrical EMF pollution and can cause many negative effects on the human body, mind, and spirit. Some of these effects include: Headaches, Sleep Problems, Stress, Anxiety, Fatigue, Dizziness, Concentration Problems, Blurred Vision, as well as more serious physical illnesses.

Smart Meters are Dangerous ... QuWave can helpThe increased exposure from radiowave and microwave radiation caused by Smart Meters is nonstop and is cumulative and can be a source of many ills. Most smart meters transmit as far as two miles. In many locations they are installed in clusters such as in apartment buildings and condos, where their damaging effects are multiplied manyfold because there are so many of them in one place.



How EMFs Hazardous to Our Health?

EMFs have been shown to cause: brain tumors, leukemia, birth defects, miscarriages, chronic fatigue, headaches, cataracts, heart problems, stress. nausea, chest pain, forgetfulness, cancer and other health problems?

At the heart of the matter is a relatively simple and well-understood physical phenomenon: When an electric current passes through a wire, it generates an electromagnetic field that exerts forces on surrounding objects, whatever that object might be --- human cells included!!!

People who live close to power lines are especially susceptible to health problems from EMFs, and this is where the Harmonizer excels.

Hundreds of studies had been conducted worldwide which indicate a link between EMFs and serious health problems. Many lab tests have confirmed that EMFs affect living cells in many harmful ways. Yet the electronics industry is denying everything.
We don't realize that we are exposed to hundreds of thousands times more electromagnetic fields than in past generations. In fact: "Scientists estimate that your daily exposure to EMF radiation is 100 Million Times higher today than it was in your grandparents' time!" (reported by EMFNews.org).

Scientific studies have shown that EMF exposure has a cumulative effect, increasing over time. Also, it has been shown that EMFs pass right through walls. So, the EMF you are being exposed to could be radiating from the next room, or from outside your home.

Depletion of your body's bio energy by EMFs causes a lowered energetic capability at a fundamental atomic level. Disturbance of the body's electronic signaling system results in disruptions to cellular functions and a compromised immune system. Quite simply, your body systems are no longer able to work in the way that they would if such destructive interference from EMF was not imposed on you.

When they come knocking at my doors for this I tell them no.

BW

So these are the straw to break our back? What about the 17 wifi and bluetooth devices that are constantly running in my home? Satellites, radio, scada systems etc etc beaming through the sky constantly? I don't doubt all of this has an affect on our bodies but I don't see how these devices are where we draw the line. Maybe for other reason like mentioned, like data collection and rate changes. Just buy one of those of the bracelets with the hologram on from the mall and you should be good...


Also are the people reporting there bill doubling figuring that over a year? The old meter way was great until they took an actual reading and you get that $400 bill because their usage estimation was way off.

[Fisherpeak]

So these are the straw to break our back? What about the 17 wifi and bluetooth devices that are constantly running in my home? Satellites, radio, scada systems etc etc beaming through the sky constantly? I don't doubt all of this has an affect on our bodies but I don't see how these devices are where we draw the line. Maybe for other reason like mentioned, like data collection and rate changes. Just buy one of those of the bracelets with the hologram on from the mall and you should be good...




Space blanket and a tinfoil hat work great.And you are right about the estimations.Now it`s what you actually use that has most people ranting about the bills going up.Hell ,probably sitting in front of this computer machine is bombing us with weird radiation.

[Artist]

Space blanket and a tinfoil hat work great.And you are right about the estimations.Now it`s what you actually use that has most people ranting about the bills going up.Hell ,probably sitting in front of this computer machine is bombing us with weird radiation.

So bills going up is a the result of (apparently) being undercharged previously (or, having used more power than was estimated?) How can this be, when a meter-reader was acquiring the exact readout from the previous meter?

[Fisherpeak]

So bills going up is a the result of (apparently) being undercharged previously (or, having used more power than was estimated?) How can this be, when a meter-reader was acquiring the exact readout from the previous meter?

Because they don`t read the meter everytime,specially in bad weather,they guesstimate based on previous usage.Check a whole years worth against the new meter and factor in the increased price of Hydro.Ours(the whole province)went up this year.

[CanuckShooter]

My neighbour is a km away. What kind of range do those things have?

No cell service at our house, but we have a smart meter. They have small signal relay boxes installed high up on the telephone poles to move the readings along, I assume to a point where they can pick up the transmission.

It's kind of hard to say if our bills went up with the smart meter installation because hydro keeps upping the rates all the time.

