Energy Bill Breakdown

[Dennis Alwon]

I get bills from my power company which breakdown the energy usage. How do they know this or are they just guessing?

Heating $34
Water Heater $32
Always On $16
Lighting $11
Kitchen $7
Laundry $3
Electronic $2
Other $1

 

[LarryFine]

 

[James L]

I think they have algorithms they're dealing with.
The smart meter is looking for rises in usage minute by minute, or maybe even second by second.

It can "know" what you're using based on how much draw and what kind of duration. And time, frequency, etc

Water heater and dryer have similar draw, but not the same duration. And not the time, really. Water heater will be very regular, almost on a schedule throughout every day.

Dryer might be run a while, maybe even every day, but not over and over every day like a water heater.

It won't matter if it's 120 or 240, that meter and the accompanying programs, will know what you're using.

They even have your bath time down to the minute

 

[Dennis Alwon]

View attachment 2555819

Exactly, it feel like Big Bro is watching

 

[Frank DuVal]

I just received a report from Dominion Energy with the same information. Separate mailing, not in the bill. I wonder about the algorithm for water heating, as mine seems high for a propane fired tankless!

 

[K8MHZ]

I am pretty sure they just use a standard percentage for each category and break your bill down like that.

 

[ptonsparky]

I tracked a lot of info on a couple projects. I joked that I could tell when they flushed the toilet. I lied, but I did know when they took breaks.

 

[Hv&Lv]

I get bills from my power company which breakdown the energy usage. How do they know this or are they just guessing?

Heating $34
Water Heater $32
Always On $16
Lighting $11
Kitchen $7
Laundry $3
Electronic $2
Other $1

View attachment 2555818

Metrics.

Use of electricity - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

How and how much electricity is used by major types of end uses in homes, commercial buildings, and manufacturing facilities.

www.eia.gov

As mentioned above, you install a propane water heater or propane heat and don’t tell Duke Power, the percentages won’t change.

 

[LarryFine]

I just received a report from Dominion Energy with the same information. Separate mailing, not in the bill. I wonder about the algorithm for water heating, as mine seems high for a propane fired tankless!

Make percentages with your numbers, ask Dennis to do the same, and compare results.

 

[qcroanoke]

you install a propane water heater or propane heat and don’t tell Duke Power, the percentages won’t change.

Well, I would hope the amount due would.

 

[drcampbell]

I am pretty sure they just use a standard percentage for each category ...

I'm pretty sure they incorporate the month's temperature history into the heating/cooling estimates.