HOME TRENDS: FREE ELECTRICITY FOR A DAY? HOW DO THEY DO THAT?
Deborah Laemmerhirt 203.994.4297
Electric utilities are advancing their programs to swap out old inefficient power meters with new, 2 way devices. With new metering capabilities homeowners will have powerful options in energy usage and management. The big buzz now trending is time-of-use, or dynamic electricity pricing.
Most homeowners today pay a one-size-fits-all price for electricity ( the kilowatt hour is the unit of measure) and have no incentive to alter their consumption in response to price fluctuations.
As the video (click image) will indicate, the cost to produce electricity moves around all day long so understanding TIME OF DAY usage is important.
The goal of smart meters is twofold. Two way meters can communicate with the utility and provide real-time demand data. Secondly, the process of smart metering will allow homeowners to manage when they use electricity and leverage special promotions that utilities will offer. Daytime electricity generation is the most expensive but if utilities can reduce daytime generation and move it to evening or late night there is a lot of money to be saved and eventual passed on to homeowners.
Some sort of smart meters have been around for 10 years and newer technology is fueling the trend. A few years back there were health and safety concerns but the industry seems to have worked out those problems. Privacy advocates also caution on "too much info" being sent to the power company. Currently there is an estimated 10 million homes that have some type of metering technology installed. Some states that are rolling out the programs are getting push back from homeowners (Article from Texas) who say they are being forced to use the new meters against their wishes. Please contact your local Public Utility Commission to convey any concerns.
What Will The Offers From My Utility Look Like?
Let's say you pay 7.9 cents for a Kilowatt (1000 watts of electricity). Utilities will offer you 20% savings if you use electricity after 8 pm or even more after 11 pm when generation costs the least. (Click on video above) Your smart meter will communicate just how much you use and when you use it. In many states that had energy deregulation, competing energy suppliers may entice new customers with "free electricity every Wednesday for two months". It won't be long before you see offers form banks and credit card companies offering similar deals to sign up for a new service.
With rapidly advancing technology in the home automation industry, fueled by WiFi networks, your smart phone will communicate with your smart meter and tell you the optimal time to turn on the dishwasher or do the wash!
Some sort of smart meters have been around for 10 years and newer technology is fueling the trend. A few years back there were health and safety concerns but the industry seems to have worked out those problems. Privacy advocates also caution on "too much info" being sent to the power company. Currently there is an estimated 10 million homes that have some type of metering technology installed. Some states that are rolling out the programs are getting push back from homeowners (Article from Texas) who say they are being forced to use the new meters against their wishes. Please contact your local Public Utility Commission to convey any concerns.
What Will The Offers From My Utility Look Like?
Let's say you pay 7.9 cents for a Kilowatt (1000 watts of electricity). Utilities will offer you 20% savings if you use electricity after 8 pm or even more after 11 pm when generation costs the least. (Click on video above) Your smart meter will communicate just how much you use and when you use it. In many states that had energy deregulation, competing energy suppliers may entice new customers with "free electricity every Wednesday for two months". It won't be long before you see offers form banks and credit card companies offering similar deals to sign up for a new service.
With rapidly advancing technology in the home automation industry, fueled by WiFi networks, your smart phone will communicate with your smart meter and tell you the optimal time to turn on the dishwasher or do the wash!