[Artist]

Because they don`t read the meter everytime,specially in bad weather,they guesstimate based on previous usage.Check a whole years worth against the new meter and factor in the increased price of Hydro.Ours(the whole province)went up this year.

Yea, I'd like to believe that it's that simple - but we've seen and heard of too many occurrences (at least in our area) where bill rates went up to levels beyond simple explanations (such as what you're suggesting). I find it hard to believe that previous "guesstimations" could have been that "off."

Here's just one story....
http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/letters/289946901.html

...and another one...
http://www.castanet.net/news/Central-Okanagan/88122/Electrical-bill-shocker
(be sure to read the comments below the main article)

[Skybuster]

Yea, I'd like to believe that it's that simple - but we've seen and heard of too many occurrences (at least in our area) where bill rates went up to levels beyond simple explanations (such as what you're suggesting). I find it hard to believe that previous "guesstimations" could have been that "off."

Here's just one story....
http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/letters/289946901.html

...and another one...
http://www.castanet.net/news/Central-Okanagan/88122/Electrical-bill-shocker
(be sure to read the comments below the main article)

This is from a few years back, but I worked for a municipality in BC. We looked after the property tax system and were upgrading the system to accept handheld readers that the meter readers could use, in this case water meters. They would just walk by a meter and the signal would be read and stored on their handheld. When the guys got back to the hall the information would electronically transfer to to the property tax system. Prior to that the meter reader would write down the number of each meter in his log and manually transfer the amount back at the hall.

During implementation the meter readers, there were two of them, refused to trial the handheld units. They were old guys, close to retirement and had tons of reasons why these new devices were bad for them. We thought it was resistance to change. So we had to do the routes ourselves and prove the system worked. Long story short what we found is that the guys reading the meters were not bothering to walk their routes. Since they had been doing this for years and years, they knew the pattern. They would leave the hall and drive straight to the local donut shop and fill out their route sheet for the day. The result was that many homes ended up with huge bills, others got a rebate. The worst case I recall was just over $4,000 for a one month bill. The city had to make some accomodations. And being as these guys were unionized, they were not fired, just got a desk job.

[midgetwaiter]

Also it has been shown that the WIFI frequency increases in areas that use Smart Meters, causing health risks to those in the area.


There is some interesting information I have discovered about just how this works, I've posted this before but it's worth repeating.

A former client of mine manages IT for a chain of health food stores. He embarked on a project to install wifi in their office and installed your garden variety WAPs with external antennas in a few standard celling mount locations. It was not long before they started to have reports of WIFI induced illnesses like headache, nausea, heart palpitations and of course, genital warts. This got to be a major contributor to absenteeism so he was asked to remove them.

Being a fairly crafty fellow he waited a bit and then installed new access points without telling anyone. The only difference was that he used WAPs that are white, have no external antennas and are designed to look like smoke alarms.

Anyone want to guess what happened? That's right! There were no WIFI induced illnesses reported! There were no mystery illnesses reported!

Now he and I disagree on why this happened. He thinks it's because he works for a bunch of hysterical hippies that would be terrified of their own shadows if somebody made a youtube video about it. I disagree, I think it's pretty obvious that exposure to antennas, transmitting or not, causes genital warts.

Doesn't look like the smart meters have any external antennas so I think your junk is safe.

[Artist]

This is from a few years back, but I worked for a municipality in BC. We looked after the property tax system and were upgrading the system to accept handheld readers that the meter readers could use, in this case water meters. They would just walk by a meter and the signal would be read and stored on their handheld. When the guys got back to the hall the information would electronically transfer to to the property tax system. Prior to that the meter reader would write down the number of each meter in his log and manually transfer the amount back at the hall.

During implementation the meter readers, there were two of them, refused to trial the handheld units. They were old guys, close to retirement and had tons of reasons why these new devices were bad for them. We thought it was resistance to change. So we had to do the routes ourselves and prove the system worked. Long story short what we found is that the guys reading the meters were not bothering to walk their routes. Since they had been doing this for years and years, they knew the pattern. They would leave the hall and drive straight to the local donut shop and fill out their route sheet for the day. The result was that many homes ended up with huge bills, others got a rebate. The worst case I recall was just over $4,000 for a one month bill. The city had to make some accomodations. And being as these guys were unionized, they were not fired, just got a desk job.

Wow, that's quite the experience!
In my case here, I do know that the meter-reader has come to do the reading consistently (I work from home, so I know), and, he's a young guy! :)

[Artist]

There is some interesting information I have discovered about just how this works, I've posted this before but it's worth repeating.

