They say knowledge is power. But until now utility customers have been left in the dark when it comes to knowing exactly how much "power" we use at any given time.
That's about to change, says Laurens Electric Cooperative Spokesman Jim Donahoo.
In six weeks (September) the utility company plans to start testing its first smart meters.
"Now the customer will have the ability to see their real time energy information. And when you give customers the ability to see their actual consumption, now they have the ability to engage and make decisions on their power usage," said Donahoo.
He says customers will be able to access their usage through the Laurens Electric website.
Laurens Electric says eventually we'll even be able to hook up our appliances to the smart meters so we can know exactly how much we're spending on that load of laundry.
But that knowledge could come at a price. The rate structure will be changing.
"When electricity costs more during the day we'll charge you more and then when it costs less we'll charge you less," said Donahoo.
It will be up to you to choose whether to scale back during peak times.
Duke Energy also says it's in the early stages of testing smart grid technology, and admits the new meters may affect our wallets.
"Any time Duke Energy makes an investment on behalf of our customers that cost is passed along," said Spokeswoman Paige Layne.
But both Duke and Laurens Electric believe the cost can be offset for customers who choose to use the digital feedback as a tool to save.
Laurens Electric says it hopes to have smart meters on all 52,000 customers homes within 2 years. The first testing site will be in Five Forks in September.
Duke Energy says it's testing meters in Charlotte right now and could take 5 to 7 years before everyone is on the digital grid.
Other Changes:
Besides smart meters, other changes are coming to Laurens Electric by the fall.
Block Rates: Customers will be charged a higher rate for power usage beyond a certain threshold (1,000 kHw). This only applies to the summer. It will work in reverse in the winter.
Load Control: Customers can volunteer to give the utility control of things like their air-conditioner and water heater. During peak times the Utility will cut usage and customers will get a break in their bill.
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