Has anyone saved using smart meters?

[pampam]

When I first heard about them, I changed my way of doing things. For the past year or so, I got into the habit of using my dishwasher after 10:00pm, throwing a load of laundry into the washer before going to bed, only using the dryer on weekends, etc. so I don't think I will have a problem when we start using the smart meter in April. I've heard quite a few horror stories about increased bills, but I've never heard of any one actually saving money. So I wonder if any of you have noticed a savings since you have been billed on one.

 

[disneymath]

We've been on a smart meter for a few months now ... we are being cautious about when we do laundry and run the dishwasher, etc. Then again, we were somewhat energy conscious before the meter became mandatory. At best we've noticed minimal savings so far.

That said, we have an inground pool which is still closed for the winter. We are looking at how to safely reduce the amount of time the pool pump needs to run once we start it up again. (We've used a "black hose on the roof" solar system to heat it for years, so that is not a major concern.) Hopefully we will be able to see some savings over the course of the summer (or at least maintain the status quo).

 

[sjsjbrook]

We have a smart meter but they haven't started charging by the time yet, still just chargeing a flat rate.

Not looking forward to it though because I am home all day. Seriously I don't see why I have to pay more for power during the day when no one is home around me at all.

 

[Nahanni]

We started getting billed for time of use last year and our total bill has gone up. I'm not complaining about paying more because I do believe we should pay the actual cost for energy and if we don't lower peak demand there will be a need to invest in more generation - and nobody wants a gas, coal or nuke plant in their backyard.

I think the old flat rate was about the same or slightly less than mid-peak - which gives you a sense of how little we paid. We now do laundry and other chores on low rate times but with children at home all day we still have to live so we pay for it.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

I disagree vehemently with the whole concept of 'smart' meters. I have heard far too many stories of people watching their hydro bills double or triple despite their best efforts. The thing is, at least 25% of the power in your home is non-negotiable. Go ahead, tell me I'm supposed to unplug my refrigerator/freezers during the day. Tell me that I have to not just turn everything off when it's not in use, but unplug it, too.

It's really annoying...I see commercials telling me to keep the A/C at 26 degrees to save money. Really? What's the point of having an A/C at all? Last I looked, 20 was 'room' temperature.

We have baseboard electric heating here. It's not the monster everyone tells me it is--our hydro bill (now, before the smart meter is actually active) is only about $20-30 more a month than a comparable forced-air gas system. Not worth the $7-12K it would cost to duct this place, is my view. But who knows, since I'm apparently expected to go without heat on winter nights (or pay through the nose for it).

 

[sjsjbrook]

It's really annoying...I see commercials telling me to keep the A/C at 26 degrees to save money. Really? What's the point of having an A/C at all? Last I looked, 20 was 'room' temperature.

I also hate the ones that ask you to getthe smart thermostats where they will change your temp by a degree or 2 during peak times, well I already keep my AC set higher than most and my heat set lower then some. I am also home all day so I would notice the change. If I let them do this I might as well just turn off my AC.

Opening windows is not an option in the summer as I live too close to the city dump.

 

[lizabu]

I have a friend wh started doing laundry only on weekends and after 9pm and she saved $100 in a single month. I plan to follow suit.

 

[sjsjbrook]

I have a friend wh started doing laundry only on weekends and after 9pm and she saved $100 in a single month. I plan to follow suit.

Clearly your friend doesn't have 4 children. I would have to stay up all night to get it done.

 

[formill]

I have a friend wh started doing laundry only on weekends and after 9pm and she saved $100 in a single month. I plan to follow suit.

Wow I find that one hard to believe-sites that list energy and water costs put 7 loads of laundry a week at $372 for the entire year-laundry detergent included at 20 cents per load. So to "save" $100 in a month just doing laundry at night and weekends seems crazy-there seems to be no way to spend $100 a month in hydro costs for laundry for the average house? Does your friend wash in all hot water heated with an electric water heater and dry every load for 3 hours or something?

 

[candielips]

I also hate the ones that ask you to getthe smart thermostats where they will change your temp by a degree or 2 during peak times, well I already keep my AC set higher than most and my heat set lower then some. I am also home all day so I would notice the change. If I let them do this I might as well just turn off my AC.