A former client of mine manages IT for a chain of health food stores. He embarked on a project to install wifi in their office and installed your garden variety WAPs with external antennas in a few standard celling mount locations. It was not long before they started to have reports of WIFI induced illnesses like headache, nausea, heart palpitations and of course, genital warts. This got to be a major contributor to absenteeism so he was asked to remove them.

Being a fairly crafty fellow he waited a bit and then installed new access points without telling anyone. The only difference was that he used WAPs that are white, have no external antennas and are designed to look like smoke alarms.

Anyone want to guess what happened? That's right! There were no WIFI induced illnesses reported! There were no mystery illnesses reported!

Now he and I disagree on why this happened. He thinks it's because he works for a bunch of hysterical hippies that would be terrified of their own shadows if somebody made a youtube video about it. I disagree, I think it's pretty obvious that exposure to antennas, transmitting or not, causes genital warts.

Doesn't look like the smart meters have any external antennas so I think your junk is safe.

lol... great post!
As I said earlier though, I too am not buying into the whole "this thing will fry my brain" imaginations - it's the testimonials about sudden (in some cases) huge increases in bills that have me questioning. These testimonials are not imaginary - they are real - printed in black & white on the bills of those who have to pay them.

[midgetwaiter]

lol... great post!
As I said earlier though, I too am not buying into the whole "this thing will fry my brain" imaginations - it's the testimonials about sudden (in some cases) huge increases in bills that have me questioning. These testimonials are not imaginary - they are real - printed in black & white on the bills of those who have to pay them.

Well it depends on the circumstances, really.

In a scenario like Skybuster describes where somebody gets hit out of the blue with a significant increase because of previous measurement failures I feel for them to a limited degree. The suddenness of it would be painful but you have to consider that what's been happening in the mean time is that we've been subsidizing them with higher rates over all to make up for the shortfall. Also remember that for every person who complains about higher bills there could quite easily be a dozen who's rates dropped over the same period. Why would they complain?

The other possibility is that these things don't work very well sometimes. In some number of instances this is probably happening and I don't imagine the customer service dummies aren't going to be a lot of help. That's why these utilities have started making house visits and trying to assist people.

If you don't trust the meters get something that helps you measure your usage independently. If there's a significant discrepancy then at least you have something to support your position.

http://www.theenergydetective.com/

[fish_e_o]

with battle river rea i swear mine is off. i bought one of those kill-a-watt things and plugged it into everything. it doesn't add up.

i'll turn off the breakers to everything but one plug and test the consumption vs. my meter one day.

numerous phone calls have been made it's an insane amount of power i'm talking about . like 1000 kw/hrs extra every month who has 2500 kw/hrs in a month!?

[Jason Bourne]

Default can't read digital meter
Try getting a reading off a digital meter - I haven't figured out how.
D'you guys know how to read those?

The analog meters could easily be read, which was an important piece of information whenever a tenancy changed hands.


The read you are looking for is on the front of the meter. The digital numbers cycle through and your total consumption will have a small kwh at the end or sometimes just underneath These are actually easier to read than the analog meters. Also there are two ways to collect the info from your meter. One is wirelessly using RF. This is the method that has everybody up in arms.The other way is PLC (Powerline carrier) where your signal is piggybacked onto the sine wave and transmitted through the powerline that feeds your house and your whole subdivision/neighbourhood.For those people concerned about RF and "death by wireless" inquire through your utility and see which method they may use.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Try getting a reading off a digital meter - I haven't figured out how.
D'you guys know how to read those?

The analog meters could easily be read, which was an important piece of information whenever a tenancy changed hands.

Do you mean you can't read the display?

The LCD filters are a bit whonky on those - on mine I need to squat down to read it straight on - if I am at any kind of an angle, all I see is 8888888888888888.8888 :D

[Hydro1]

Do you mean you can't read the display?

The LCD filters are a bit whonky on those - on mine I need to squat down to read it straight on - if I am at any kind of an angle, all I see is 8888888888888888.8888 :D

Ha, i havent been able to figure out how to read mine either. Even looking at it straight it reads 888888. :sign0161:

[RandyBoBandy]

I dismantled my tin foil hat and wrapped it around the smart meter...I'm getting dividend cheques now instead of bills :sHa_sarcasticlol:

[gbart]

LOL....!


http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w488/gvcontour/wpid-tin-foil-hat.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/gvcontour/media/wpid-tin-foil-hat.jpg.html)