Smart Meters Save Energy

A smart meter is an advanced meter that identifies consumption in more detail than a conventional meter and is able to communicate information back to the utility company.

Smart meters are useful because they help customers better understand their energy usage and reduce their energy costs.

Smart meters allow for the consumer's meter to communicate with the utility company. As a result, customers can receive energy usage information in hourly intervals or in real time so they can better understand and manage their energy usage.

Smart meters also allow utility companies to help customers manage their energy usage wisely. Smart meters make possible the remote control of air conditioners and other appliances. For example, the electric utility company could cycle your air conditioner on and off at the hottest point of the day so that you can comfortably use less energy and save money.

This capability also helps customers pay the true cost of power based on time-of-use rates. The price of electricity varies throughout the day depending on how much is being consumed, so smart meters allow you to use your appliances when electricity prices are at their lowest. Rather than running your dishwasher at a time when prices are elevated, for example, your smart meter can wait until prices bottom out in the middle of the night and then start your dishwasher for you.