Smart Meters

According to Ottawa Hydro:


A Smart Meter monitors and records how much electricity you use and when you use it. It then communicates this data wirelessly to a central computer. When time-of-use (TOU) prices come into effect, they will vary depending on the time of day, the day of the week, and the month of the year (summer or winter).

This technology will provide customers with the information they need to make choices about how and when they use electricity.


Smart meters:

- Look like standard digital meters and fit into a standard meter base (modifications are not necessary for most installations);

-Measure and store electricity consumption data over short time periods, usually an hour;

-Communicate electricity consumption data automatically to a central computer, usually by radio frequency or power line communications; and

-Do not automate any customer equipment or electricity usage patterns.

Smart Meters will not automatically result in energy savings. Smart Meters will allow customers to view their hourly electricity consumption profile and will help them identify periods where they may wish to consider shifting usage to manage their electricity costs.

https://www.hydroottawa.com/smartmeter/index.cfm?lang=e&template_id=356

These "smart meters" are the province's way of getting us to become more energy conscious and to create a "conservation culture". On the whole I think the idea of being able to see your energy usage on an hourly basis is a really neat idea. And I think there are really great, easy, inexpensive ways to conserve energy (using compact fluorescent bulbs, covering windows with plastic, turning the ac up or the heat down) but I am not 100% sold on the idea of charging for energy usage based on On-Peak, Mid-peak and Off-Peak hours.

I realize that there are way too many customers involved to consider everyones situation but for me, as a stay at home mom, I am going to find it very difficult to do most of my chores (dishwasher, laundry etc) before 6 am or after 10pm. Does this mean that I will be hit hardest? I suppose I can try to avoid doing it during the On-Peak hours (11am-5pm). I think what frustrates me the most is being told when to do things. I know that it's a choice and that I can choose not to follow their suggestions but in an effort to save money (and thus electricity) I will try to follow their guidelines, but I am not happy about it! There are certain things; like turning down the heat that I cannot do as aggressively as others because of the girls so I guess it's important to cut back in other areas.

I will continue my energy saving ways (using the delay start option on the dishwasher to run it at night) and will try to keep the time in mind when doing other chores like laundry. (You know, it would be nice if washers and dryers were made with time delay options as well).

I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens when the program is actually put in place. They are aiming to have the whole province switched over by 2010 so I have some time to get used to the idea!

What is your opinion on the matter? Please share!