Electric Meters

bert0168

Two part question:

1. Is it possible for an electric meter to malfunction and give false readings to the power company?

2. If there were a broken neutral leaking power into the ground ahead of the meter, would that give false lower meter readings.

Now some history. I had a buried line replaced at my place after it was discovered I had a broken neutral from the pole that was giving me voltage drops (lights would suddenly dim when no appliances were on). Power company comes out, finds the problem and buries a new set of lines from the pole to the house. Problem solved. This was in April '08.


Now I am receiving electric bills that are DOUBLE the usage. We have always done things to reduce our consumption and this fall/winter has been no different than previous years as far as usage. Same heating system (heat pump, I know ) but we have been running the same system for 4 years and this is the first winter that usage has doubled. No other additional appliances, lights off when not in use. We even added a wood stove which keeps the 1st floor HP running less.

I am planning to contact the power co on Monday but wanted to know if any sparkys had an answer to my questions or could point me in a direction to solve this.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

mdshunk

q1: Yes
q2: No

I'd get someone to check you HP asap. You could be low on gas, causing it to run on the electric backup all the time, or you could be low on gas causing the compressor to run flat out all the time.

By the way, in my area, electric usage is up an average of 19% so far this winter simply because it has been colder. The actual bill per kilowatt hour is up a good bit too, making the net bill seen dramatically higher than the same period in years past.

bert0168

MD, thanks for the reply.

I assume the Power Co. will come test the meter for me, right?

I was suspect of the HP as well but have been watching it for run time and checking the thermo when it's on to make sure it doesn't switch to aux heat which it hasn't that I have seen. I know the winter has been somewhat colder but when I see '08 ave temp only 4deg above '09 ave then I say WTF? I was thinking of getting it checked for gas charge.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

mdshunk

Sure, the power company can test the meter. I can tell you from experience that meters almost never read "fast". They slow down as time passes. If the power company does find an issue with the meter in your favor, I've never known of any power company to hide that fact. You will get a rebate, if one is due. Just don't hold out much hope for an issue with the meter.

Is your actual usage double, or is your bill double?

bert0168

Well the bill is way up but I only look at the usage and temps.

For example:

Dec 2007 2085 KWH billed
Dec 2008 3327 KWH billed (2 deg ave. colder this period)

Jan 2008 2785 KWH billed
Jan 2009 4058 KWH billed (4 deg ave. colder this year)

Feb 2008 2194 KWH billed
Feb 2009 3763 KWH billed (8 deg colder this year)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

mdshunk

An electrician can get your sorted out in short order, but the usual suspects are failures in the heat pumps, water heater, well pump, and any buried lines to outbuildings. Either that, or you actually are using more electricity. Nobody ever wants to believe that.

You can do some rudimentary tests yourself by turning off breakers one by one and observing the meter's dial.

bert0168

No well and propane water heater. I hadn't thought of the outbuilding one. Wouldn't a broken feed cause the breaker to trip?

We have even been turning off stuff we don't really need, 2nd fridge, keeping lights off in empty rooms, etc.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

480sparky

I have a couple good friends (they're husband & wife) who work for a local utility. Their job is to do nothing but go around, pull meters and test them for accuracy.

If it's outside tolerances, they flag it for replacement.

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Static Design

is your emergency heat staying on? what are your line temps and return?

Teetorbilt

A little late but meters are mechanical instruments and can fail in both directions (I worked for Duke Power for a few years).

A complaint is pretty easy. They review the past usage month by month over 3 yrs. and then ask you a few questions such as 'Have you installed a hot tub and use it in the dead of winter?'.

The process is a PITA but usually worth it. Taking you to court costs them big $$'s.

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bert0168

fullspool,
I don't think the aux heat is coming on long if at all. I set the therms to 68 all day to prevent the need for the aux heat to get up to the next setpoint.

I don't know the line temps. My field is wood, not HVAC. I plan on getting someone out here to check out the system for me. Or can I do that with an infrared gun or something similar?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

Static Design

infrared gun are ok, but I just use my fluke meter w/ temp probe. Just go out and see if the big line on the out door unit is cold, warm, or hot to the touch. You could be low on refrigerant which would cause a high electricity bill because it would be on constantly.

Put an amp meter on your air handler circuit in the service box, and see what it's drawing @ 1 degree above set point (on thermostat) and then bump it up to 10 degrees or whatever to see if your the aux heat will kick on. You should see a substance amount of amp increase (if electric).

If not comfortable call a pro, but with high energy rates and global warming () causing record low temps its prob just a high consumption of use and higher rates.

CNC

what fails in a water heater to make them the culprit, or well pump?

olyteddy

The elements in a water heater can and do get covered in mineral sludge and that acts like a thermal insulation, making them run longer.

480sparky

A well pipeline may develope a leak somewhere between the well and the house. Pump brings the pressure up, and it slowly leaks out. Pump is turned back on by the pressure switch, and the whole cycle repeats itself over and over....

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
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Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

danceprometheus

I would reexamine what you may be doing different with your power. Because it could be something, related to heating water or air in your house, which is the most expensive normally.