A smart meter records your home’s power consumption – typically electricity and water – utilizing two-way radio signals to transmit that usage information to the utility company. This flow of data allows for more accurate billing.
Approximately 80 percent of homes is Florida and across the country will have a smart meter installed at their residence by the end of the year. In Sarasota, Florida Power & Light (FPL) has reported that their installation of smart meters on all homes is complete.
While there were initially some worries about health and security of data, but the benefits of these devices far outweighs the concerns.
If you are interested in real-time consumption data and retaining control of your usage, ask your electric utility about a smart meter.
Smart Meter Benefits for Florida Homeowners
Smart meters streamline the monitoring of electrical consumption resulting in more accurate readings and billing. This is how it works:
- With smart electric meters, data regarding daily household use is readily available to both the resident and the electric company. For the homeowner, the data can be used to identify where power consumption is greatest, and to strategically reduce usage in order to lower their electric bill.
- Electric companies traditionally worked with “average estimated” monthly bills, but smart meters send accurate data for actual, real time billing. In-person visits are eliminated, lowering the overhead cost for the electric company. The resulting savings can then be passed along to the consumer.
- Smart meters help the electric companies to better react to outages. With constant data flowing between the consumer’s home and the utility, power companies can detect and resolve problems much faster than in the past.
How Promise Electric Can Help
Smart meters can help you to identify those areas that are consuming the most power – and thus costing you the most money. While you may be able to save money simply by changing your behaviors, there may also be ways in which an electrician can assist in this regard.
For instance, installing a new electrical panel may help to make your home more efficient; as could installing dimmer switches and timers. Once you have identified where you are expending too much power, we can help you to strategize and implement an energy saving solution.
With the weather getting cooler, you can expect your energy bill to go down as air conditioning use drops significantly. This is a great time to have your electrical system inspected and assessed by a professional electrician who can help you to manage your electrical usage and safety.
Promise Electric provides professional electrical services to residential and commercial clients across the Sarasota area. Call us today for more information.
