This morning I heard a very interesting story on NPR’s morning edition. All about tracking the cost of your electricity use. How much does it cost to turn on the AC for a few hours? Or the washing machine? How much does that load of laundry really cost you to dry in the dryer?
You can find out if you have a SMART METER installed in your home.
It’s said that information is power but could information mean less power, when it comes to electricity use? Environmentalists and makers of so-called smart meters are convinced that’s the case. They say if consumers could see in real time how much power they’re using, they’d conserve more. But some behavioral economists say no way. They say electricity is so cheap that real-time information might lead people to run their lights and gadgets even more. – from the NPR website
Companies, among them, Google, are developing these SMART METERS for use in the home and you can track the money you spend when you turn on certain appliances or lights. It’s all about saving $$ and the environment.
I know that I cut my electric bill by 30% when I replaced all the tungsten bulbs in the house to those weird looking energy bulbs. 30%!!!! honest. Now if I can ever get my hands on a SMART METER, and see what things cost, I may never toast again!
Here’s the link to the story… you can listen in.
How much power does it take to run a “smart meter” ? The weird bulbs do same significant $$$. Been using them for years. But then again I’m the cheap b$#@%&d who “takes his wife to lunch” (not dinner) at BJ’s. The bottom line with everything in the culture has to be – who stands to gain from this (policy, legislation, device) ? My vote for the smart meter is the manufacturers will stand to gain the most – smart meter – not such a dumb idea for some !
I agree with the economic behavioralists …. people will just see how much more they can run for the money… we are not a society of less.
How about a camp fire fork and the fire place for your toast ?!! Bacon and eggs aren’t the same with out toast. I have a friend that does her toast in the frying pan with butter slathered on one side.
I agree with Cousin K, we are not a society off less !!
I want to know where Old Contidue got his name…I say shut it all off and sit by romantic candlelight…little energy burn there. Skip the toast go straight for the chocolate.