Does anybody know where to purchase, rent, or get any info concerning "smart power meters"? This meter tells the cost of the power as you are using it.I read an article in the New York Times that is very informative concerning the cost of electricity. It seems that the rate we pay is constantly changeing according tp peak and non-peak usage and by planning your heavy use appliances to be used at non peak hours it is possible to cut your bill by a considerable amount.I cant seem to find a supplier of these meters. Any information would offered would be sincerely appreciated.
This actually requires two answers. The meter that is variable as to peak loads is a demand meter. It is only found in commercial applications. The meter is designed to measure large demands of power, like when machinery starts up so that they can charge more to heavy users. To see if you have one go out and look at the front of your meter, there will be a knob on the front glass with a seal on it. This is reset every month and a different color seal put on. If you don’t have that type, get your power bill and see how much you pay per kilowatt. You can figure your costs yourself.
If you do decide to get a programmable meter, understand this, it will tell you in dollars how much power you have used at any given time…but… They cost about a thousand dollars, they must be put in as a sub meter {after the utility meter} and will require an electrical contractor. Very expensive, considering you can do the math yourself for free.