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Do I look that stupid? Inga's response Ignore the man behind the green curtain Ideas of KHSD June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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Do I look that stupid?
Meters or rate hike? PG&E explains soaring energy billsSo, they wanted me to go and hear them explain that, in spite of doing exactly what I did last July and August (and I would know--I was there) the SmartMeter thinks I used 50% more electricity this year? And due to the rate hikes, I'm supposed to believe that it should make sense that my bills for those months (which last year sat around $400+ for each month) is now a few dollars over $1,000 for each month? Now, I realize this is Bakersfield, and some corporate types have this idea that we're not the brightest folk on earth. So I understand if they want to ignore my terminal degree, graduate education, and highly respected job in education. But I have to ask them two questions: one, do I really look that stupid? And two, which one of you at the local PG&E offices would like your name on the top of the lawsuit, or should I just go in alphabetical order? 4 comments from 4 users
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posted by
goldilox
on Oct 3, 2009 at 11:18 PM
TO pg$e WE ARE all STOOPID AND HAVE no WAY TO FIGHT THEM ! THEY ARE THE ALL POWERFUL O Z
posted by
jfrancais
on Oct 4, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Corporate types don't care how smart you are, now. They are flat out taking your lunch whether you know or not. We are living in a plutocracy, ladies and gentlemen. posted by
goldfish
on Oct 4, 2009 at 02:45 PM
My bills went from $350 at the highest to $900 and above when I got the "smart" meter. I think it should be called the scam meter. posted by
donmason
on Oct 4, 2009 at 04:14 PM
I haven’t had any problems with my Smart Meter, and my electric bills are actually a little lower than last year, so I consider myself lucky.
All of the Smart Meters I’ve come across are electro-mechnical devices, and are just as prone to calibration errors as are the old full mechanical types. Plus or minus 20% is not unusual.
A couple of easy tests can be run to check the new meter.
1- Turn all circuit breakers to the OFF postion Does the meter wheel still turn? You have a faulty meter (or an undiscovered ground fault). Have PGE replace it immediately.
2- Test the meter calibration. You’ll need an electric device with a steady known, fairly high load. The best to use is a portable 110 volt space heater. Check the device for maximum load. It’s usually 1,500 watts, or 1.5 Kilowatts per hour. Turn all circuit breakers off, except for one circuit to use for the heater. Unplug anything else that’s hooked to that circuit. Make sure the meter wheel no longer turns with that breaker in the on position.
Make note of the electric meter reading. Turn on the heater, and let it run for a few hours. Keep accurate track of the load time.
Recheck the meter reading. A 1,500 watt load is 1.5 kilowatt hours when used for one hour. After 3 hours, total use is 4.5 kilowatt hours. Does the Smart Meter reading agree with the usage? If the reading shows greater usage, call PGE and have it replaced. If it reads less, COOL! Stay with the meter, because you’re getting a discount!
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