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Smart meters contain technology that provides real-time power use information to electricity distributors and customers. This should in principle benefit customers by allowing them to more effectively monitor and adjust their electricity consumption.
However, many customers complained of receiving higher bills after these new smart meters had been installed, leading some lawmakers to raise concerns about their accuracy.
According to the Houston Chronicle, a state-ordered study -- commissioned in response to these complaints -- has recently determined that the vast majority of smart meters installed in Texas are measuring and recording electric usage accurately.
A previous study (conducted by Reliant Energy) had found that complaints of higher bills were linked to increased usage during colder weather (an electric heater uses five times as much electricity in one hour as it takes to operate air conditioning for an hour in the summer).
Posted on August 19, 2010 Tweet
Are Smart Meters Accurate?
Smart meters contain technology that provides real-time power use information to electricity distributors and customers. This should in principle benefit customers by allowing them to more effectively monitor and adjust their electricity consumption.However, many customers complained of receiving higher bills after these new smart meters had been installed, leading some lawmakers to raise concerns about their accuracy.
According to the Houston Chronicle, a state-ordered study -- commissioned in response to these complaints -- has recently determined that the vast majority of smart meters installed in Texas are measuring and recording electric usage accurately.
A previous study (conducted by Reliant Energy) had found that complaints of higher bills were linked to increased usage during colder weather (an electric heater uses five times as much electricity in one hour as it takes to operate air conditioning for an hour in the summer).