Smart Meters not so Smart

The Age this morning ran this article.

Whilst we at SmartNow are generally in favour of Smart Meters, we're in favour of it being done properly. At the moment, the allegation that the consumer is paying for the Smart Meter, but the power company gets all the benefit are completely true.

It is a real shame that they are not including real-time displays with the rollout, as this is effectively the only way that people can learn to reduce their power bills. Getting a power reading for the previous 24 hours just doesn't cut it.

Peer reviewed studies from around the world have repeatedly found that getting instantaneous information about consumption is the only way that people can learn how to reduce their energy use. You turn something on or off, and watch the power spike or fall.

Instead, with the feedback that customers are getting here, you turn a device on or off and have to wait 24 hours to see the effect.

So, whilst we're waiting for this system to be put right, get a Current Cost ENVI or TREC and slash your power bills.

Smart Grid time-of-use pricing put on hold

For a while we have been slightly concerned about the Victorian Smart Grid roll-out.

Basically, the customer pays for the Smart Meter, and gets none of the benefits.

This snuck under our radar six weeks ago - apparently they're continuing to deploy the Smart Meters but they're not going to be used for time-of-use pricing for the time being.

www.premier.vic.gov.au

In the mean time, whilst they sort this out, you can get a Current Cost ENVI to give you the information that enables you to take control of your own energy use from us at SmartNow.