Have you, or anyone you know..

[St3ve]

.. actually been raided from a Smart Meter?

I got a postcard today:
"Congratulations, in the next few weeks we will be in your area installing "Smart Meters"

I can't decide if I should just tear down and play it safe or power through it and hope for the best. I run a 1500w flower room and a 400w veg room in a 2300 sqft home. I am NOT in a med state, but hoping that it passes in the next year. (midwest)

any tips or intel is greatly appreciated.

ps- I did read the "Smart Meter" sticky but was hoping to hear what is actually happening in the field.

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

This is just hearsay but from I have read it looks like people are only getting their electric records pulled after they have done something else to get on the radar. Best of luck brother.

 

[resinryder]

You can call your utility and see if they have an "opt out" option. We have one here. May cost a bit but worth it if you're concerned.

 

[St3ve]

What would be a valid reason to opt out? It seems to me that it would raise flags.. similar to refusing a car search.

Thanks for the good vibes MajC

 

[resinryder]

There have been complaints that the smart meters have actually been increasing customers power bills. Then some have been saying that they are invading their privacy. I mean it's a smart meter but it doesn't know what your running. Or do they?? lo
It was the invasion of privacy thing here that forced them to offer the opt out option if I remember correctly.
All it takes is a phone call to your utility for see if that option is available and if there is a cost for it.l

 

[FlowerFarmer]

I would not shut down over the meter. Your only running a few 1000 watts..no biggie.

I have a smart meter in a new home. Its nice knowing I don't have a meter man coming on my property every month.

 

[kmk420kali]

I would not shut down over the meter. Your only running a few 1000 watts..no biggie.

I have a smart meter in a new home. Its nice knowing I don't have a meter man coming on my property every month.

A Smart Meter is different than a Digital Meter--
A Digital Meter can be read without coming on the property...a Smart Meter can tell them what appliances and such are running at any given time-- I gives a Profile of your usage--

 

[supermanlives]

we didnt have an opt out option it was manditory. havent heard of any busts from it yet. but it wouldnt be hard to set up software looking for grow cycles

 

[gtgio]

I've heard of some cases where if a grow is exposed because of a smart meter, the case ends up getting thrown out because of invasion of privacy, similar to FLIR.

 

[farmdalefurr]

ive read reports that these "smart meters" can actually catch on fire. i believe rosebud mag has an article on it (dont quote me)

that would be my #1 reason to opt out

 

[FlowerFarmer]

A Smart Meter is different than a Digital Meter--
A Digital Meter can be read without coming on the property...a Smart Meter can tell them what appliances and such are running at any given time-- I gives a Profile of your usage--

I see..
I thought they were one in the same. While I cannot see my usage profile online... now you have me wondering.

I'm on a GE Digital Energy Smart meter, but I'm unsure if it is actually profiling my usage. I read up on the particular model and while they had a few listed that mentioned load profiling, mine didn't state so.

 

[supermanlives]

if i watch mine it digitally shows the time and power level being used. smart as hell if you ask me

 

[TommyTwoColas]

I don't have a smart meter, but for anyone worried about one they could do what I do (and while not knowing if it would "throw the dogs off the scent", it certainly wouldn't hurt).............have four lights in a column, with only three on at one time........when twelve hours of darkness have passed, 1, 3, and 4 come on.......an hour later, 3 turns off and 2 comes on..........then 4 turns off and 3 comes on.......then 1 turns off and 4 turns on...........then 2 turns off and 1 turns on, and we're right back where we started.

Would require some extra lights (if you don't already have them), but would throw off a simple search looking for a large power spike for twelve hours (each time the light turns on there's a new spike, so there's a spike every hour).

Just a thought - worst case, you get the benefits of a light mover without the added electricity of a light mover.

 

[Anti]

Run a second room on a flip flop relay. The power will surge once - the first time you plug it in. After that your ballast runs 24/7.

 

[farmdalefurr]

ive also been one that has always thought.......

1. pay your bill on time

2. dont have a shit load of traffic at your place

3. have proper ventilation and odor control

those 3 things, including keeping your mouth shut, will save you from being locked up.

no one has any way of telling what your doing behind closed doors, nor do they really have the right to be snooping around. you could be running lights etc. for a whole list of reasons.

just my extra 2cents