When Is Your Power Meter Read From Duke Energy

Today's batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the existent deal:

Question: Knuckles just replaced the electric meters in our neighborhood. The new meters look very complicated. The display is constantly irresolute like a video poker machine. Co-ordinate to the installer, they connect with satellites to tell Duke how much electricity we are using. Tin can this be true? How do we read them? How do nosotros know the readings are accurate?

My answer: Have you lined up three lightning bolts in a row yet? That'southward when the free electricity just starts spilling out onto the ground. Trust me, you'll need a bucket. Preferably a condom bucket.

Real answer: This is indeed the latest wave of technology to hit the marketplace, and information technology's pretty comprehensive.

"I know nosotros will be changing out all the meters in the area," said Duke Energy District Manager Jason Walls. "It started in May and goes till the finish of 2019."

The new meters automatically transmit readings via radio frequency, and they will largely eliminate the demand for meter readers, Walls said.

He also referred me to a Duke website with oftentimes asked questions well-nigh the new meters, which you can find hither.: www.duke-energy.com/our-visitor/about-us/smart-grid/smart-meter.

I'll hit some of the highlights:

The new smart meters record energy consumption using digital technology and so transmit the data to Duke Energy using two-style communication. Duke says it will allow for faster response to potential issues and should offering ameliorate visibility of your energy usage.

Don't know if you accept a smart meter? Duke says, "If the discussion OPENWAY is on the faceplate of your meter, you have a smart meter."

All residential and commercial customers are getting them, so when your turn comes up you'll be notified by mail of the installation time frame a few weeks beforehand. Yous don't take to be home for the installation, as long every bit the tech tin access your meter, but if you want to be in that location for some reason, just call the number on the notification postcard you lot'll receive.

Here's my favorite question on the site: Can I purchase and install or remove my own meter?

Not surprisingly, this is not a recommended DIY-type state of affairs.

"No, it is illegal and dangerous to do and then," Duke says. "Your smart meter is the property of Duke Energy; removing or tampering with your smart meter may outcome in termination of service. Further, improper handling of a meter can consequence in serious injury or expiry."

So, let Duke practise it.

And aye, the meters are accurate, Duke says, with the smart meter engineering "tested to ensure adherence to established meter accuracy guidelines as set forth past the American National Standards Plant.

"All meters, regardless of engineering science and design, are tested rigorously in a variety of conditions to ensure they meet national standards for meter accuracy and performance before being installed," Duke says. "After installation, nosotros continue to monitor meter accuracy and performance past conducting routine samples and/or periodic testing with certified test equipment."

I know some readers have concerns about the meters emitting radio frequency waves, simply Knuckles offers assurances on their safety. Walls besides noted the devices do not emit whatever greater radio frequency signals that other household devices.

Duke notes the "radio frequency emissions from smart meters are significantly lower than limits fix by the Federal Communications Committee. In fact, the emissions produced by other household devices, such as cellphones, baby monitors and microwaves, are considerably college than the small amount of RF emissions produced by smart meters."

Further, "Both the FCC and Earth Health Organization have stated that the small amount of RF emitted by smart meters poses no threat to human wellness," Duke states.

If that is not plenty balls to make you comfy, Duke does have an "opt-out" program.

"When we're getting ready to install and deploy the meters, customers will go a postcard with a call center listed on it," Walls said. "That would be the place for the client to call for talking to someone nearly their options for opting out."

As far as reading your meter, Duke Energy Progress offered a very cursory tutorial at www.duke-free energy.com/home/billing/reading-your-meter

It substantially compares it to an odometer and suggests tracking the totals from calendar month to month, then subtracting the start month from the 2nd to get your kilowatt hours of usage.

They use an example of a January reading of 7235 kilowatt-hours and a Feb reading is 8390 kilowatt-hours. That would mean 1155 killowatt-hours were used betwixt the Jan and February readings.

Now, if every bit the customer says, his numbers are spinning and changing and you can't effigy it out, I'd suggest calling Duke's customer service lines: For residential customers, 800-452-2777; for business organisation accounts, 866-582-6345. The residential line is open from 7 a.1000.-nine p.m., Monday-Friday; the commercial line from 7 a.m.-6 p.1000., Monday-Fri.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 828-232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com

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Source: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/10/25/duke-energy-smart-meters-technology-house/1749801002/