Picture illustrates an analog meter (left) vs. a smart meter (right).
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters that automatically capture and send energy data from homes and businesses back to the electric companies — rather than having meter readers go into every building and manually read analog meters. As the demand for energy continues to increase, it is becoming more and more important to manage our energy more efficiently.
All energy meters measure the energy you use. Knowing what a smart energy meter is and how it compares to other meters shows why smart meters are a smart move. The primary factors to consider when comparing energy meters are technology, energy management, data management, cost, remote access and environmental impact.
What Are Smart Meters?
Smart meters are a way to support the new wave of smart appliances, vehicles and renewable resources while providing consumers with real-time energy consumption data. This allows consumers to easily track their energy use for the day, week or month to review, track and make more informed energy choices. Third parties can also tailor their products to consumers’ specific usage, allowing for more efficiency.
Smart Meter vs. Analog Meter
Smart meters operate automatically, while analog electric meters need manual operation. Here’s how they compare in these primary factors:
- Technology: Smart meters use advanced wireless communication, whereas analog meters rely on mechanical mechanisms without electronic components.
- Energy management: Smart meters offer near real-time energy consumption monitoring, while analog meters track usage monthly or quarterly.
- Data management: Smart meters store consumption data intermittently and digitally send it to suppliers unlike analog meters, which lack storage capability.
- Consumer cost: Smart meters base bills on actual usage, while analog meters may rely on estimations without manual readings.
- Remote access: Smart meters enable real-time issue detection and rectification for suppliers and users, whereas analog meters lack such capabilities.
- Environmental impact: Smart meters promote energy efficiency and potentially reduce emissions, contrasting with analog meters’ lower efficiency and production impact.
Digital Meter vs. Smart Meter
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, while both types of meters offer energy management solutions, a smart meter uses advanced wireless communication to send energy data to utilities in real time. This allows for seamless management of energy consumption. A digital meter records energy usage digitally but cannot communicate with the utility provider — manual data retrieval is necessary. Unlike a digital meter, a smart meter provides real-time feedback on energy consumption. This allows for energy savings and accurate billing.
Which Meter Is Better?
The choice between electricity meters hinges on individual needs. Smart meters, digital meters and analog meters each offer distinct advantages. Smart meters are incredible at real-time monitoring and remote access. Digital meters are more accurate than analog meters, but analog meters are more straightforward. Selecting the optimal meter can depend on specific preferences for detail, simplicity or both.
Overall, however, smart meters offer more streamlined processes over their counterparts. Utility companies can use demand-based pricing, raising or lowering the cost of electricity as needed. Utility providers can also balance electric loads, reducing the risk of power outages and downtime for their customers. The convenience of no longer taking meter readings benefits both utility companies and their customers, as it avoids timely processes that take customers away from their business priorities. Smart meters result in more accurate billing, as well, preventing customers from overpaying for their energy usage.
Contact Us for Expert Utility Cost Recovery Solutions
Accurate utility billing can save your large business significant funds. Other than implementing smart meters at your business, you can use utility bill auditing services, which review your utility usage to uncover the potential for savings. No matter your industry, UtiliSave can help find savings other auditing services can’t.
Utility billing audits are what we do, and we give you even more peace of mind with our success-based contingency fee structure. Your business won’t owe us anything unless we recoup money for you. Contact UtiliSave to learn more about our utility cost recovery services or to get started.
