Smart Meter Training
Smart meter training for consumers requires an understanding of how time-of-use electricity billing works. Being savvy about smart meters can save homeowners and tenants a significant amount of money each year. Does this Spark an idea?
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How Smart Meters Work
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Old electric meters have been replaced with smart meters. Smart meters are digital meters that collect energy consumption information. While traditional meters collect only the total amount of energy consumed, smart meters also collect data on when energy is consumed. That technology enables utilities to charge different rates at different times of the day, week and year, which is referred to as time-of-use pricing.
How Time-of-Use Pricing Works
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Different times of the day link to different electricity prices. Time-of-use billing divides the days of the week and the hours of the day into sections based on when energy is the most expensive to produce and distribute. These sections are referred to as off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak times, with on-peak being the most expensive. The peak periods change depending on the time of year and the day of the week.
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Benefits of Changing Old Habits
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Doing laundry during off-peak times affects time-of-use billing. Consumers can alter their habits to save money on their electricity costs in a jurisdiction that has smart meters and time-of-use pricing. For example, shifting activities including doing laundry and running the dishwasher to times when rates are lower, such as evenings and weekends, can cost them less money than if they performed those activities at other times.
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