How to Read a Smart Meter or Die Trying
How to Read a Smart Meter or Die Trying
Don Ames
Before we get into the technical discussion of blinking numbers and flashing kilowatt hours, let’s talk about the future of energy savings and the roll your home is going to play in conserving and producing power in the future.
Here in the valley, a new home builder has started building new homes again. The builder has emerged from bankruptcy and is trying to re-establish his once successful business. All the homes being constructed have solar electric panels installed on the roof. Buy a new home and produce juice.
I have discussed whole house power monitors in previous articles. I have not discussed the latest and greatest power monitor that is available from Agilewaves or the monitor from Energy Circle called eMonitor. These monitors not only measure whole house power usage but are capable of monitoring each individual electrical circuit along with natural gas and water use. Look at the monitor and you can tell if your teenager has fallen asleep with the TV on in his bedroom. You can bet that these new power monitors are able to interface with google/powermeter and smart meters.
Here’s my point, learning how to read your smart meter is an elementary start. The day is coming when the power module mounted in the hallway of your home will keep track of electricity used, electricity produced, natural gas used, water used, when to start the dishwasher, when to turn off the TV in the kids room and when to charge the electric car in the garage.
Ok, enough of that, I have a slight tendency to get carried away with the whole monitoring thing. Please learn how to read your power meter, it will be a good warm-up to the coming lifestyle involving power monitors and smart homes.
As you might have guessed, there is more than one manufacturer of smart meters and they vary in the way they blink numbers and flash kilowatt hours. Most of the meters have all or some of the displays listed below.
1. The Date: don’t let it fool you, 030410 is March 4, 2010.
2. The Time: most often shown in military style, 7:17 PM and 17 seconds would be displayed as 191717.
3. The total amount of kilowatt hours used, 007634, would be 7,634 total kilowatt hours used since the meter was placed at the home.
4. The current kilowatt hours being used right then. o0014 would represent 14 kilowatt hours being used right then and there.
The electric smart meter by Landis+Gyr uses a digital readout alternating between three different displays.
1. Initial screen displays “888888″ indicating that the unit is working OK.
2. The next screen gives total kilowatts used – the number may include leading zeros. As in 003587.
3. The final screen shows current usage. ( which may alternatively flash with available current , usually 240 volts )
Your power provider, like San Diego Gas & Electric, may have other information visible or flashing on the screen that is technical stuff just for them, like radio frequency etc.
The GE Smart Meter uses a digital readout containing one standard display. The 5-digit display showing the total kWh of energy consumption is located on the top line and is always on. This number is cumulative. Below the kWh display, the 3-digit voltage level and 3-digit current electric usage displays will alternate (i.e., “240 Volts” is shown for a few seconds and then toggles to “.345 kW” for a few seconds). NOTE: A segment check may display momentarily, but will change back to the standard display.
Gas and electric meters record the total amount of gas or electricity consumed, just as a car’s odometer records mileage. Meters are highly accurate instruments. In fact, accuracy testing indicate smart meters to be correct more than 99 percent of the time. You can also check the accuracy of the meter by learning to read your own meter. At least you can check to see if the power company is receiving the correct information from your meter.
To find out how much energy you use in a given time, subtract the first reading from a second reading taken at a later date. For instance, if on Monday the reading is 001406 and you go back the following Monday and the reading is 001940, you would subtract the first reading from the second to get the number of kilowatt hours used in that one week period. 001940 subtract 001406 = 534 kilowatt hours.
The energy use information collected by your smart meter will help you understand your energy habits and the best ways to save. In the future, you’ll be able to view your usage information through the Internet on programs like google/powermeter. Knowing how much energy you’re consuming on a daily basis can help you better manage your energy use and save money. Studies show that households save up to 20% when they have a power monitor.
One last thought, some of you that have smart meters will have power providers that provide power usage information on-line. Give them a call and see if you can sign up.
Second last thought, thanks for stopping by, come back soon, but remember, I won’t be leaving the light on for you…Don Ames