Oh My, This Smart Meter Makes Us Think About How We Use Appliances!
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 25, 2011 10:51am CST
John has finally set up his Smart Meter which measures how much electricity we are using and how much it's costing per hour!
Earlier, I conducted a not-so-scientific experiment to see how this meter responded.
We all know electric kettles guzzle energy so I put it to the test. Sure enough it whizzed up to the 95 pence an hour, which doesn't seem like much, but, considering it shot up from 7 pence (only the computer, fridge/freezer and light on) you get the idea what I mean!
I had to bring the washing in because it started raining so I put a sheet in the machine to dry for a maximum of 1 hour and I took it straight out again as the meter whizzed up to 60 pence lol.
I then changed my behaviour and draped the sheet over the banister on the landing. It's not wet through - just slightly damp so it shouldn't take long to dry.
Before this meter came along there's no way I would do this. However. John's just told me he's actually in credit (he pays by monthly direct debit at last) so I guess I should bung the sheet back in the machine.
Hahaha!
2 people like this
8 responses
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
27 Nov 11
We still pay by the month for our gas and elecric consumption. I think that i need to look into one of the elecricity meter, I would like to know where all of my money is going.
AS for saving money by doing the little things, i hang alot of my clothes to dry, i use the cold setting for almost all of my washes and have cut down the time of my showers. I am not seeing a huge difference, but every little bit helps.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Nov 11
Yes, you're right, every little bit DOES help. I don't shower every day like I used to. Obviously, I wash myself in the sink instead but I don't like washing my hair every day, I'm frightened of it all falling out (and I'm a girl) lol.
@derek_a (10873)
•
26 Nov 11
I don't have a smart meter, but we do put laundry around radiators and when it comes to making tea/coffee, there is always some water left in the kettle. We put this boiling water into a flask we keep next to the kettle. Then it can be used at the next boil so the kettle doesn't need so much power. It is not like luke-warm flask tea/coffe - I can't stand that, but just the same as if we had boiled fresh water.. Well, water doesn't go stale very quickly! I'll have to check out these smart meters... If we can see what we use, then maybe there will be inventive ways of saving.. 
_Derek
_Derek@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Nov 11
We're with British Gas if that helps. I'm quite sure other companies have them as well.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
25 Nov 11
We have very limited electricity as we are off grid and just use solar panels. The ones we have aren't really sufficient for the amount we need, so it's a constant battle to keep within their capabilities.
that is even more effective than a smartmeter! knowing that if you overdo it on the internet you will have no lights at bedtime!
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
6 Dec 11
We actually got a letter from the utilities company early this fall that they were going to change our meters to 'smart' ones. I'm not really sure if they really did. But they say that aside from seeing the effects of too much electricity quickly, they say they would know right away if there was a power outage. And this means they could fix this right away too.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Dec 11
The meter itself hasn't changed..it's just we have this monitor nearby that picks up signals from a sensor placed on the meter. That way the display comes up with a reading of how much the electricity is costing per hour. Not surprisingly, it shoots up whenever I brew up for a cup of tea or get the vacuum cleaner out!
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
30 Nov 11
Well, I actually never heard of a smart meter. but it does sound like a good idea. I should look into that for myself. I am always on the computer and the TV is always on. I do make a few pots of coffee also. So, I will look into getting one for myself. I know how expensive electric is. Now you can cut back on all the electrical use.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Nov 11
It's funny 'cos I was about to put about 3 teatowels in the washer/dryer to dry and I thought, "Hang on a minute, I'm sure I can find somewhere to dry them naturally" and I did!
This meter doesn't necessarily stop me from using things but it makes me THINK about it more.
This maybe useful for you to know.. using this desktop computer during the day (before it goes dark) it costs about 7p an hour. With the lamp on it goes up to about 9p. If I put the kettle on the meter whizzes up to about 85p! Then if the washer/dryer is switched on the meter moves up even more..but comes down a bit depending on what the machine is doing..spinning is obviously going to use up more energy.
I might take this meter into the bathroom tomorrow and see what happens when I use the electric shower.
This meter doesn't necessarily stop me from using things but it makes me THINK about it more.
This maybe useful for you to know.. using this desktop computer during the day (before it goes dark) it costs about 7p an hour. With the lamp on it goes up to about 9p. If I put the kettle on the meter whizzes up to about 85p! Then if the washer/dryer is switched on the meter moves up even more..but comes down a bit depending on what the machine is doing..spinning is obviously going to use up more energy.
I might take this meter into the bathroom tomorrow and see what happens when I use the electric shower.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
27 Nov 11
I am a careless one in this respect.I only know how much electricity we use monthly,know nothing about the power consumption of each electric appliance during a month.However we have applied for segmented pricing,the electricity prices from 22:00 to 8:00 is lower than other times.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
25 Nov 11
Hi Janey!
I would imagine that you could definitely discover how to cut out some cost each month. We are on a yearly budget so the cost to us remains constant to us all year. If I could have a clothes line I would use it. We have a big yard...but my SIL wouldn't want us to have one.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Nov 11
Hello! John has told me that his bills are steady now due to paying monthly, and, it's been mild lately so the heating isn't on as much as it could be.
I guess the meter is an educational tool in letting us know how much electricity costs per hour. The one appliance that really amazed me was the electric oven. At one time electric ovens were considered cheap to run..not anymore. The meter shot up to about 85pence an hour! Amazingly, the microwave uses less electricity but I'm not about to start eating TV dinners. I prefer proper cooking, thanks very much!
@francesca5 (1344)
•
25 Nov 11
that's really interesting, janey, i don't have anything to add, as i don't have one, and it would scare me, though its probably a good idea.
but its really interesting.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Nov 11
It just gives us an idea really. We don't go round switching off lights or anything drastic like that although I now realise the lamp uses less energy due to its one bulb rather than a few in the ceiling light. I guess that's common sense when you think about it.
