Dear Editor:
Outside North America, homeowners and even renters have traditionally chosen appliances, fixtures, etc. for their homes.
Hydro, natural gas, heating oil, water, etc. have also always been much more expensive than here.
These two reasons were strong incentives for manufacturers to come out with appliances and fixtures that save more power each year than the previous ones.
For many years, many homeowners in Europe and other continents have been using small dedicated computerized systems to monitor their home appliances, lights, heating, water, gas, motorized shutters (they too save energy), alarm systems (gas and water leaks, smoke, CO2, breakins, etc.) and also the meters.
A stand-alone "smart" meter, like those installed by B.C. Hydro, that is not part of an automated domotic system will not help us save energy.
How many of us will go outside to check the meter between 7 and 9 p.m., then manually turn off the TV, stove, heating and more to save power? In many countries, peak and off-peak hydro and gas rates have been the norm for years.
In one European country, the national hydro provider divides the year in blue, white and red days.
Each day has peak and off-peak times. Both peak and off-peak rates changes depending the colour of a day and these changes each year.
Only a computerized system can keep track of all that.
Until all the appliances, fixtures, etc. in our homes (and offices) "talk" to one another, the B.C. Hydro smart meters will only be better looking toys than the previous ones.
Jean-Louis Brussac
via email
