Quote:
Originally Posted by asianthree
Seco app definitely is a guesstimate. Our always on every month is $19, our pool pump running 8 hours $6. Refrigerator $4
So as an experiment, in March, unplugged everything except for microwave, fridge, wifi. We have Seco and TECO. Pool pump no heat, 8hours per day, AC turned to 79, which it didn’t run. We were out of town, for 24 days, of the 29 month report.
Next Seco report while we were gone. Always on $16 yet it also listed Refrigerator as $7 and pool pump $9. I plugged in everything on the first day of next billing cycle. Following month Always on $17, pool pump $11.
Seco app is a nice toy, but accurate not even close. I found the always on didn’t change much by unplugging.
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its a standard formula based upon a bunch of historical relationships, and has assumptions baked in, based upon your house profile:
Refrigerator always on,
lights on a night, 7pm to 10/11pm, not during day
cooking appliances on between 5 pm and 7 pm
washer dryer on X times a week
water heater always on if electric
Television on x% of the time during day, y% at night
etc. . .
That's why its important to create your profile of house appliance configuration, but also realize that its an average and assumes 100% occupancy rates.
Its a government mandated type of "data->information" for cost savings initiatives.
Electric Transmission and distribution is a monopoly, therefore regulated as such. Due to federal statutory laws, the electric monopoly is allowed a guaranteed return on investments / assets, and costs. Each state oversees their electric monopoly as the customer representative. The state then demands that the electric monopoly provide certain benefits to the customers and penalizes for non compliance for many activities, some you would not expect. Yes, I used to work at a decent size electric monopoly in finance and IT.
So the IoT is a catchy phrase, and different organizations pitch different options to regulators, to electric T&D companies, etc. and some get a thumbs up. This smart meter concept has caught on across the country, and many states are requiring these "data->information" web sights. As a trade off for being a monopoly, the company must provide cost saving potential for all home owners, to comply with state desires. .
The cost of electricity adjusted for inflation has decreased over the years, and has exponentially risen in stability and guaranteed availability. . its no longer a large portion of your monthly budget.