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E-mail StoryPG&E: Don't blame new meters for higher bills
| Friday, Mar 28 2008 4:54 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Mar 28 2008 4:54 PM
If your electric bill shoots up, there’s probably a reason — but it’s probably not the new “Smart Meter” on the side of your house, Pacific Gas and Electric officials said Friday.
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The new meters transmit information back to the utility, but otherwise are identical to the old meters, said Tim Vahlstrom, a project manager for PG&E.
“The metering accuracy is identical to what it was before,” he said.
When customers see increased bills, it probably has to do with last winter being very cold or to slight lifestyle changes, said Terry Scott, an executive manager for the utility. A child at home because of a holiday or a malfunctioning appliance also could be a cause.
And because power usage is tiered, a change in the calendar can have an effect, too, he said.
The state sets a “baseline” amount of power to be used — 18.9 kilowatt-hours per day in the summer and 11.3 kilowatt-hours per day in the winter. Power used above that amount is charged at a higher rate. Usage is calculated on a monthly, not daily, basis.
But “winter” begins on Oct. 1 and “summer” begins May 1. And since October is often still warm, air conditioning suddenly can get more expensive, said Cynthia Pollard, a spokeswoman for the utility.
PG&E plans to launch a Web site this summer that will allow customers to examine their own power usage from the previous day, Vahlstrom said.
Customers with questions about their bills can call 800-PGE-5000.