How to Read Idaho Power Smart Meters
In 2009, Idaho Power began a program to switch out the traditional electric meters that had been used for years with new "smart meters." Using updated technology, these new meters are more advanced than the old meters. Not only can the smart meters be read remotely --- meaning meter-readers will no longer need access to customers' yards or properties --- but they are easy for customers to read. Features like this can help homeowners monitor their electricity usage and lower their energy costs. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Locate the digital screen on the front of the smart meter. There will be four to five digits displayed on the right side of the screen, depending on what reading your meter is displaying at the time.
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Look at the left side of the screen. If the letters "PD" are displayed, your peak demand usage will be represented by the four numbers on the right side of the screen. Peak demand signifies the highest 15 minutes of energy usage since the beginning of your last 30-day billing cycle.
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Look at the left side of the screen. Whatever number is displayed below "PD" is the service voltage that the meter is reading. The meter will register whatever your service is for, so if you have 120-volt service, the number that will be displayed will be "120v".
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Look at the left side of the screen. If the "PD" letters are absent, then you should see "kWh" on the bottom-right side of the screen next to the display of your volt service. If you see "kWh" on the screen, then the five numbers on the right side of the screen will be displaying how many kilowatt hours you have used. This reading is a lot like an odometer on a car, as it keeps a running total of the kilowatt hours you use. This part of the meter is what used to be the rotating disk that was on the older meters.
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Compute your electricity usage to date by comparing your most recent billing to the "kWh" reading on your meter. Subtract the number on your bill under "Current" from the "kWh" reading on your meter and the result will be how much electricity you have used since the last billing date. For example, if your billing lists "78919" as the Current number and your smart meter reads "79632", you have used 713 kWh since the last billing (79632 minus 78919). You can figure that in dollars by then multiplying 713 by the amount per kWh that Idaho Power charges you. You can find that rate on your billing, as well. For example, if Idaho Power charges you 6 cents per kWh, then you would have used $42.78 worth of electricity at the time of the reading (713 times .06).
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Tips & Warnings
The peak demand information is always current, as the "PD" figure is reset each month after your meter is read. The up-to-date information will help you track when you use the most electricity each month.
You cannot control what readings the meter displays when you are looking at it. You will need to view the meter long enough for it to switch between "kWh" and "PD" in order to see what each reading is.
References
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