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Coming Soon To Your Home: “Smart Meter”

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By Associated Press

Published: Thu, May 15, 2008 - 3:02 pm
Last Updated: Thu, May 15, 2008 - 3:12 pm

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Over the next three years, Alabama Power
plans to phase in new "smart meters" for its residential
customers. The meters will eventually give consumers more
information to help them make decisions about their energy use.
The meters will be attached to an advanced network allowing
communication between the utility and the consumer.
Initially, the biggest change consumers will notice is the
disappearance of meter readers since the new meters can be read
remotely.
All residential Alabama Power customers will have a smart meter
by 2011.
Over time, other features will be added, including new rate
plans.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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I went to Alabama Power’s website and it said that we would not be changed over until 2010. Also it had dates for all the areas of the state execpt for north of B’ham which I don’t really understand.

Posted by asda on 05/16/08 - 11:49 am • Report Abuse .

We haven’t seen half of what these power meters can do! A programmable thermostat is suppose to come with them and the power meter can control your heating and air conditioning and your rate per kw will vary during the day,from about 6.5 cent to 30 at peak times,as decided by them.Guess which rate they are going to use most! Getting to sound more like the oil industry all the time doesn’t it.

Posted by carl on 05/16/08 - 11:41 am • Report Abuse .

My parents live in Spanish Fort and Riviera Electric installed these on the homes there recently. My dad said his power bill jumped about $170 in the first month. He complained, they said the meter COULD NOT BE WRONG! So, he tracked his daily usage the following month, and his bill was even higher. He took his notebook down there to show them his daily readings he was taking and they said THE METER CANNOT BE WRONG! Funny thing is, he and mom were in Chicago for over a week that month and NO ONE was even at their house! The power company doesn’t care one way or another...and it is your word against theirs. RIDICULOUS! As for solar energy, yes, it is a great alternative, but it is somewhat costly right now. The power panels that they sell at Harbor Freight cannot sustain enough current to be cost effective. However, if you Google solar panels, you will find sources. I checked on the cost for setting up a moderate system for my home, with the grid and storage, it was around $30,000.

Posted by Razorsharp on 05/16/08 - 10:57 am • Report Abuse .

SHUBUNKIN, There are some around here that does ,I saw their commercial the other day.Harbor Freight Tools sells some 45 watt panels for the do it your selfers. The state and federal governments have various incentive programs to help defray the cost a little. So far as I have got,the biggest saver has been the solar hot water heater.I got it during the energy crunch of the Reagan era.back then the federal gov. paid for about half of it.That thing has paid for itself many times over. About those new meters,there is alot more to them than what you have heard so far,such as being able to shut them down from the power plant and being able to decide who gets power in times of stress for the power grid and more. BIG BROTHER moves another step closer!

Posted by carl on 05/16/08 - 6:24 am • Report Abuse .

Solar energy is looking better and better everyday. Is there a place around here that sells and installs solar panels?

Posted by Shubunkin on 05/15/08 - 11:01 pm • Report Abuse .

If there is a way for the consumer to get screwed then we will get screwed! I think that is in the Bible or something. Didn’t Rev. Wright preach something about someone ridin’ us dirty? lol

Posted by BamaBob on 05/15/08 - 6:33 pm • Report Abuse .

You can bet you are going to pay more! They are going to save a bundle on labor and gas and also go up on their charges. I could tell you a real good one about my incident with them before katrina after I did some changing such as solar hot water heater,solar cells,and all new neon bulbs in the house. To make a long story short I ended up with a higher bill than before, AFTER they changed the meter out. I get the feeling if you use less,as a community,they’ll just up the rates so they make the same or more,just like the gas situation.

Posted by carl on 05/15/08 - 6:27 pm • Report Abuse .

Of course our power bills will go up! After all, they will have to recoup the cost of the meters and, as a minimum, this cost will be past on to the consumer. So I guesswe need to shop around for the best deal - no, wait, we can’t do that because APC is a MONOPOLY and can do whatever they want to.

Posted by nuff said on 05/15/08 - 6:19 pm • Report Abuse .

Rest assured the meters will be adjusted to the benefit of ala power. they replaced mine paying around $200.00 and now paying up to $500.00 a month for operating 1 fridge, 1 big screen tv, 1 freezer, 1 cooler and hot water heater and 1 computer. I live alone and work all day, no air conditioning or heat system. turned off hotwater heaters, got rid of freezer and cooler, bill is now around $240.00 a month. If you check around you will fine ala power is one of the higher charging companies.

Posted by justme on 05/15/08 - 5:32 pm • Report Abuse .

This will eliminate meter readers from driving around checking usage which saves APC huge amounts on labor, gas & maintenance costs besides being “greener”. The savings will offset the costs of the meter over time so your power bill will not go up because of it. And if you take advantage of the information it provides, it might just help you lower your monthly bill. I think it’s great.

Posted by Opinionwriter on 05/15/08 - 5:17 pm • Report Abuse .