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Here We Go Again...
updated: Sep 28, 2012, 7:45 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

...This is just like the ones SCE was trying to force on us. Anyone know about opting out of this scheme?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 325630	2012-09-28 08:00 PM
they will be in my area 4/2015-5/2016...have time to check it out!!
COMMENT 325638P	2012-09-28 08:11 PM
My meter requires the reader to tromp thru the landscape bushes to get to it, so I'm quite happy if they find a way to remote read the meter without having to run electricity to it. How does it work, battery? solar cell? nat gas powered?
COMMENT 325657	2012-09-28 09:00 PM
Got mine installed many months ago. No change in my bill.
COMMENT 325690P	2012-09-28 10:25 PM
Ditto to the landscape problem including creating a path down a front slope. I would love a smart gas meter. I really like the electric smart meter. No change in that bill. Wonder if there is a way to opt in sooner.
J S	2012-09-29 08:08 AM
"...This is just like the ones SCE was trying to force on us..." My initial sentiment exactly, so I started clicking through the links in the email to determine how to opt out and, in the process, found additional information about these. The gas company states that these are very dissimilar to the electric smart meters. This does not replace the analog meter; rather, it adds a small battery-operated unit to it that turns on for a second or two daily to transmit the daily use. That claimed transmission time seems believable to me, given that these are powered by AA batteries, and so, if accurate, the radiation from these would be inconsequential compared to the electric smart meters. The gas company also claims these units, unlike electric smart meters, have no capability (1) to track which appliances are being used, (2) to adjust gas availability, or (3) to shut down the gas supply. So, if these claims are accurate, essentially these units simply give them daily use data rather than the monthly use data they already get, something I don't object to, at least until someone takes the time to postulate, in a credible manner, what types of personally-damaging data they could extract from this daily data, assuming they would want to, such as how often someone showers. ;-) Again, I'm providing the info from the gas company above, and I'm not an engineer, but until someone debunks that info with credibility, I'm inclined to believe it, given that these are simple battery-operated add-ons to the existing analog meters.
COMMENT 325750	2012-09-29 08:43 AM
Just to clarify, ELECTRIC smart meters have NO capability to track which appliances are being used UNLESS you have a supersmart digital appliance that conveys data to the meter AND you enable this function. Google "Smart Meter Compatible Products"
COMMENT 325778	2012-09-29 09:41 AM
Electric smart meters used locally also have no capability to shut off the electricity except for some special large units used on some large commercial properties under contract. (If you do not have three phase power or 480 volt or higher single phase, you probably do not fall into this category An electrical engineer could explain to you the size and cost of the type of switch required to safely and reliably interrupt 240 volt 500 amperes of steady state current or a 10,000 ampere surge which are the numbers that main line connected devices are typically designed for ( even though most single family line drops are closer to 200 amperes).
COMMENT 325784	2012-09-29 09:51 AM
Oh no. The gas company will know my every move. My dog will grow another tail. All the flowers growing around the meter box will die a slow painful death. I'll probably start getting headaches.I'm going to pay extra money to keep the smart meter out of my life and make a point about big government.
COMMENT 325796	2012-09-29 10:08 AM
Smart meters, and more importantly, smart grids are coming whether you like it or not. It will help up use energy more efficiently and will be a good thing for the environment.
COMMENT 325809	2012-09-29 10:28 AM
I don't know too much about "supersmart appliances" or any other "Big Brother" science in the 21st century. I do know that on occasion my microwave beeps a signal that turns on the fan in the family room. I don't know the reason but I am sure that is not a clandestine attempt to spy on my family, at least I hope that is the case.
COMMENT 325855P	2012-09-29 11:49 AM
809, I am still laughing. My first question is - does your fan use a remote? If so, then your microwave somehow is remotely signalling the fan to start. Now as to why the microwave beeps for no apparent reason. Got me. Poltergeists maybe? Anyway, thanks for the laugh.
TIMOTHYCAL	2012-09-29 03:00 PM
784 what a scream! But you forgot to mention that the meter causes Autism.
COMMENT 325961	2012-09-29 03:02 PM
Unfortunately that, for the 2 people who had these meters installed, there was no change in the bill. That means the data about how much gas you use doesn't affect how much you pay - so what's the point? I would LOVE the utilities to charge for what we actually use, instead of guessing and adjusting seasonally - that is just too antiquated. It would be even better if they just hooked into the phone line - obviating yet another wireless connection. But i suppose negotiating with other utilities is too much work.
COMMENT 327236	2012-10-03 09:08 AM
JS- Good info, thanks. One bit of info revealed by daily gas metering is whether or not you are home. Leaked through third parties, this info could be used to target homes for theft.

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