Are You Ready to Pay $50 for a 100-Watt Bulb?

[Zippyjuan]

Yeah, mine did too. I griped, but they said that the old meters weren't accurate. Yeah, right.

I had a one- month blip but then the next one was lower- probably had a different number of billing days when the meters were changed over. Otherwise I am still paying what I was before. (but my bill is so low it is hard to tell).

 

[Tpoints]

My electric bill went up significantly and inexplicably after they installed a smart meter on my house. I'm pissed and have no idea what to do, I really wish there was some market competition.

get solar panels? your own generator? move to a cheaper area? stop using electricity?

 

[The Free Hornet]

I had a one- month blip but then the next one was lower- probably had a different number of billing days when the meters were changed over. Otherwise I am still paying what I was before. (but my bill is so low it is hard to tell).

Here’s a video about students from Stanford University using the TED 5000 because they suspected their PG&E Smart meter was over-billing them. As it turned out, the students were right. Apparently, over 50% of PG&E smart meters were setup incorrectly at the time.

http://www.optimumenergy.com/how-to-test-your-smart-meter-for-accuracy/

You might be able to doublecheck usage with amp meters - maybe you need two (one for each phase) and possibly some brass ones if you've never done this before:





Also, this thing is handy-dandy to have around the house (Kill a Watt):

 

[Anti Federalist]

Thanks for your input, it's appreciated.

What is happening here, in case you were curious, is a long simmering argument that revolved around a statement that I made in a "mandated CFL lighting" thread, where I said that using prohibited lighting will get you a visit from the cops in the future, as they will be able to monitor precise electrical usage amount and what is using it.

In other words a prohibited incandescent bulb being used could be picked up by the smart grid, reported back to the utility, who then report it to the cops, thus earning your visit from Officer Friendly and his pals.

I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I was nuts, that no such system was possible, even after posting links to commercially available units that are on the market right now, that can monitor exact usage on each part of house grid and what type of appliance is using that power.

Every jamoke that comes down the pike, looking to fold, spindle and mutilate my life into some database and put me under surveillance, from doctors to banksters to employers to the everfucking government tells me the same thing, "It's private, there are protections in place, relax, you're being paranoid".

And lo and behold months or years later, we find out that is not the case, we've been under intense surveillance all along, and it's too late to do anything about it.

CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Smart Meter Data: Privacy and Cybersecurity

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42338.pdf

 

[Thor]

the part about a smart grid being able to tell if you have a incandescent bulb vs another device consuming 100w,
the part about getting a visit because of it.

i agree with what is being said in principle [govt shouldnt be outlawing bulbs], but to say that someone can tell that you are using a specific bulb via your homes [bulk] energy meter, and the subsequent visits from a officer, is imo a huge stretch.

Can It Spy On You?

So long as you are using electrical appliances then yes, these smart meters can spy on you. The data can tell whether you are using medical devices, what TV you are using, how often you are on your computer, and what time you plug in your phone for charging. In fact, the CPUC or California Public Utilities Commission adopted privacy rules that will allow energy companies to disclose the gathered data. The SDG&E had already disclosed information of more than 4,000 customers to third parties [3].

That information could be used for advertising on specific people but it also breaks a lot of privacy laws as well. They also pose the threat of terrorism and hacking – criminals could read the data and learn exactly what time you are not at home to break in and steal your stuff.

And... http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/12/121212-smart-meter-privacy/

 

[Carson]

Lets not forget the smart meters put out one more radio signal in some form of radiation that we have to try and live with.

 

[oyarde]

I have enough light bulbs to last I think . I gave 52 cents ea for them . Electric bills are tricky , you have to read on ea bill how many days are in the billing period . Over the years , different places , I have had them as much as 35 days and as low as a couple weeks . Then there is the rate per KWH . Everyone should know theres and what you normally use per day . In winter , mine is about $3
a day , less in summer. I have some lights that are on much , much more in winter . Out building , basement , hen house etc

 

[tod evans]

So long as you are using electrical appliances then yes, these smart meters can spy on you. The data can tell whether you are using medical devices, what TV you are using, how often you are on your computer, and what time you plug in your phone for charging.

They'd have fun with my usage...

There's times I easily spike 3-400amps of low voltage 3-phase, depends on what I'm runnin'....

