Smart Meter

[rondrond]

They came around the neighborhood two months ago and installed these:


http://goldsilver.com/video/smart-meters/

*ding-dong*

It was the friendly (cute) meter reader holding two very plain looking boxes (one for my house and one for the house next door)...

"we're replacing the old meters"

(I don't remember him asking if he could or not...I was sleepy and groggy)

I didn't even think about it twice...only thought *new and improved....what have I got to lose?*


I was a foool...a fooool

[aztecan]

Ron, who was that guy?

I guess if the smart meters could do what he says they can, that would be one thing.

But, I want proof. No more of these Republican scare tactics without some concrete evidence.

For the record, I have had one of these on my house for a decade now, installed not by a power company, but by the city, because it owns the power utility.

After the smart meter was installed, my bills have been consistent with the usage and time of year, even if there is two feet of snow on the ground.

So, like I said, I want proof they are eavesdropping devices.

The down side is the city no longer has meter readers, becusae they entire city is using these meters.

HUGS,

Mark

[leatherman]

So, like I said, I want proof they are eavesdropping devices.

it could perhaps "sense" your lifestyle (ie what times you're probably awake vs. asleep via energy usage); but it would not be able to tell when you had company over or used your electric toothbrush (though the meter would know that your power consumption was slightly elevated).

nothing pisses me off more than fear tactics

[rondrond]

Mark,

His name is Jerry Day.

http://www.youtube.com/user/minivanjack

Website:
http://www.jerryday.com

This is Andrew Price
He explains why people got hysterical over this.....(I was being dramatic in my post  sorry, but, I did not read where there was any denial; that the monitoring of your electric usage to control the price you pay for it for using it at a 'peak time'  to 'punish' you,  is real, and a form of spying.

http://www.good.is/post/smart-meters-dumb-backlash/

[tednlou2]

I saw a news story about these smart meters.  It allowed the homeowner to go online and see that his kids were using a ton of electricity, while he was at work.  I would like one that showed you exactly what was using all the juice, so you could make changes.  I didn't know that DVRs (even turned off) gobble up a ton of electricity.  They are hogs.  And, my TIVO cannot even be turned off.  You can put it to sleep, but then it won't record anything.  Computers are big hogs, too.  And, my God, the fantom electricity...lol.  They say leaving your cell charger plugged into the wall pulls juice even when you don't have your phone on it. 

My parents got the electric and water smart meter.  I think they just drive down the street now and can collect the meter info without ever getting out of their cars.   

[rondrond]

It reminds me of Mad Maxx Beyond the Thunderdome:

"embargo"...."embargo lifted"

[GSOgymrat]

I assume Jerry Day wants me to be outraged but even if the electric company does know when I'm using my electric toothbrush I just don't care.

[Hellraiser]

I assume Jerry Day wants me to be outraged but even if the electric company does know when I'm using my electric toothbrush I just don't care.

Ford your compliance builds strength in the Army of the American damned!  Rise up against Big Brother!

Or don't.

I'm kind of intrigued but the thing is this all depends on how detailed the information actually is.  If it can literally tell which device is using power then that's too much.  If it's simply detailing when energy usage crests and bottoms out then I honestly don't care.

[leatherman]

If it can literally tell which device is using power then that's too much.  If it's simply detailing when energy usage crests and bottoms out then I honestly don't care.

unless you electric toothbrush (microwave, playstation, computer, lamp, etc) has a wireless connection and transmits this data , of course there's no way the smart meter can tell what appliances are running. All the meter can tell is that every night at 1030, your energy consumption spikes for 3 mins.

[rondrond]

..... All the meter can tell is that every night at 1030, your energy consumption spikes for 3 mins.

well, actually, there's the download time and then the viewing, FF, REW, ...