What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is an electricity meter which electronically records how much power you're using and when. It then transmits that information to your power retailer allowing them to charge at the relevant tariff rate for the time you are using the power rather than an often higher flat rate.
You choose when to use the power in your home to minimise your electricity costs.
The benefits of a smart meter for your home
- monitor your power use throughout your billing period, no more nasty surprises each quarter.
- your household can make informed choices about when to run appliances for smarter power use.
- turn on or off your power remotely
- fit an in-home display to monitor your usage in real time
- notification of electricity price rises
- faster response from power providers when faults occur
- easy access to off-peak and shoulder tariffs
The benefits for the power providers include:
- no need to employ someone to manually read your meter each month
- closely monitor when peak periods of use are occurring
- connect and disconnect the power to a property remotely. Perfect for when you're moving in or out.
- monitor faults - if your neighborhood experiences a black out the power company can be notified instantly via the meter.
- set tariff pricing to encourage the use of power outside peak times.
In-home smart meter display
Knowing how much power our homes are using hour by hour, would prompt most of us to change how we use electricity. Few of us check our electricity meters on a regular basis, let alone several times a day. This is where the smart meter can help reduce your power costs and assist your family to live energy smart. Select smart meters are be fitted with a wireless in-home display. This display can provide you with real-time usage information such as:
- how much power you are currently using
- how much it is costing per kW
- when tariffs switch over
- usage comparisons - compare this time last week or month
With this information you can choose when to run larger appliances like the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer to save. It also provides information on how much your appliances are using and how small changes can reduce power use significantly. Little tweaks such as these can lower your power bill each quarter.
- turning the fridge down
- running the dishwasher on the Eco setting
- using cold water to wash your clothes
- switching the air conditioner to a lower temperature or reducing the fan speed
The future of electricity in your home will be much easier to manage and control with smart meters and the associated technology.
For all your electrical needs throughout Brisbane north give our team of professional, licenced electricians a call on 07 3883 2119 or complete our booking request today.