Opening windows is not an option in the summer as I live too close to the city dump.

I love my smart thermostat. Absolutely LOVE it! My gas heat usage has def decreased since we had it installed.

Regarding the smart hydro meter, I HATE it! My hydro bill has gone up roughly $50 a month, a moe than 50% increase. I try to do run my dishwasher and laundry on the wknd but I have young children and whenever I can manage some time to get my housework done, I have to take it.

 

[Sue M]

I'm guessing this is an Ont. thing? Haven't heard of it here in BC but sounds scary.

 

[ChisJo]

I haven't heard of this in Alberta either?!?

 

[cabmom]

We average $210/mth in Hydro. We started smart meters last May. We do most of our laundry at night and on weekends. We have 4 boys, so the machines are going all weekend. I've been trying to get the bill lowered but no luck. I keep the time of use chart up on my washer and on my fridge so everyone in the house is aware of it.
I must say our gas bill has been great this last year. We average about $150/mth. We have a 2700 sq ft century home. We replaced all of our windows last April and I think that has made a difference.

 

[candielips]

I haven't heard of this in Alberta either?!?

The smart meter monitors our hydro usage and the time of day it is being used. We are charged more money for peak times, which is typically all day. We are charged half the price for any hydro used on the wknds and after 9pm at night. It really sucks.

 

[Tantor]

My husband worked in the industry....what really sucks is that when they are seconds from people using so much power ((summer mostly) that they might have to shut power down in areas. This has happened, it doesnt make the news and happens more than you would ever believe.

 

[fnkyyellow]

I couldn't help it but post. Our smart meter has been installed for months, and it will be working before the end of the year.

I have a HUGE problem with Ontario Hydro - the more I read, the more I feel like I'm going to throw up. They are actually GIVING our hydro away to Quebec and some States at times when there is a surplus, but who's paying for it? US!!!!

Like I said, the more I read, the more I could rant! What about the contracts they set up with these wind farms and how these wind farms get paid even if they shut them down for certain periods..... and... and... and... enough said

Sorry guys, the whole thing really gets under my skin!

 

[pampam]

http://theoldcraftsman.com/blog/2011/02/09/hydro-bills-here-in-ontario/

This describes more of the above post

 

[greenclan67]

We bought our house 9 years ago almost to the day! We are on equal billing, 9 years ago we were paying approx $90/month for Hydro at the end of the year we would usually pay between $150-$250 in the difference!!
We got a bill last week, increasing our our equal billing from the $200 we have been paying the last year, to $260 now a month, and after I pay this months bill, I still owe $633.00, you have got to be kidding me. Plus I have an oil furnace, I have probably spend $1200 in oil this winter!
I have ran my dishwasher at night, since we have lived here, cause it is to loud to listen to during the day! Last March, I decided to buy a new washer/dryer, front loading energy/water efficient, because our water is crazy expensive as well. I put my washer on at night with the time delay on, so it runs at night. I do one load a night, and dry it before 7 am. Then on weekends, do my towels and bedding. It just keeps going up. We are going further behind, and the cost of living is getting to the point people can't live!

I don't know what people are going to do.

 

[rjan67]

That said, we have an inground pool which is still closed for the winter. We are looking at how to safely reduce the amount of time the pool pump needs to run once we start it up again. (We've used a "black hose on the roof" solar system to heat it for years, so that is not a major concern.) Hopefully we will be able to see some savings over the course of the summer (or at least maintain the status quo).

Let me know what you figure out for your pool. We used to run our pump during the day and shut off from 11pm to 7am with minimal problems....so I'm not sure when we shut the pump down, since during the day is usually the busy time (kids in the pool, running the creepy etc).

 

[disneymath]

Let me know what you figure out for your pool. We used to run our pump during the day and shut off from 11pm to 7am with minimal problems....so I'm not sure when we shut the pump down, since during the day is usually the busy time (kids in the pool, running the creepy etc).

Apparently there is some sort of resistor or other such eletrical contraption that can be attached to reduce the power useage. I don't know too much about it. My dad is an electrician, so he's going to investigate it before we attempt to use it.

(Our original plan was to shut it down at night, to at least save some, but it would be great if we could figure out how to reduce the useage during peak times.)