With technological advancements rapidly altering the landscape of many industries, the energy sector is no exception. A primary example of this shift is the introduction of the smart electric meter. If you've ever asked, "What is a smart electric meter?" or wondered about the advantages it brin Contact online >>
With technological advancements rapidly altering the landscape of many industries, the energy sector is no exception. A primary example of this shift is the introduction of the smart electric meter. If you've ever asked, "What is a smart electric meter?" or wondered about the advantages it brings, this article may interest you.
A smart electric meter, sometimes referred to as a smart energy meter, is a digital device designed to replace traditional electric meters. It measures electricity consumption with enhanced accuracy and transmits this data to the energy provider in real-time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, smart meters allow consumers and energy providers with useful insights. This capability for two-way communication between the meter and the central electrical system sets it apart.
While traditional electric meters need a manual reading, smart meters for electricity work on a more advanced principle. They record electricity use in short intervals and relay this data back to the energy provider using secure wireless communication. This networked communication is what makes the smart meter "smart."
While there are numerous advantages to using smart electric meters, some customers have concerns. Like any digital device, smart meters transmit data, raising concerns about privacy and security. Thankfully, energy companies can use advanced encryption techniques to ensure data protection.
In conclusion, smart meters are more than just a digital replacement for traditional meters. They're a step toward a more efficient, environmentally conscious, and customer-centric energy landscape. While it's essential to be aware of their pros and cons, the overarching benefits they offer, from combatting global warming to providing customers with a clearer picture of their energy usage, make them an exciting addition to modern homes. If you're looking to opt out of your traditional meter and embrace the future, consider the smart option.
Smart (or advanced) meters measure your electricity use generally every 30 minutes across a day, and cut out the need for a meter reader by sending data directly to your provider.
This means your retailer can bill you for your exact use (no more estimates), and can pass that data back to you, equipping you with the knowledge to find the best energy deal.
And smart meters are set to become more common – uptake is already around 30% outside of Victoria (where smart meters are mandatory), and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has set a target of having 100% smart meter uptake in New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania by 2030.
A smart meter is a digital electricity meter that records a home''s energy use in at least 30-minute intervals and then sends that data to the relevant retailer, usually once a day.
Residents can also access this information, but it''s not displayed on the meter itself, so reading it takes a few extra steps.(See below to find out how to read a smart meter).
Smart meters are the successors to the traditional accumulation meters, which only measure the total amount of electricity a property has consumed and have to be manually read by a technician every three to six months.
Interval meters are a step up from those, and record electricity use digitally every 30 minutes. But they can''t send that data back to a provider, so it still needs to be manually downloaded and read.
If you live in New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT or South Australia, it''s unlikely that you already have a smart meter (only around 20–30% of homes have them in these jurisdictions). Smart meters are slightly more common in Tasmania.
By order of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), all new and replacement meters in these states and territories have to be smart devices, so if you''re building a new house or replacing a faulty meter at an existing property, a retailer has to provide you with a smart meter.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory are outside the AER''s jurisdiction, but residents here will still be getting a smart meter as local authorities get their own rollouts underway.
Around 27% of the NT''s meters are already smart, so if you live here, you may have one already. In any case, the territory''s Power and Water Corporation is opting for smart options for all new and replacement meters.
In WA, the main distributor Western Power has a similar program. Around 42% of households on the state''s main southern grid already have a smart meter and the state government plans to have 100% coverage by 2027.
In most jurisdictions, there are loopholes allowing you to avoid getting a smart meter if you don''t want one, but these are limited. See below for more information on what you can do if you don''t want a smart meter.
Instead, users can only access the data once it''s been made available by a third party – their electricity retailer or distributor – or by investing in an in-home display.
The simplest and cheapest way to read your smart meter is through your energy retailer''s app. Powershop, Origin Energy, AGL and Energy Australia all have apps that let you track energy use being measured by your smart meter, while most other retailers will display this information on your online account.
Alternatively, you can buy an in-home display, which connects to your smart meter and shows you at any given time how much electricity you''re using and how much it''s costing you.
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