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#1
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![]() Bc hydro is selling real time electricity consumption meters ( 2 models) provided you have a smart meter. One can see exactly what is your cost/hr with whatever load. I might get one myself as it is $35 each for the cheaper Rainforest model.
http://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/re.../monitors.html |
#2
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![]() I decided to spring for the more costly EAGLE gateway as opposed to the cheaper EMU-2 monitor. I reckon if I'm going to take advantage of smart meter technology, I may as well spend a bit more for additional functions. Since I have a Google+ account, I'm able to use the 'cloud' features via wattvision.com without needing a separate account.
Total cost including taxes & shipping ended up around $75.
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Mike 77g sumpless SW DIY 10 watt multi-chip LED build ![]() Last edited by mike31154; 10-29-2014 at 09:29 PM. |
#4
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![]() To the best of my knowledge, the billing scenario has not changed with the switch to smart meters. The 'monitors' for personal use are fairly new & need to be registered in order to work with your smart meter. They have a hardware MAC which needs to be approved by BC Hydro in order to communicate with the smart meter. The 'gateway' connects to your router through a standard ethernet cable. It also needs to be configured to work on your home network. I think the monitor works without having to be hooked up to a router & simply displays meter data with no other functionality. I can get most of that info already by simply logging on to my BC Hydro account & viewing the usage graphs there.
In my area, BC Hydro bills on a tier system as opposed to peak/off peak. This was an issue of contention for customers before the switch to smart meters, with BC Hydro promising they would not implement peak/off peak billing. It will be interesting to see how long that lasts. The screenshot below shows the residential conservation rate I am billed under. My rate is 7.25 cents/kWh up to 1354 kW. Once I exceed 1354 during the billing period, the rate increases to 11.27 cents/kWh. Time of day has no effect on the rate. ![]()
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Mike 77g sumpless SW DIY 10 watt multi-chip LED build ![]() |