How a smart meter installation works SDG&E notifies customers by mail a few weeks before the smart meter installation takes place. Read more » |  | Save Energy and Save Money The energy use collected by smart meters will help customers understand energy use habits and the best ways to save. Read more » | What happens to SDG&E’s meter readers? For quality assurance purposes, after initial installation, meter readers will continue to read meters for the next few months. Eventually, meters will be read remotely. Training and workshops will be offered to SDG&E’s meter readers to help them transfer to other jobs within the company. | For more information about the Smart Meter Program, visit sdge.com/smartmeter or call 1-800-411-7343. |
| Thank you for your interest in SDG&E’s Smart Meter Program. SDG&E’s smart meter initiative is part of California’s Energy Action Plan, a statewide roadmap for achieving a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future.
Smart meter installations are well underway
SDG&E® officially began the areawide roll-out of its new smart meters in March 2009. We’re currently replacing 1.4 million electric meters and upgrading 900,000 natural gas meters. Through Feb. 2010, we’ve installed about 500,000 meters in San Diego County and will be finished replacing or upgrading the meters by year end. We’ll wrap up the smart meter installations in south Orange County in 2011. By that time, all SDG&E meters will have the new smart technology. 
In order to accomplish this monumental installation task, SDG&E’s technology provider has engaged the services of VSI Meter Services. VSI is an experienced meter service contractor whose expertise is meter installations.
Learn more about VSI. Smart meter capabilities
A smart meter system allows for two-way communication between a customer and SDG&E. The smart meters record energy use information daily. The technology allows for the meters to be read automatically without the need for a physical visit from one of SDG&E’s meter readers. However for quality assurance purposes, after meters are installed, meter readers will continue to read meters for the next few months. In addition, customers will still need to allow SDG&E access to the meters for maintenance and safety checks. The two-way communication capability means SDG&E will be able to better manage overall energy needs, implement “green” demand-response programs, quickly detect power outages as they happen, and offer enhanced customer services. |
Who looks in their utility cupboard every day to see the gas meter and understands how much they have spent? I think Smart Meters are a good idea and can help people. I found a video about Energy Smart Meters which explains the basics. Smart Meters will monitor electricity consumption and help to understanding where to save money and reducing carbon emissions. Simple as that! Why it is not worth spending money?
Reply to this
Why should I get a SmartMeter? How is it better than a regular meter? My own meter is definitely due but I want to know what I am buying if I am getting something new. Thanks for any info you can provide!
Reply to this
Should I Get a Smart Meter?
For most people it really doesn't matter right now. There are a lot of promised technologies that are supposed to help you manage your energy usage and help you minimize usage when electricity demand is high. But they are not readily available yet.
Mechanical Meter with Dials and Wheel That Spins to Show Usage
Here in SDG&E territory they are automatically replacing all the old mechanical/analog meters with the new digital smart meters (unless you have solar electricity because their new "smart" meters cannot run backwards as needed with solar, smart meters can run backwards just not the ones they are using).
Well, sort of . . . They are really not that smart. There are three typical distinguishing characteristics of "smart meters". The most obvious one is that they are not mechanical/analog meters. Smart meters are digital (note: a digital meter does not necessarily have to be a smart meter, but a smart meter is digital). The next one is that they can be read remotely so a "meter reader" does not need to physically visit your house to determine your usage for billing. The third one is they can tell what time of day you used electricity.
Time of Day Electricity is Used
A smart meter can tell the time of day that you use electricity. It "remembers" the amount of electricity you used during Peak, Semi-Peak, and Off-Peak times of the day. These times are defined by the local utility company. It can track your electricity usage in these three different time categories.
If you are like most people and don't have a time-of-use electric rate then a smart meter doesn't change much for your home and your electric bill.
Time-of-Use Rate Plan
However, a time of use rate plan (which requires a smart meter) charges you different rates for the different times of day that you use electricity. Usually Peak is the most expensive, Semi-Peak is less, and Off-Peak is the least expensive. So if you're gone during peak times (usually morning to early evening, weekends are off-peak) and use very little electricity during peak times then going to a smart meter with a Time-of-Use electric rate could help you.
However, for most people here in San Diego County a Time-of-Use rate is usually not in your favor. There is a small discount for using off-peak electricity, but a large premium for using peak electricity. Unless nobody is home during peak times then most people end up spending more with a residential time-of-use rate. I expect SDG&E to offer better time-of-use rate plans in the future.
Mechanical Meters (analog meters)
Sometimes the old mechanical meters with the dials were not very good at measuring your electrical usage. I have heard of several people who's bills went up dramatically when they got a smart meter. Nobody can say for sure, but it seems likely that their 20-40 year old meter may have gotten a bit "gunked up" over the years and was not reading all of the electricity used accurately. Also, the old meters may not have been good at reading when supplying to highly reactive loads. This is very unusual for residential applications.
I hope this clears up your questions about smart meters and time-of-use metering.
Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It.
It's Free for Anyone to Subscribe by Going to www.SunCalSolar.org and Entering Your Email Address on the Left Side of the Screen (or subscribe by RSS feed).
Contact Us with Your Questions at: blog@SunCalSolar.com
Or Ask a Question by Clicking Here: Submit Question for Blog
Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com
Reply to this
Why should I get a SmartMeter? How is it better than a regular meter? My own meter is definitely due but I want to know what I am buying if I am getting something new. Thanks for any info you can provide!
Reply to this
If I am not mistaken, I think the Colorado Springs area installed these about three years ago. I saw no real difference in my bills at all.
Reply to this