 

[Dr.3D]

They'd have fun with my usage...

There's times I easily spike 3-400amps of low voltage 3-phase, depends on what I'm runnin'....

LOL, do a little welding and they will be very confused.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Anybody paying $50 for lightbulbs yet? (three years since first post)?

 

[Dr.3D]

Anybody paying $50 for lightbulbs yet? (three years since first post)?

Still waiting. I've got a case of them in the basement for when it happens.

 

[oyarde]

Anybody paying $50 for lightbulbs yet? (three years since first post)?

I would just light all the oil lamps , I have a bunch of lamp oil .

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Anybody paying $50 for lightbulbs yet? (three years since first post)?

I paid $48 each for a couple 100w equivalent LED bulbs when they first came out. Eight rounds of incandescents and 2 rounds of CFL's later, the LED's are still going strong. 100w equivalent LEDs are now down to around $20.

Oh, and the article never claimed that incandescents would sell for $50 each, just the LEDs.

Where I live, with dirty power, we've had incandescents blow within a week of being installed. I have never seen an LED bulb fail yet. I have no problem paying more money for technology that actually works.

What pisses ME off is that LED's are only so much more expensive because their early market share was eroded by CFL mandates.

 

[Big Chuck]

I can't imagine the police being able to get a search warrant based off of a pattern of electric usage. At least not a warrant that could withstand the scrutiny of an average defense attorny. Forget the fact that there are a polethera of other appliances that would mimic such a pattern of usage, such as a few small servers for instance. Showing a pattern consistent with growing lamps only shows they are using growing lamps. There are a great many types of plants that require 12 hours of sunlight. Can the police get a search warrant if they see you buying potting soil? Of course not.

It would also be extremely easy for criminals to circumnavigate such monitoring. All they would have to do would be to run their lamps off 12V car batteries, and recharge them at random times of the day.

I just don't see the police or government being interested in your power usage. Power companies on the other hand have a great deal to gain by knowing your usage habits. Every extra boiler or turbine generator not running at full load is money down the drain. I shouldn't have to point out the fact that power companies saving money is good for all parties involved.

The only reason why this issue is a little murcky is because power companies are really government backed monopolies. Of course no one is forcing you to buy power from them. It might be more expensive, but you do have other options. You could get a natural gas generator setup with very little upfront cost.

 

[tod evans]

I can't imagine the police being able to get a search warrant based off of a pattern of electric usage. At least not a warrant that could withstand the scrutiny of an average defense attorny.

What in the world leads you to believe defense attorneys are consulted prior to warrants being issued?

 

[oyarde]

What in the world leads you to believe defense attorneys are consulted prior to warrants being issued?

Judges should never sign warrants for that . There is no reason .

 

[Dr.3D]

Of course no one is forcing you to buy power from them. It might be more expensive, but you do have other options. You could get a natural gas generator setup with very little upfront cost.

I've seen a lot of activity about people who are not connected to the electric power grid. In many places, if you are not connected to the grid, your home will be condemned as uninhabitable and you would be evicted. If you connect to the grid and don't use any electricity from it, they still charge you a distribution fee. It seems you cant win.

 

[oyarde]

I've seen a lot of activity about people who are not connected to the electric power grid. In many places, if you are not connected to the grid, your home will be condemned as uninhabitable and you would be evicted. If you connect to the grid and don't use any electricity from it, they still charge you a distribution fee. It seems you cant win.

Where I used to live , the electric co op there had a minimum monthly fee of $35 to be hooked up , so , even if you did not use any , you were looking @ that .

 

[ClydeCoulter]

Where I used to live , the electric co op there had a minimum monthly fee of $35 to be hooked up , so , even if you did not use any , you were looking @ that .

The co-op here does that, 35/mth for my shop even if I don't use any.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I can't imagine the police being able to get a search warrant based off of a pattern of electric usage.

Actually, it happens all the time.

http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/html/AR/CourtAppeals/2013/3_December_2013/13-305.pdf

http://www.theweedblog.com/do-utili...arijuana-gardens-with-high-electricity-bills/

Power company decides that a person's light bill looks like a grow operation. Power company calls police, police obtain warrant for pattern of electricity usage, cops raid persons home, and as often as not find not a marijuana plant in site.

So yes, the police already get search warrants based off a pattern of electric usage all the time.